THE 2020–2021 SEASON
FOR T U N E & M I G HT
Time tests all, And yet, certain tales remain untouched. Tales of power and chance: A knave’s will. A mother’s devotion. Ambition versus honor. And though ink has sealed each saint and scoundrel’s fate, These certain plots cast new meaning onto our lives— Again and again. Bringing us back to our seats And onto our feet.
FEATURIN G FES TIVAL O20 | SEPTEMBER 17–27 HIGDON/DYE
WO MAN WITH E Y E S C LOS E D September 17–26, 2020 | Perelman Theater | World Premiere VERDI
M ACB E TH
September 18–27, 2020 | Academy of Music | New Production HENZE
EL C IMARRÓ N
September 19, 21 & 24, 2020 | The Barnes Foundation | Company Premiere S TRAVINSKY
O EDIPUS RE X
January 29 & 31, 2021 | Academy of Music | Concert Performances PUCCINI
TO SC A
April 30–May 9, 2021 | Academy of Music
AL SO IN FES TIVAL O20 FES TIVAL O20 CELEBRATION CUR TIS IN C ON CER T
Need personalized assistance curating your Opera Philadelphia experience? Please contact Guest
AFTERN OONS AT AVA
Services at 215.732.8400 or visit
L ATE NIGHT SN AC KS
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Major support for Festival O20 has been provided by the William Penn Foundation. The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone. The Academy of Music and Perelman Theater are part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
A S TA R - S T U D D E D SEASON
LAWRENCE BROWNLEE is “one of the most in-demand opera singers in the world today.” NPR
QUINN KELSEY has “a magnificently expressive baritone.” Toronto Sun
MEREDITH ARWADY is “a force of nature.” LA Times
MARK S. DOSS is “impressive...and vocally imposing.” Opera Now
JENNIFER HIGDON writes “music with grit, substance and fire.” Opera News
SIR WILLARD WHITE “has so much presence he can eclipse an entire symphony orchestra and chorus with a mere twitch of an eyebrow.” The Guardian
ROBERTO FRONTALI has “spotless technique and a refined baritone.” Opera Wire
ANA MARÍA MARTÍNEZ “is blessed with a ripe, spinning lyricospinto voice that should sweep her to operatic stardom.” The Boston Globe
SONDRA RADVANOVSKY is “one of the greatest voices of our time.” Broadway World
“ROBERT SPANO has that great skill in a conductor of making every performance radiate.” The New York Times
WORLD PREMIERE
Perelman Theater
Music JENNIFER HIGDON
A mysterious suitcase filled with stolen
Libretto JERRE DYE
masterpieces lands in Mona’s hands, among them a Lucian Freud portrait of
SEPTEMBER 17, 19, 22, 24 & 26
a woman with her eyes closed. As the
PERFORMED IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
painting stirs up long-buried memories and emotions, Mona grapples with whether to save her son—the thief— or the priceless paintings.
The commissioning of Jennifer Higdon for Woman with Eyes Closed received funding from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Female Composers program, supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation. Aurora Productions in the Perelman Theater are underwritten, in part, by the Wyncote Foundation and Mr. Allen D. Black and Mr. R. Randolph Apgar.
Inspired by a real-life art heist, this world premiere from Pulitzer Prize-
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
winning composer Jennifer Higdon
Mona / Meredith Arwady
(Cold Mountain), starring contralto
Museum Curator / Fleur Barron*
Meredith Arwady, delves into
Tomas / Kevin Ray
Inspector / Wei Wu
cycles of family trauma and the
Conductor / Geoff McDonald
value of art.
Scenic and Costume Design / Leslie Travers
Director / Christian Räth*
Lighting Design / Thomas C. Hase
Projection Design / Christopher Ash* *Opera Philadelphia debut
O20
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Recommended if you liked… Cold Mountain The Goldfinch The Thomas Crown Affair
NEW PRODUCTION
Academy of Music
Music GIUSEPPE VERDI
Shakespeare’s tale of ruthless desire set to some of Verdi’s most magnificent music
Libretto FRANCESCO MARIA PIAVE WITH ADDITIONS BY ANDREA MAFFEI, BASED ON SHAKESPEARE’S PLAY
is framed as a timeless political allegory. Scottish director Paul Curran describes it
SEPTEMBER 18, 20, 23, 25 & 27
as “a dark journey into the dark recesses
PERFORMED IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
of the mind.” Consumed by the promise of power and propelled by his ambitious wife, Macbeth gets caught in a murderous web to claim Scotland’s throne. But the
Production underwritten, in part, by Barbara Augusta Teichert. The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone.
crown comes at a terrible price. CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Opera royalty Sondra Radvanovsky
Macbeth / Roberto Frontali
makes her highly anticipated role debut
Lady Macbeth / Ewa Płonka * (Sept. 25)
as Lady Macbeth, whose sleepwalking
Lady Macbeth / Sondra Radvanovsky (Sept. 18, 20, 23 & 27) Macduff / Richard Trey Smagur* Banco / Patrick Guetti
rants about her crimes—“Una macchia è
Malcolm / Rafael Moras*
qui tuttora”—lead to a chilling and bloody
Conductor / Corrado Rovaris
finale. Internationally renowned baritone
Scenic and Costume Design / Gary McCann
Roberto Frontali, known for starring
Director / Paul Curran *Opera Philadelphia debut
roles at the Metropolitan Opera and La Scala, returns to the Opera Philadelphia stage as Macbeth.
O20 & AC ADEMY SERIES
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Recommended if you liked… Verdi’s La traviata House of Cards Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood
COMPANY PREMIERE
The Barnes Foundation Hans Werner Henze’s political drama recounts the true story of Esteban Montejo, a Cuban born into slavery in
Music HANS WERNER HENZE Libretto HANS MAGNUS ENZENSBERGER, BASED ON THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ESTEBAN MONTEJO AS RELATED TO MIGUEL BARNET
1860 who, as a young man, escaped bondage on a sugar plantation, survived in the jungle, fought for Cuban independence from Spain, and
SEPTEMBER 19, 21 & 24 PERFORMED IN ENGLISH
lived to tell about it all before dying at the age of 113.
Co-presented with The Barnes Foundation
Bass-baritone Sir Willard White
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
as Montejo is joined on stage by a
Esteban Montejo / Sir Willard White*
guitarist, flautist, and percussionist—
Additional artists to be announced.
all of whom are called upon to play percussion throughout—bringing the
*Opera Philadelphia debut
epic story of the runaway slave to life with a visceral intimacy.
Recommended if you liked… Phaedra The Wake World Amistad
O20
11
O20 FESTIVAL ARTIST
FEATURING TENORS L AWREN CE BROWNLEE AND MIC HAEL SPYRES SAVE THE DATE | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 THE BARNES FOUNDATION
Opera Philadelphia invites you to celebrate Festival O20 with an extraordinary performance by world-renowned tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres. Kick off another spectacular season alongside the talented artists of Festival O20 at the Barnes Foundation. This stunning evening will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and special recital celebrating the release of a new CD by Brownlee and Spyres: Amici e Rivali, a compilation of Rossini arias and duets recorded with Opera Philadelphia’s very own Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris.
Tables and sponsorships now on sale at operaphila.org/O20Celebration.
Additional programming with Festival Artist Lawrence Brownlee will be announced this summer.
Ashley Milanese
Joyce El-Khoury
SEPTEMBER 18 & 25
SEPTEMBER 19 & 26
Co-presented with the Curtis Institute of Music Field Concert Hall at the Curtis Institute of Music
Co-presented with the Academy of Vocal Arts Helen Corning Warden Theater at the Academy of Vocal Arts
Hear today’s leading singers perform alongside the opera stars of tomorrow at Philadelphia’s two prestigious vocal training institutions. Internationally renowned soprano Joyce El-Khoury (Liù, Turandot) returns to the acclaimed Academy of Vocal Arts to perform in Saturday afternoon recitals with current students; rising soprano Ashley Milanese (Frasquita, Carmen) comes back to the legendary Curtis Institute of Music for Friday afternoon concerts with the young voices of Curtis Opera Theatre. Additional singers and repertoire to be announced.
SEPTEMBER 12–OCTOBER 4
Presented in partnership with The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and FringeArts Pop-up location to be announced After the opera, savor a range of “Late Night Snacks,” as some of O20’s most distinguished opera stars unleash their more fabulous alter egos in a series of informal, inclusive cabaret nights alongside artists across drag, cabaret, dance, and other music genres. Operatic luminaries who let down their hair in the series’ inaugural season included mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who premiered their “bold, sometimes bawdy” shows (Opera News) in Philadelphia before bringing them to New York for reprises at Lincoln Center and the Guggenheim, respectively. Artists, venue, and ticket information to be announced this summer. O20
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CONCERT PERFORMANCES
Academy of Music
Music IGOR STRAVINSKY
Leonard Bernstein famously called this
Libretto JEAN COCTEAU
opera-oratorio based on Sophocles’ tragedy the “most awesome” work of
JANUARY 29 & 31, 2021
composer Igor Stravinsky’s neoclassical
PERFORMED IN LATIN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
period. The drama tells of an entire family’s attempts to evade their inescapable, tragic fate. Making his Opera Philadelphia debut, acclaimed conductor Robert Spano leads the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra
The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM Oedipus / William Burden
Jocaste / Rehanna Thelwell*
and Chorus, with soloists William
Créon and Messenger / Mark S. Doss
Burden, Rehanna Thelwell, Mark
Shepherd / Matthew Grills*
S. Doss, and Sir Willard White. The performance of Oedipus Rex is preceded by Les Noces, Stravinsky’s exhilarating 1923 dance cantata about a 19th-century Russian folk wedding.
AC ADEMY SERIES
15
Tirésias / Sir Willard White
Conductor / Robert Spano*
Chorus Master / Elizabeth Braden
*Opera Philadelphia debut
Recommended if you liked… Verdi’s Requiem The Rite of Spring The Iliad
Academy of Music
Music GIACOMO PUCCINI
Opera’s greatest political thriller returns to the Academy of Music stage, as three of today’s leading voices make their company debuts in a story of overwhelming passion
Libretto LUIGI ILLICA AND GIUSEPPE GIACOSA
APRIL 30, MAY 2, 5, 7 & 9, 2021 PERFORMED IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
amidst the perils of war. Production of Teatro Regio di Parma
Grammy Award-winning soprano Ana María Martínez stars as the fiery opera singer Floria Tosca, who
The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
takes matters into her own hands
Floria Tosca / Ana María Martínez*
when the dreaded chief of police
Baron Scarpia / Quinn Kelsey*
Scarpia (baritone Quinn Kelsey) hunts for her lover, the zealous painter Cavaradossi (tenor Piero Pretti). Puccini’s lethal love triangle unfolds over the course of 24 hours in a fast-
Mario Cavaradossi / Piero Pretti* Sacristan / Ben Wager
Angelotti / Michael Sumuel* Conductor / Corrado Rovaris
Director / Joseph Franconi Lee*
Scenic and Costume Design / William Orlandi*
*Opera Philadelphia debut
paced drama that threatens to leave no one standing.
AC ADEMY SERIES
Recommended if you liked… La bohème Les Misérables 24
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2 0 20– 2021 TIC K ET PAC K AGES
Save up to 25% with a package. Interest-free payment plans available.*
1. ACADEMY SERIES INCLUDES 3 PERFORMANCES
Macbeth, Oedipus Rex, and Tosca
3. FESTIVAL PASS
INCLUDES 3 PERFORMANCES
Woman with Eyes Closed, Macbeth, and El Cimarrón
2. SEASON PASS
INCLUDES 5 PERFORMANCES
Woman with Eyes Closed, Macbeth, El Cimarrón, Oedipus Rex, and Tosca
4. OPERA À L A CARTE MIX AND MATCH
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W I T H YO U T H E SHOW WILL GO O N . ALL NEW AND INCREASED CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE MATCHED. Gifts of all sizes will make the 2020–2021 Season possible. Please join our community of supporters today. In doing so, you will help ensure another spectacular season of groundbreaking performances, unexpected venues, compelling stories, and memorable experiences.
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T H E 2020 –2 0 21 SEASON September
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Perelman Theater
7:00 p.m.
Woman With Eyes Closed Academy of Music
2:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Macbeth
The Barnes Foundation
Field Concert Hall
Helen Corning Warden Theater
Late Night Snacks
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m
8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Afternoons at AVA
Pop-up Cabaret
7:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Curtis in Concert
Festival O20 Celebration
2:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
El Cimarrón
The Barnes Foundation
7:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
January Academy of Music
Oedipus Rex
April/May Academy of Music
Tosca
9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
11:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
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9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 11:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
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30
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8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
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HOW TO BUY ONLINE
IN PERSON
OPERAPHILA.ORG/ORDER
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PHONE 215.732.8400
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