Opera for All. Festival O19 | Spring 2020
Its name has not changed: opera remains opera. A NEW KIND OF CO MEDY And yet, it is wondrously new— A N E W K I N D O F M Y T H The fusion of yesterday and tomorrow. A N E W K I N D O F T R A G E D Y Monologue and moving arias. A N E W K I N D O F S AT I R E Quintessential themes and otherworldly stagings. A N E W K I N D O F E U L O G Y A renaissance that welcomes the uninitiated and rekindles adoration. A N E W K I N D O F C L A S S I C Experience a new kind of opera.
F E S T I VA L O 1 9 September 18 – 29
The Love for Three Oranges September 20, 22, 27 & 29 | Academy of Music
Semele
September 19, 21, 24, 26 & 28 | Perelman Theater
Denis & Katya
September 18, 19, 21 – 23, 25, 26, 28 & 29 | The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Let Me Die
September 21, 22, 25 – 28 | FringeArts
Curtis in Concert
September 21, 22, 28 & 29 | Curtis Institute of Music
Major support for Festival O19 has been provided by the William Penn Foundation.
SPRING 2020 Verdi’s Requiem
January 31 & February 2 | Academy of Music
Madame Butterfly
April 24, 26 & 29, May 1 & 3 | Academy of Music
For personalized assistance curating your Opera Philadelphia experience, contact Guest Services at 215.732.8400 or visit operaphila.org/order.
C O M PA N Y P R E M I E R E
THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES Academy of Music A favorite of Opera Philadelphia’s Music Director Corrado Rovaris, this rarely seen musical gem is a fun, fantastical farce. Opulent stage design, a kingdom of colorful characters, and some of Prokofiev’s most energetic, accessible music combine for a seriously funny opera about a melancholic prince and his cursed quest for love. Music
adaptation of the play by
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
SEPTEMBER 20, 22, 27 & 29
Libretto
PERFORMED IN ENGLISH
Production of Maggio
SERGEI PROKOFIEV AND
WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
Musicale Fiorentino
VERA JANACOPOULOS
Carlo Gozzi
A New Kind Of Comedy
#THREEORANGES
Based on Vsevolod Meyerhold’s
The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone. The Academy of Music is part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
C A S T & C R E AT I V E T E A M The King of Clubs / Scott Conner*
Ninette / Tiffany Townsend*
Conductor / Corrado Rovaris
The Prince / Jonathan Johnson*
The Cook / Zachary James
Director / Alessandro Talevi*
Truffaldino / Barry Banks*
Smeraldine / Amanda Bottoms*
Scenic Design / Justin Arienti*
Fata Morgana / Wendy Bryn Harmer*
Pantalone / Will Liverman
Costume Design / Manuel Pedretti*
Princess Clarissa / Alissa Anderson*
Linette / Katherine Pracht
Lighting Design / Giuseppe Calabro*
Leandro / Zachary Altman
Nicolette / Kendra Broom*
The Magician Tchelio / Brent Michael Smith
Farfarello / Ben Wager
O 19
5
*Opera Philadelphia debut
C O M PA N Y P R E M I E R E
SEMELE Perelman Theater Rife with themes of unbridled love, jealousy, and revenge, Semele gets an energetic makeover courtesy of visionary director James Darrah (Breaking the Waves). Featuring Handel’s most glorious orchestral and virtuosic vocal writing, Semele transports audiences to the world of Greek and Roman mythology and its larger-than-life personas: from lustful gods and vengeful goddesses to fallible mortals. A New Kind Of Myth
Music
#SEMELE
Co-produced with Opera Omaha
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
SEPTEMBER 19, 21, 24, 26 & 28
Libretto
PERFORMED IN ENGLISH WITH
WILLIAM CONGREVE
ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
After Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”
Aurora Productions in the Perelman Theater are underwritten, in part, by the Wyncote Foundation at the recommendation of Frederick R. Haas. The Perelman Theater is part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
C A S T & C R E AT I V E T E A M Semele / Amanda Forsythe*
Conductor / Gary Thor Wedow
Jupiter, Apollo / Alek Shrader
Director / James Darrah
Juno, Ino / Daniela Mack
Scenic & Lighting Design / Cameron Mock* and Emily MacDonald*
Athamas / Tim Mead
Costume Design / Sarah Schuessler*
Cadmus, Somnus / Alex Rosen*
Projection Design / Adam Larsen
Iris / Sarah Shafer
O 19
*Opera Philadelphia debut
7
WORLD PREMIERE
DENIS & KATYA The Suzanne Roberts Theatre Composer Philip Venables and director Ted Huffman—the duo behind the award-winning 4.48 Psychosis—team up once again on this powerful, ripped-from-the-headlines world premiere about the deaths of two 15-year-old runaways. While in the midst of a standoff with Russian Special Forces, the couple broadcast themselves live on social media, creating a spectacle of real-time voyeurism, and have production uses verbatim text to examine the vast public response to these events, what that reveals about our society, and what it means to make an opera out of it.
Co-commissioned and co-produced with Music Theatre Wales and Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier
SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 21 – 23,
Music
25, 26, 28 & 29
PHILIP VENABLES
PERFORMED IN ENGLISH
Libretto
A New Kind of Tragedy
# D E N I S A N D K AT YA
since become the Romeo and Juliet of internet clickbait. This multimedia
AND RUSSIAN WITH
TED HUFFMAN
ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
Major support for Denis & Katya has been provided by the William Penn Foundation.
C A S T & C R E AT I V E T E A M Theo Hoffman*
Director / Ted Huffman*
Siena Licht Miller
Co-Creator and Dramaturge / Ksenia Ravvina*
Johnny Herford*
Music Director / Emily Senturia*
Emily Edmonds*
Scenic & Lighting Design / Andrew Lieberman Costume Design / Millie Hiibel* Sound Design / Rob Kaplowitz Projection Design / Pierre Martin*
O 19
9
*Opera Philadelphia debut
WORLD PREMIERE
LET ME DIE FringeArts Joseph Keckler brings his sharp wit and rich, versatile voice to this world premiere “aria-logue” interweaving snippets of famous death scenes from dozens of canonic operas with his own music and signature comedic storytelling. Sardonic in all the right ways, this biting commentary on the grim portrayal of the state of opera features video and piano accompaniment in a nuanced and playful
#LETMEDIE
Presented in partnership with FringeArts as part of the 2019 Fringe Festival
SEPTEMBER 21, 22, 25 – 28 From the mind of
PERFORMED IN ENGLISH
JOSEPH KECKLER
AND OTHER LANGUAGES WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
Major support for Let Me Die has been provided by the William Penn Foundation.
O 19
11
A New Kind Of Satire
exploration of opera’s fascination with death.
CELEBRATE
20 YEARS WITH
MAESTRO ROVARIS Opera News says Corrado Rovaris has “presided over a
The 2019-2020 Season celebrates our Jack Mulroney Music
striking evolution at Opera Philadelphia.” Since making
Director on the 20th anniversary of his Opera Philadelphia
his U.S. debut with the company in Mozart’s The Marriage
debut. Corrado will conduct The Love for Three Oranges in
of Figaro in 1999, Maestro Rovaris has built an international
September, Verdi’s Requiem in winter, and the spring production
reputation for his fine musicianship and leadership.
of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, all at the Academy of Music.
Festival O19 Celebration H O N O R I N G M A E S T R O R OVA R I S
S AV E T H E DAT E Saturday,
SEPTEMBER
21 2019
Sponsorships now on sale at operaphila.org/O19Celebration Single tickets on sale May 15
Opera Philadelphia invites you to celebrate Festival O19 with a stunning evening in the Academy of Music in honor of Maestro Rovaris. Kick off another spectacular season with an array of talented O19 artists. The evening will feature a performance by a special guest artist and a seated dinner on the stage of the Academy of Music surrounded by the beautiful set of Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges.
O 19
13
S E P T E M B E R 2 1 , 2 2 , 2 8 & 2 9 12:00 P.M.
CURTIS FIELD CONCERT HALL
in Concert
CO-PRESENTED WITH THE CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC Singers trained at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, including renowned sopranos Karen Slack and Rachel Sterrenberg, perform in recital at the historic and intimate Field Concert Hall. A full lineup of vocalists and repertoire will be announced prior to O19.
A FES TIVAL NOT TO BE MISSED
“ A hotbed of operatic innovation.” The New York Times “ Philadelphia is reaffirming that classical music has a legit place in 21st century American art.” The Denver Post “ This citywide festival runs the
“ A model for innovation in
gamut of operatic ingenuity.”
the classical music industry.”
The New Yorker
Opera News
“Opera in Philadelphia really can claim to offer something for everyone.”
The Washington Post
“ I feel grateful to live in Philly.” Parterre Box
O 19
15
CONCERT PERFORMANCES
VERDI’S REQUIEM Academy of Music In celebration of Corrado Rovaris’s 20th anniversary with Opera Philadelphia, the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus take center stage in what NPR has called “a conductor’s dream come true”: Verdi’s Requiem. Joining soloists Leah Crocetto (Don Carlo), Daniela Mack (Carmen), Evan LeRoy Johnson (Carmen), and In-Sung Sim are more than
#REQUIEM
exploration of the full range of human emotions experienced during the Roman Catholic mass for the dead.
JANUARY 31 & FEBRUARY 2, 2020
Music GIUSEPPE VERDI
PERFORMED IN LATIN
A New Kind of Eulogy
80 instrumentalists and 100 choristers, resulting in a dramatic
The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone. The Academy of Music is part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
C A S T & C R E AT I V E T E A M Soprano / Leah Crocetto
Conductor / Corrado Rovaris
Mezzo / Daniela Mack
Chorus Master / Elizabeth Braden
Tenor / Evan LeRoy Johnson Bass / In-Sung Sim*
2020
*Opera Philadelphia debut
17
MADAME BUTTERFLY Academy of Music What sacrifices will one make in the name of love? Director Ted Huffman eloquently unravels Puccini’s 115-year-old musical masterpiece for today’s audiences, elevating what was once considered a period piece into a modern-day commentary on power dynamics and Western exploitation, set soaring with its achingly beautiful score.
APRIL 24, 26 & 29,
GIACOMO PUCCINI Production of Opernhaus Zürich
MAY 1 & 3, 2020
Libretto
PERFORMED IN ITALIAN
GIUSEPPE GIACOSA
WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
AND LUIGI ILLICA
The Academy Series is underwritten, in part, by Judy and Peter Leone. The Academy of Music is part of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
A New Kind Of Classic
# M A DA M E B U T T E R F LY
Music
C A S T & C R E AT I V E T E A M Cio-Cio San / Eri Nakamura*
Conductor / Corrado Rovaris
Pinkerton / Bryan Hymel
Director / Ted Huffman
Sharpless / Anthony Clark Evans*
Scenic Design / Michael Levine
Suzuki / Kristen Choi*
Costume Design / Annemarie Woods*
Goro / Julius Ahn
Lighting Design / Franck Evin*
Bonze / Wei Wu* Prince Yamadori / Takaoki Onishi*
2020
*Opera Philadelphia debut
19
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P I C T U R E O P E R A . O R G
2 019 – 2 0 2 0 T I C K E T PA C K A G E S
1. 2.
Festival Pass Includes 3 performances: The Love for Three Oranges, Semele, and Denis & Katya Premium Seating Standard Seating Value Seating
$500 $300 $140
S AV E U P T O 21 %
Augment your Festival Pass by adding any of the À La Carte operas listed below
Season Pass Includes 6 performances: The Love for Three Oranges, Semele, Denis & Katya, Let Me Die, Verdi’s Requiem, and Madame Butterfly Premium Seating Standard Seating Value Seating
$900 $525 $250
S AV E U P T O 2 6 %
Season Pass includes complimentary ticket exchanges and admission to all four Curtis recitals
Buy a pass and get the best benefits No handling fees 5-month payment plan** Invitations to Private Sales
Be at the front of the line for the best seats in the house Your choice of performances and dates* Access to VIP Services concierge phone line
3. EVENT
Opera À La Carte
VENUE
THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES MADAME BUTTERFLY
DAY
ZONE 1
ZONE 2
ZONE 3
ZONE 4
ZONE 5
Sunday
$240
$184
$128
$80
$48
$221
$165
$109
$69
$45
All
$168
$128
$88
$56
$48
Sept. 19, 21, 28
$144
$104
$72
$48
$24
Sept. 24, 26
$128
$88
$56
$40
$17
Sept. 18, 21, 28
$120
$72
$48
$72
$48
$32
ACADEMY Wednesday / Friday
VERDI’S REQUIEM
ACADEMY
SEMELE
PERELMAN
DENIS & KATYA
SUZANNE ROBERTS
Sept. 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29
LET ME DIE
CURTIS IN CONCERT
B U Y T WO O R M O R E A N D S AV E 2 0 %
Sept. 21, 27, 28
$48
Sept. 22, 25, 26
$32
Sept. 21, 22, 28, 29
$16
FRINGEARTS
CURTIS
F E S T I VA L O 19 & S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 September
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Th
Fr i
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Tu
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28
29
I N C L U D E D I N T H E F E S T I VA L PA S S
Academy of Music
The Love for Three Oranges
8:00 p.m.
Perelman Theater
Semele
The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Denis & Katya
7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
FringeArts
Let Me Die
Field Concert Hall
8:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
Curtis in Concert
2:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m.
Academy of Music
Festival O19 Celebration
January/February Academy of Music
Verdi’s Requiem
April/May Academy of Music
Madame Butterfly
7:00 p.m.
Fr i
Sa
Su
31
1
2
8:00 p.m
2:00 p.m.
Fr i
Sa
Su
M
Tu
W
Th
Fr i
Sa
Su
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
O R D E R BY M AY 1 , 2 019 T O L O C K I N YO U R P R I C E ! ONLINE
IN PERSON
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Seating priority is based on current donor level, number of years as a donor, number of years as a subscriber, package type, and date order is received. Casting, program, schedule, and pricing subject to change without notice. Deposited checks or charges do not guarantee seating availability. *Subject to availability **5-month payment plan available through March 20, 2019
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