Here is a list of another foursome of operas I am scheduled to review in 2019 and 2020, including productions that I have not previously seen, by British director Michael Grandage, South African director Alessandro Talevi, Israeli-born director Tomer Zvulun and New York director Francesca Zambello.
Billy Budd (Britten), San Francisco Opera, September 7, 12, 15(m), 17, 20 and 22(m), 2019.
Michael Grandage’s Glyndebourne production is revived by Ian Rutherford. Maestro Lawrence Renes conducts.
John Chest is Billy Budd, William Burden is Captain Vere, Christian Van Horn is John Claggart.
Below: Billy Budd (here, Jacques Imbrailo) has been impressed into the crew of the warship Indomitable in Michael Grandage’s Glyndebourne Festival production; edited image, based on a Richard Hubert Smith photograph for the Glyndebourne Festival.
Others in the cast include Philip Horst (Mr Redburn), Wayne Tigges (Mr Flint), Brenton Ryan as the Novice, Matthew O’Neill as Squeak, Hadleigh Adams as Arthur Jones, Philip Skinner as Dansker, John Brancy as Donald, Christopher Colmenero as Maintop and Edward Nelson as the Bosun.
[For my performance review, see: Review: An Indomitable “Billy Budd”, San Francisco Opera, September 7, 2019.]
The Love for Three Oranges (Prokofiev), Opera Philadelphia, September 20, 22, 27 and 29, 2019.
Alessandro Talevi’s production of Prokofiev’s fantasy opera, previously seen at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, comes to Opera Philadelphia with Talevi directing and Maestro Corrado Rovaris conducting.
Wendy Bryn Harmer is Fata Morgana, Jonathan Johnson is the Prince, Scott Conner is the King of Clubs and Barry Banks is Truffaldino.
[Below: The Prince (Jonathan Johnson, right) finally breaks into a curative laughter as Pantaloon (Will Liverman, left) looks on; edited image, based on a Kelly & Massa photograph, courtesy of Opera Philadlephia..]
Other cast members include Alissa Anderson as the Princess Clarissa, TIffany Townsend as Ninetta, Amanda Bottoms as Smeraldine, Katherine Pracht as Linetta, Kendra Broom as Nicoletta, Brent Michael Smith as Chelio, Will Liverman as Pantaloon, Zachary James as The Cook, Zachary Altman as Leander and Ben Wager as Farfarello.
[For my performance review, see: Review: Opera Philadelphia’s Richly Melodic, Laugh-filled “Love for Three Oranges” – September 20, 2019.]
Eugene Onegin (Tchakovsky), Seattle Opera, January 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 24 and 25, 2020.
Tchaikovsky’s most famous opera, “Eugene Onegin” comes to Seattle in Tomer Zvulun’s production.
Two casts share two principal roles. On January 11, 15, 19 and 25, John Moore is Eugene Onegin and Marjukka Tepponen is Tatyana. On January 12, 1, 22 and 24, Michael Adams is Onegin and Maria Costa-Jackson is Tatyana.
Maestro Aleksandar Markovic conducts; Tomer Zvulun directs his production; Erhard Rom and Isabella Bywater are respectively Scenic and Costume Designers.
[Below: Eugene Onegin (John Moore) accepts the challenge to a duel edited image, based on a production photograph, courtesy of the Seattle Opera.]
Taking part in all performances as Colin Ainsworth (Lensky), Melody Wilson (Olga), Meredith Arwady (Filipyevna) Margaret Gawrysiak (Madame Larina, David Leigh (Prince Gremin) and Martin Bakari (Monsieur Triquet).
[For my performance review, see: Review: Seattle Opera’s Melodious “Eugene Onegin” led by John Moore and Marjukka Tepponen, January 11, 2020 and Review: Seattle Opera’s Compelling “Eugene Onegin” Led by Michael Adams, Marina Costa-Jackson – January 12, 2020.]
The Sound of Music (Rodgers and Hammerstein), The Glimmerglass Festival, July 11 through August 25, 2020.
Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard and tenor William Burden are respectively cast as Maria and Captain Von Trapp in a Francesca Zambello production of Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music”.
[Below: Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard; edited image, based on a publicity photograph from isabelleonard.com.]
Maestro Joseph Colaneri conducts. Eric Sean Fogel is Associate Director and Choreographer.
This list is supplementary to previous lists in this “Quests and Anticipations” series of selected operas being performed through August, 2020:
Mozart’s “Cosi fan Tutte” at the Santa Fe Opera, Mozart’s “Abduction from the Seraglio” at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” at the San Francisco Opera, and Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” at the Los Angeles Opera. [See In Quest of Immersion into Mozart Operas: July-December, 2019.]
Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” at the San Francisco Opera and Sarasota Opera, and Debussy’s “Pelleas et Melisande” at the Los Angeles Opera. [See In Quest of French Operatic Masterpieces – June, 2019-May 2020.]
Puccini’s “La Boheme” at the Los Angeles Opera, Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” at the San Francisco Opera, Puccini’s “La Boheme” and Catalani’s “La Wally” at the Sarasota Opera. [See In Quest of 1890s Italian Verismo Operas – September 2019 – March 2020.]
Handel’s “Semele” at the Opera Philadelphia, Handel’s “Saul” at the Houston Grand Opera and Handel’s “Partenope” at the San Francisco Opera [See In Quest of Handel Operas – June 2019-July 2020.]
Kern’s “Show Boat” at the Glimmerglass Festival and Britten’s “Billy Budd” at the Central City Opera [See In Quest of Varied Operatic Repertory – February-August 2019.]
Corigliani’s “The Ghosts of Versailles” and Tesori’s “Blue” at the Glimmerglass Festival [See In Quest of 21st Century American Operas – November, 2018 – August, 2019.]
“The Thirteenth Child” at the Santa Fe Opera [See In Quest of Operas Based on Myths and Fairy Tales – November 2018 – August 2019.]
Janacek’s “Jenufa” at the Santa Fe Opera [See In Quest of Less Often Performed Repertory Operas – October 2018 – August 2019.]
Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Glimmerglass Festival [See In Quest of Italian Opera Favorites, October 2018-August 2019.]