Cincinnati Opera’s 2022 Summer Festival Continues July 6-10

FIERCE
July 6-10 at SCPA’s Corbett Theater
A heartwarming coming-of-age story inspired by Cincinnati teen girls

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
July 7-10 at Music Hall
A perfectly preposterous high-seas adventure

CINCINNATI, OH—This July 6 through 10, Cincinnati Opera continues its 2022 Summer Festival with two uplifting productions: the world premiere of FIERCE (July 6, 9, 10 at SCPA’s Corbett Theater), with music by William Menefield and libretto by Sheila Williams, and Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (July 7, 8, 10 at Cincinnati Music Hall).

FIERCE (world premiere)
Music by William Menefield
Libretto by Sheila Williams

When:

• Wednesday, July 6, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 9, 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 10, 7:30 p.m.

Where: SCPA’S Corbett Theater, 108 West Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Summary:
Four teenage girls gather for a workshop on writing an effective college essay. The teacher asks, “Tell me who you are,” prompting each young woman to share her story. One mourns the loss of a special friend, while another hides behind her popularity. The third feels constrained by her parents’ expectations, and the last faces a troubled home life. Despite the chorus of trolls that taunts them, the girls unite, embarking on a transformative journey toward empowerment and self-assurance.

With authenticity and sensitivity, Northern Kentucky-based novelist Sheila Williams interviewed local teen girls to inspire the opera’s story, while Cincinnati native William Menefield employed jazz, modern, Afro-Cuban, R&B, and classical music styles in its high-energy score. D. Lynn Meyers, producing artistic director of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, makes her opera directing debut. Fierce is presented in partnership with three creative organizations that serve Cincinnati-area youth: WordPlay Cincy, Music Resource Center—Cincinnati, and i.imagine.

Cast and Creative Team:

• Rumer … Megan Graves
• Nyomi … Victoria Ellington
• Morgan … Alicia Russell Tagert
• Vesta … Lauren McAllister
• Ms. Lee-Adler/Mary/Troll 4 … Wendy Hill
• Troll 1 / John … M. Andrew Jones
• Troll 2 / Jim …  Antonio Cruz
• Troll 3 / Jackie / Margaret … Indra Thomas

• Composer … William Menefield
• Librettist … Sheila Williams
• Conductor … Joseph Young
• Stage Director … D. Lynn Meyers
• Production Designer … Samantha Reno
• Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
• Projection Designer … Jessica Drayton
• Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
• Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Tickets and Information:
Tickets are $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by W.S. Gilbert

When:

• Thursday, July 7, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 10, 3:00 p.m.

Where: Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Summary:
Frederic, an orphan apprenticed to a lively band of pirates, will soon celebrate his 21st birthday, when he’ll be free to pursue a life—and love—all his own. The charming Mabel catches his eye, and she’s supremely smitten in return. But the crafty Pirate King finds a loophole in Frederic’s contract, setting the young lovers’ future upon stormy seas. Will Frederic and Mabel steer their way to a happily-ever-after?

With vibrant sets and costumes, memorable tunes, and rapid-fire laughs, Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious The Pirates of Penzance is a modern, major spectacle, perfect for the entire family.

Cast and Creative Team:

• Major-General Stanley … Patrick Carfizzi
• The Pirate King … Zachary James
• Frederic … David Walton
• Mabel … Lauren Snouffer
• Ruth … Amber Wagner
• Sergeant of Police … Samuel Smith
• Samuel … Mark Diamond
• Edith … Marlen Nahhas
• Kate … Jasmin White
• Isabel … Christina Hazen

• Conductor … David Agler
• Stage Director and Choreographer … Seán Curran
• Scenic and Costume Designer … James Schuette
• Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
• Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
• Chorus Master … Henri Venanzi
• Fight Director … Gina Cerimele-Mechley

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

Tickets and Information:
Tickets start at $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.

Looking ahead:

Cincinnati Opera
2022 Summer Festival

CASTOR AND PATIENCE (world premiere)
By Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith
July 21, 23, 24, 28 & 30 at SCPA’s Corbett Theater

AIDA
By Giuseppe Verdi
July 22, 26, 29 & 31 at Music Hall

Special concert event!
MORRIS AND FRIENDS
An evening of opera and gospel hosted by world-renowned bass Morris Robinson
July 27 at Music Hall

Visit cincinnatiopera.org for complete details.

About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences.

Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.

Season Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 Summer Festival is Huntington. Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Cincinnati Opera also receives season support from the Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Media partners are 90.9 WGUC and 91.7 WVXU. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America.

For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

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