Cincinnati Opera’s 2022 Summer Festival concludes with
CASTOR AND PATIENCE
World premiere!
July 21-30 at SCPA’s Corbett Theater
AIDA
July 22-31 at Music Hall
MORRIS AND FRIENDS
July 27 at Music Hall
CINCINNATI, OH—Cincinnati Opera concludes its 2022 Summer Festival July 21-31 with two powerful opera productions and one star-studded concert event. First is the world premiere of the touching and topical new opera Castor and Patience (July 21, 23, 24, 28, 30; SCPA’s Corbett Theater), with music by Gregory Spears and libretto by Tracy K. Smith, followed by Giuseppe Verdi’s epic romance Aida (July 22, 26, 29, 31; Cincinnati Music Hall). Also featured is Morris and Friends (July 27; Cincinnati Music Hall), an evening of gospel and opera hosted by world-renowned bass Morris Robinson.
World premiere opera!
CASTOR AND PATIENCE
Music by Gregory Spears
Libretto by Tracy K. Smith
WHEN:
- Thursday, July 21, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 23, 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 24, 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, July 28, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
SCPA’s Corbett Theater, 108 West Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
SUMMARY:
A long overdue family reunion finds two African American cousins at odds over the fate of a historic parcel of land they have inherited in the American South. Castor is eager to sell the land to pay off his crushing debt, but Patience is determined to fight off overzealous investors and preserve her family’s legacy. Deeply relevant to ongoing calls for racial justice, Castor and Patience probes historical and continuing obstacles to Black land ownership in the U.S.
With powerful, soaring music by Gregory Spears, composer of our acclaimed 2016 commission Fellow Travelers, and an original libretto by Pulitzer Prize winner and former U.S. poet laureate Tracy K. Smith, this timeless and topical premiere explores the meaning of home and the power of memory.
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM:
- Patience … Talise Trevigne
- Castor … Reginald Smith Jr.
- Celeste … Jennifer Johnson Cano
- Wilhelmina … Victoria Okafor
- West … Benjamin Taylor
- Judah … Frederick Ballentine
- Ruthie … Raven McMillon
- Clarissa/Ensemble … Amber Monroe
- Jane/Ensemble … Zoie Reams
- Nestor/Ensemble … Victor Ryan Robertson
- Cato/Ensemble … Phillip Bullock
- Second Man/Ensemble … Earl Hazell
- Composer … Gregory Spears
- Librettist … Tracy K. Smith
- Conductor … Kazem Abdullah
- Stage Director … Kevin Newbury
- Scenic Designer … Vita Tzykun
- Costume Designer … Jessica Jahn
- Image Designer … Rachel Eliza Griffiths
- Projection Designer … S. Katy Tucker
- Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
- Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
TICKETS AND INFORMATION:
Tickets start at $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.
AIDA
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni
WHEN:
- Friday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 31, 3:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
SUMMARY:
Experience the grandest of all grand operas in this lavish production that evokes the opulence and splendor of Ancient Egypt. As war rages between enemy nations, a forbidden love burns brightly between Radamès, an Egyptian warrior, and Aida, his captive. But Aida’s keeping a secret of her own—she’s the daughter of the Ethiopian king and deeply devoted to her people. Will she betray Radamès to save her nation or risk everything to follow her heart?
From its star-crossed lovers to its thunderous “Triumphal March”— featuring more than 100 artists onstage—Aida is the very definition of epic and a passionate romance for the ages.
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM:
- Aida … Mary Elizabeth Williams
- Amneris … Tichina Vaughn
- Radamès … Gregory Kunde
- Amonasro … Gordon Hawkins
- Ramfis … Morris Robinson
- High Priestess … Jennifer Cherest
- King of Egypt … Peixin Chen
- Messenger … Houston Tyrrell
- Conductor … Christopher Allen
- Stage Director … Crystal Manich
- Scenic Designers … Claude Girard and Bernard Uzan
- Costume Designer … Claude Girard
- Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
- Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
- Chorus Master … Henri Venanzi
- Choreographer … Michael Pappalardo
Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus
TICKETS AND INFORMATION:
Tickets start at $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.
MORRIS AND FRIENDS
WHEN:
- Wednesday, July 27, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
SUMMARY:
World-renowned bass and Cincinnati Opera Artistic Advisor Morris Robinson hosts and curates a special, one-night-only concert of opera and gospel on the Music Hall stage. Experience the power of some of today’s top opera singers and musicians who have gospel music roots and are making their mark across the performing arts world.
FEATURING:
- Morris Robinson, bass
with - Jacqueline Echols, soprano
- Tichina Vaughn, mezzo-soprano
- Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
- Will Liverman, baritone
- Reginald Smith Jr., baritone
- Russell Thomas, tenor
- Damien Sneed, piano
- Kazem Abdullah, conductor
With the Cincinnati United Choir and HBCU Collective and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
TICKETS AND INFORMATION:
Tickets start at $35. To order, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org.
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. Castor and Patience Production Underwriter is David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. 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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