CINCINNATI (October 3, 2023)—On Sunday evenings this November, Cincinnati Opera will partner with 90.9 WGUC, Cincinnati’s classical public radio station, to broadcast productions from its 2023 Summer Festival. Each broadcast will begin at 8 p.m. ET. You can listen on air at 90.9 FM and online at wguc.org.
Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival took place June 22–July 29, 2023, at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall. The operas to be broadcast include Lucia di Lammermoor, The Knock (world stage premiere), The Barber of Seville, and Madame Butterfly. For additional details, please visit wguc.org.
The 2023 Summer Festival broadcasts are made possible through the generous cooperation of Local 1, the Cincinnati chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, and the American Guild of Musical Artists. Thank you to the Louis and Louise Nippert Charitable Foundation and The Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund and The Victoria L. Memmel Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation for their support of WGUC’s broadcasts of Cincinnati Opera and its 2023 season. Opera broadcasts on 90.9 WGUC are financially assisted by The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees.
CINCINNATI OPERA’S 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL ON 90.9 WGUC
Broadcast Schedule:
Sunday, November 5 | 8 p.m. ET
Lucia di Lammermoor
Originally performed June 22 and 24, 2023, at Cincinnati Music Hall
Music by Gaetano Donizetti; libretto by Salvadore Cammarano
Renato Balsadonna, conductor; Jose Maria Condemi, stage director
Featuring Raven McMillon, Santiago Ballerini, Anthony Clark Evans, Griffen Hogan Tracy, Terrence Chin-Loy, Sahel Salam, Kayleigh Decker; Cincinnati Opera Chorus; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Description:
Based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor, this operatic thriller set in the Scottish Highlands shows how thwarted desire can lead to deadly extremes. At Lammermoor Castle, Lucia and Edgardo are engaged in a secret affair. Despite their families’ age-old feud, they vow to give everything up for love. But Lucia’s disapproving brother endeavors to undo the lovers’ promise and marry Lucia off in a more lucrative union. The deception becomes a curse, and once hope for love is lost, Lucia and Edgardo make terrible new vows, culminating in one of opera’s bloodiest finales.
Sunday, November 12 | 8 p.m. ET
The Knock (world stage premiere)
Originally performed June 23 and 27, July 2, 5 and 7, 2023, at Cincinnati Music Hall
Music by Aleksandra Vrebalov; libretto by Deborah Brevoort
Stephanie Rhodes Russell, conductor; Alison Moritz, stage director
Featuring Mary-Hollis Hundley, Briana Elyse Hunter, Armando Contreras, Stephanie Sanchez, Felicity Tomkins, Erin Keesy; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Description:
The Knock tells the story of a group of military wives awaiting news of their husbands who have been deployed to Iraq. As they wait, a young Army officer makes the long journey to their gathering place. Named for the expression used by military spouses for a death notification, The Knock is based on years of interviews with spouses of soldiers, resulting in a rare and sympathetic glimpse into the lives of America’s military families.
Sunday, November 19 | 8 p.m. ET
The Barber of Seville
Originally performed July 6 and 8, 2023, at Cincinnati Music Hall
Music by Gioachino Rossini; libretto by Cesare Sterbini
Christopher Allen, conductor; Christopher Mattaliano, stage director
Featuring Rodion Pogossov, Emily Fons, Alasdair Kent, Peixin Chen, Nicholas Newton, Kendra Beasley, Thomas Dreeze, Samuel Smith; Cincinnati Opera Chorus; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Description:
Supreme silliness ensues when Figaro, Seville’s most beloved barber, plays matchmaker for his former employer, Count Almaviva. The Count loves Rosina, but she’s the ward of the devious Doctor Bartolo, who has designs on wedding her himself. To win Rosina’s heart, the Count enlists Figaro to cook up disguises, double dealings, and deceits to fool old Bartolo and set Rosina free. Rossini’s sparkling comedy reminds us that sometimes, on the path to true love, the last thing you should be is yourself.
Sunday, November 26 | 8 p.m. ET
Madame Butterfly
Originally performed July 22, 27, and 29, 2023, at Cincinnati Music Hall
Music by Giacomo Puccini; libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Keitaro Harada, conductor; Matthew Ozawa, stage director
Featuring Karah Son, Adam Smith, Nozomi Kato, Julius Ahn, Nmon Ford, Jacob Junbo Zhou, Peixin Chen, Randell McGee, Kayleigh Decker; Cincinnati Opera Chorus; Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Description:
Enter the world of naval officer B.F. Pinkerton, who treats Japan as his playground. He’s taken a nearly thousand-year lease on a house there and will marry a young girl named Cio-Cio-San, known as Madame Butterfly. But is it merely a fantasy? For Butterfly, vows are not to be taken lightly, and as Pinkerton’s intentions are revealed, her dreams become a tragedy of limitless depths with no going back.
About Cincinnati Public Radio
90.9 WGUC, Cincinnati’s classical public radio station, part of Cincinnati Public Radio, has been home to classical music and the arts in the Greater Cincinnati community for more than 60 years. Presenting the finest from the classical music canon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with special features like Classics for Kids and New at Noon, WGUC also records and broadcasts performances by the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, May Festival, and other local performing groups.
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.
Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Cincinnati Opera also receives general 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. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.
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