Tag Archives: Cincinnati Opera

April 17, 2023 · 5:55 am

Cincinnati Opera Hosts Open Casting Call for Supernumerary Roles for 2023 Summer Festival

co_logoThe company seeks to fill 19 non-singing roles. No stage experience is necessary!

Cincinnati, Ohio—For anyone who’s dreamed of appearing on the Cincinnati Music Hall stage, Cincinnati Opera is ready to give you your moment in the spotlight. No singing or acting skills are required!

Cincinnati Opera will hold an open casting call for supernumerary roles for the company’s 2023 Summer Festival. An information and casting session is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 1–3 p.m. in the May Festival Rehearsal Room at Music Hall (1244 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45202). Participants should enter through the May Festival Rehearsal Room entrance at the corner of 14th Street and Central Parkway.

Supernumerary—or “super”—roles are non-singing, non-speaking roles, much like extras in film and television. Supers will share the stage with internationally renowned artists and work with celebrated directors and conductors. No experience is necessary and all super positions are filled on a voluntary basis. Individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Cincinnati Opera seeks applicants for the following roles:

Lucia di Lammermoor
Commitment period: May 30–June 24, 2023
Performances: June 22 and 24, 2023
Supers needed: 6 male-presenting liveried servants

The Barber of Seville
Commitment period: June 14–July 8, 2023
Performances: July 6 and 8, 2023
Supers needed:

  • 1 older male-presenting servant
  • 1 male-presenting notary
  • 1 male-presenting young lover
  • 1 male-presenting nephew
  • 1 older female-presenting aunt
  • 1 female-presenting young lover
  • 2 female-presenting floozies

Madame Butterfly
Commitment period: June 28–July 29, 2023
Performances: July 22, 27, and 29, 2023
Supers needed:

  • 2 male-presenting Asian servants
  • 2 male-presenting non-Asian sailors
  • 1 male-presenting Asian or Hapa child, age 5–8

Cincinnati Opera’s productions of Lucia di Lammermoor, The Barber of Seville, and Madame Butterfly will be presented in Springer Auditorium at Music Hall. Supers are required to attend approximately 10–15 rehearsals. Daytime rehearsals may be scheduled.

Attending the casting call does not obligate a person to participate. Interested individuals may attend the casting call simply to learn more about supernumerary opportunities. For more information, please visit www.cincinnatiopera.org or email supers@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 for Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival is Chavez Properties. 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. Lead Sponsors for Madame Butterfly are Sheila and Christopher Cole. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. To learn more, visit www.cincinnatiopera.org.

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April 10, 2023 · 5:47 am

Tickets to Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival Go On Sale Monday, April 10

co_logoWho & What:
Tickets to Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival go on sale Monday, April 10, 2023, at 12 noon. Tickets begin at $35 and can be purchased online at cincinnatiopera.org, by phone at 513-241-2742, or in person at the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at Music Hall.

Where & When:
Monday, April 10, 2023

  • Online: Visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning at 12 noon.
  • By phone: Call 513-241-2742. Box office hours are 12 noon–5 p.m. Monday–Friday.
  • In person: Visit the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at Music Hall, 1243 Elm Street, Over-the-Rhine. Box office hours are 12 noon–5 p.m. Monday–Friday.

About the 2023 Summer Festival:
For more than a century, summer in Cincinnati has signaled the return of Cincinnati Opera’s annual Summer Festival. Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival includes four operas throughout June and July at historic Music Hall, along with a vibrant variety of smaller-scale performances and engaging community events. The 2023 Summer Festival includes: Opera in the Park (June 11), a free, family-friendly concert of opera favorites in Washington Park; Gaetano Donizetti’s haunting Scottish thriller Lucia di Lammermoor (June 22 and 24); the world stage premiere of Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort’s moving opera about American military families, The Knock (June 23 and 27, July 2, 5, and 7); Gioachino Rossini’s supremely silly The Barber of Seville (July 6 and 8); Studio Sessions (July 12 and 19), intimate, cabaret-style concerts featuring opera artists; and a thrilling new production of Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (July 22, 27, and 29) created by an all-Japanese and Japanese American design team. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

Interviews:
Interviews about Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival are available with Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, and other company leadership upon request.

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March 27, 2023 · 6:07 am

Cincinnati Opera and CCM to Workshop Two Operas-in-Progress This Spring Through Opera Fusion: New Works Partnership

co_logoThe two new operas—Robeson by Scott Davenport Richards and David Cote and The Righteous by Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith—will receive workshops this April and May, and the public is invited to attend a sneak peek

Cincinnati, Ohio—Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) are pleased to announce the next events in their joint program, Opera Fusion: New Works.

Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) is a creative partnership between CCM and Cincinnati Opera that fosters the development of new operatic works. Through OF:NW, composers and librettists are given a 10-day workshop to hone their operas-in-progress and further prepare them for the opera stage. Each workshop ends with a public performance of excerpts from the featured work.

This April 4–13, OF:NW will mount a second workshop for the new opera, Robeson, featuring music by Scott Davenport Richards and a libretto by Richards and David Cote, with CCM Professor and Co-Director of Opera Fusion: New Works Robin Guarino as dramaturg and stage director. The work received an initial workshop last May through OF:NW.

Robeson Creative Team

man with glasses and blue shirt

Scott Davenport Richards
Composer & Co-Librettist

man wearing glasses and a dark suit jacket
David Cote
Co-Librettist


Robin Guarino
Stage Director & Dramaturg

From the creative team behind Cincinnati Opera’s critically acclaimed 2019 world premiere, Blind Injustice, Robeson is an epic and inspiring biographical examination of Black singer, actor, and activist Paul Robeson (1898–1976). A global superstar, Robeson leveraged his fame to fight on the frontlines for equality. His heroic and uncompromising efforts against fascism and racism worldwide led Robeson to be entangled in the tragic power struggle between the two superpowers of the twentieth century—the United States and the USSR—with his own life and career hanging in the balance. Inspired by historical events, Robeson also resonates with today’s ongoing fights for social justice. The public performance of excerpts from Robeson will take place on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio.

From May 5–15, OF:NW will host a workshop for The Righteous, the newest opera from composer Gregory Spears and librettist Tracy K. Smith, the creative team behind Cincinnati Opera’s celebrated 2022 world premiere, Castor and Patience. Kevin Newbury (Castor and Patience, Fellow Travelers) will serve as stage director and dramaturg.

The Righteous Creative Team

black and white photo of a man with short hairGregory Spears
Composer

woman in a pink shirt
Tracy K. Smith
Librettist

Kevin Newbury
Stage Director & Dramaturg

Commissioned by Santa Fe Opera and slated for a summer 2024 world premiere, The Righteous follows a preacher and leader of a growing church in the 1980s American Southwest, who finds himself caught up in the confluence of religion and politics. Slowly his connection to God is weakened as he becomes drawn to public office alongside contemporary events including the rise of feminism, the war on drugs, conflict in the Middle East, and the AIDS epidemic. Along the way, those closest to him grapple with their own understanding of faith and truth. The Righteous explores the timeless struggle to reconcile spiritual humility with ambition in our modern world. The public performance of excerpts from The Righteous will take place on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater.

Admission to the public performances is free, and reservations are required. Reservations are available through the Cincinnati Opera Box Office by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

CALENDAR INFORMATION

Opera Fusion: New Works presents
Robeson

Music by Scott Davenport Richards
Libretto by David Cote and Scott Davenport Richards
Dramaturgy and stage direction by Robin Guarino

When: Thursday, April 13, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
What: A performance of excerpts from the new opera-in-progress, Robeson.
Where: Music Hall’s Wilks Studio, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Admission: Free; reservations are required. Reservations are available by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

Opera Fusion: New Works presents
The Righteous

Music by Gregory Spears
Libretto by Tracy K. Smith
Dramaturgy and stage direction by Kevin Newbury

When: Monday, May 15, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
What: A performance of excerpts from the new opera-in-progress, The Righteous.
Where: Cohen Family Studio Theater, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, 290 CCM Boulevard, Cincinnati, OH 45221
Admission: Free; reservations are required. Reservations are available by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

About Opera Fusion: New Works
Funded through a generous gift from the Mellon Foundation, Opera Fusion: New Works (OF:NW) is a partnership between Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) dedicated to fostering the development of new American operas. This collaboration is jointly led by Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, and Robin Guarino, professor of opera at CCM. OF:NW offers composers or composer/librettist teams the opportunity to workshop an opera during a residency in Cincinnati. Residencies utilize the facilities, personnel, and talent of both Cincinnati Opera and CCM. The workshops are cast with a combination of CCM students and professional artists, and each workshop concludes with a free public presentation of excerpts followed by an audience Q&A session. For more information, visit ofnw.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 for Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival is Chavez Properties. 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. To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org

About CCM
Nationally ranked and internationally renowned, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is a preeminent institution for the performing and media arts. The school’s educational roots date back to 1867, and a solid, visionary instruction has been at its core since that time. CCM offers nine degree types (BA, BM, BFA, MFA, MM, MA, AD, DMA, PhD) in nearly 120 possible majors, along with a wide variety of pre-collegiate and post-graduate programs.

Declared a top college vocal program by Backstage Magazine and described as “one of the continent’s major music schools,” by the Toronto Star, CCM’s Departments of Opera and Voice provide one of the most comprehensive training programs for opera singers, coaches and directors in the United States. CCM offers an international faculty of dedicated educators who are also celebrated professionals in their own right, widely and currently active in their respective fields. Several national opera companies hold auditions at the conservatory, and CCM students frequently advance to the final rounds of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. CCM graduates have performed on the stages of the world’s greatest opera companies, including Cincinnati Opera, the Metropolitan Opera (New York), Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Royal Opera (London), La Scala (Italy) and more. To learn more, visit ccm.uc.edu.

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March 6, 2023 · 6:11 am

Cincinnati Opera’s CABARET OF HOPE: WARSAW 1941 to Premiere April 16 on CET

Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941, Cincinnati Opera’s tribute to the artists of the Warsaw Ghetto, to premiere April 16 on CET

The broadcast premiere coincides with Greater Cincinnati’s community-wide commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

CET will continue to air the hour-long program on CET Arts through June 2023.

CO_Cabaret of Hope

Featured artists from Cincinnati Opera’s Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 include: (L to R) Matthew Umphreys, Victoria Okafor, Christina Haan, Sarah Folsom, Polina Bespalko, Thomas Dreeze, and Simon Barrad. Photo by Philip Groshong.

Cincinnati, Ohio—Cincinnati Opera and CET, Cincinnati’s PBS member station, have announced plans to present Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941, an hour-long televised program developed by Cincinnati Opera in celebration of the creativity that flourished within the Warsaw Ghetto. Featuring songs and poetry from the era, Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 will premiere on CET 48.1 and will be live-streamed on the PBS app on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 2 p.m. ET, in recognition of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). Additional airings will follow on CET Arts 48.3 through June 2023.

In 1941 in Warsaw, Poland, more than 400,000 Jews were held captive in a cordoned-off area known as the Warsaw Ghetto. Nevertheless, nightlife continued to thrive, with cafés and restaurants offering entertainment and a temporary respite for residents. Perhaps the most famous was the Café Sztuka, where renowned poets, singers, and musicians appeared regularly, performing classical music and new songs by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Kurt Weill, among others. Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 is a recreation of this cabaret experience, serving as both a remembrance and a celebration of the creativity that flourished amid extraordinary oppression.

Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 was captured live during a public performance at Cincinnati Music Hall’s Wilks Studio in April 2022. Cincinnati Opera developed the program in partnership with Rabbi Abie Ingber and director Joshua Cook, with performances by vocalist Sarah Folsom, soprano Victoria Okafor, baritones Simon Barrad and Thomas Dreeze, pianists Polina Bespalko and Matthew Umphreys, and accordionist Christina Haan.

The Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 broadcast premiere coincides with Greater Cincinnati’s community-wide commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), which takes place April 16, 2–3 p.m., at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center (8485 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45236) and also via Zoom live stream. Presented by the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, the Mayerson Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Family Service, the Yom HaShoah commemoration provides an opportunity to remember and mourn the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and honor the survivors. Event reservations and more information are available at holocaustandhumanity.org.

Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 was originally presented in partnership with the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center to commemorate the Jewish Cincinnati Bicentennial. Support for Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 was provided by: the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati; Jewish Federation of Cincinnati; Mona and Richard Kerstine, M.D., in loving memory of Mona’s grandparents, who were killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust; and Eric and Jennifer Dauer.

For complete program details for Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941
Broadcast Schedule (all times are ET):

CET 48.1*
Sunday, April 16, 2023 | 2 p.m.**
*Also available as a live stream via the PBS app

CET Arts 48.3
Monday, April 17, 2023 | 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 10 p.m.

Additional airings will take place on CET Arts 48.3 in May and June 2023; please visit cetconnect.org for complete schedule information.

Description:
CET presents Cincinnati Opera’s Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941, which recreates the cabaret experience that thrived within the Warsaw Ghetto. Featuring music and poetry from the era, Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 serves as both a remembrance and a celebration of the creativity that flourished amid extraordinary oppression. For complete program details, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

**The Cabaret of Hope: Warsaw 1941 broadcast premiere coincides with the community-wide Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) commemoration, which takes place April 16, 2–3 p.m., at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center (8485 Ridge Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45236) and via Zoom live stream. More information can be found at holocaustandhumanity.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 for Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival is Chavez Properties. 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.

To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

About Public Media Connect
Public Media Connect is Southwest Ohio’s leading provider of education and enrichment in both living rooms and classrooms, serving more than 3 million people in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton communities. Through PBS and local programming, innovative multimedia curriculum projects, parent workshops and professional development for teachers, Public Media Connect—CET and ThinkTV—positively impacts our community with rich and diverse resources. Public Media Connect’s mission is to strengthen the communities and region we serve by providing content and services that engage, inspire and inform, educate and entertain, fostering culture and citizenship, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives.

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February 19, 2023 · 11:48 am

Calendar Update: Cincinnati Opera 2023 Summer Festival

co_logoCalendar Update
Cincinnati Opera 2023 Summer Festival

Cincinnati, Ohio—Cincinnati Opera announces updated schedule and cast information for the company’s 2023 Summer Festival, taking place June 11–July 29, 2023.

As previously announced, the company will present four opera productions at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall, including Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor (June 22 and 24), the world stage premiere of Aleksandra Vrebalov and Deborah Brevoort’s The Knock (June 23 and 27; July 2, 5, and 7), Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (July 6 and 8), and a new production of Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (July 22, 27, and 29). The season will kick off with Opera in the Park (June 11), a free, outdoor concert of opera favorites in Cincinnati’s Washington Park, and the company will also launch a new event series, Studio Sessions (July 12 and 19), featuring intimate cabaret performances by opera artists at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio.

All performance times are ET, and details are subject to change. Visit cincinnatiopera.org for more information.

CINCINNATI OPERA
2023 Summer Festival

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano

When:
Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

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

Short Description:
In this operatic thriller set in the Scottish Highlands, a couple’s secret love affair is thwarted by an age-old family feud, leading to deadly consequences.

Long Description:
Based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor, itself inspired by true events, 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.

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus
Production from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Sung in Italian with projected translations

Cast:
Lucia … Raven McMillon
Edgardo … Santiago Ballerini
Enrico …. Anthony Clark Evans
Raimondo … Griffen Hogan Tracy
Normanno … Terrence Chin-Loy
Arturo … Sahel Salam
Alisa … Kayleigh Decker

Creative Team:
Conductor … Renato Balsadonna
Stage Director … Jose Maria Condemi
Scenic and Costume Designer … Philip Witcomb
Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
Chorus Master … Henri Venanzi

Tickets:
Subscriptions start at $106 and are available now. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 10, 2023. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

Before the Performance:
Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera’s Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, hosts Opera Insights, an informative pre-curtain discussion on Lucia di Lammermoor, one hour before the performance in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Opera Insights are free to all ticket holders; no reservations are required.

World Stage Premiere
THE KNOCK

Music by Aleksandra Vrebalov
Libretto by Deborah Brevoort

When:
Friday, June 23, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

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

Short Description:
Named for the expression military spouses use for notifications of death, The Knock is a moving new opera that sensitively explores what must be endured by the loved ones of those who serve.

Long Description:
“An evocative and beautifully woven piece” (Opera News), 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. According to Opera News, “… The Knock manages to be many things at once, reverential and damning, internal and operatic, all while concisely portraying the complicated existence of those left behind.”

A co-commission with The Glimmerglass Festival
New production created by Cincinnati Opera
Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Sung in English with projected titles

Cast:
Lt. Roberto Gonzalez … Armando Contreras
Joella “Jo” Jenner … Mary-Hollis Hundley
Aishah McNair … Briana Elyse Hunter
Alto/Commanding Officer’s Wife … Stephanie Sanchez
Soprano 1 … Felicity Tomkins
Soprano 2 … Erin Keesy

Creative Team:
Conductor … Stephanie Rhodes Russell
Stage Director … Alison Moritz
Scenic Designer … James Rotondo
Costume Designer … Trevor Bowen
Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
Wig and Makeup Designer …. James Geier

Tickets:
Subscriptions start at $106 and are available now. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 10, 2023. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

Before the Performance:
Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera’s Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, hosts Opera Insights, an informative pre-curtain discussion on The Knock, one hour before the performance in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Opera Insights are free to all ticket holders; no reservations are required.

After the Performance:
Evans Mirageas will host a conversation with The Knock artists after each performance in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Attendance is free to all ticket holders; no reservations are required.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Music by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini

When:
Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

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

Short Description:
Supreme silliness ensues when Figaro, Seville’s most beloved barber, plays matchmaker for a lovelorn nobleman and a clever young heiress.

Long 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.

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus
Scenery from Minnesota Opera
Costumes from Washington National Opera
Sung in Italian with projected translations

Cast:
Figaro … Rodion Pogossov
Rosina … Emily Fons
Count Almaviva … Alasdair Kent
Doctor Bartolo … Peixin Chen
Don Basilio … Nicholas Newton
Berta … Kendra Beasley
Fiorello … Thomas Dreeze
Officer … Samuel Smith

Creative Team:
Conductor … Christopher Allen
Stage Director … Christopher Mattaliano
Scenic Designer … Allen Moyer
Costume Designer … James Scott
Lighting Designer … Thomas C. Hase
Wig and Makeup Designer … James Geier
Chorus Master … Henri Venanzi

Tickets:
Subscriptions start at $106 and are available now. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 10, 2023. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

Before the Performance:
Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera’s Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, hosts Opera Insights, an informative pre-curtain discussion on The Barber of Seville, one hour before the performance in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Opera Insights are free to all ticket holders; no reservations are required.

New Production
MADAME BUTTERFLY

Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

When:
Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

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

Short Description:
Puccini’s heartrending opera about a young Japanese girl and her tragic love affair with an American serviceman has been reimagined from a groundbreaking new point of view by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team.

Long Description:
Cincinnati Opera presents Puccini’s heartrending tragedy Madame Butterfly from a groundbreaking new point of view. As envisioned by an all-Japanese and Japanese American creative team, our new production reframes Puccini’s opera from a wholly inventive perspective, transporting Butterfly’s story to a modern-day realm where fantasy and reality intersect. 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.

A co-production of Cincinnati Opera, Detroit Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, San Diego Opera, and Utah Opera
Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus
Sung in Italian with projected translations

Cast:
Cio-Cio-San … Karah Son
B.F. Pinkerton … Adam Smith
Suzuki … Nozomi Kato
Sharpless … Nmon Ford
Goro … Julius Ahn
Prince Yamadori … Jacob Zhou
The Bonze … Peixin Chen
Imperial Commissioner … Randell McGee
Kate Pinkerton … Kayleigh Decker

Creative Team:
Conductor … Keitaro Harada
Stage Director … Matthew Ozawa
Scenic Designer … Kimie Nishikawa of dots
Costume Designer … Maiko Matsushima
Lighting Designer … Yuki Nakase-Link
Wig Master … James Geier
Chorus Master … Henri Venanzi

Tickets:
Subscriptions start at $106 and are available now. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 10, 2023. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

Before the Performance:
Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera’s Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, hosts Opera Insights, an informative pre-curtain discussion on Madame Butterfly, one hour before the performance in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Opera Insights are free to all ticket holders; no reservations are required.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Opera in the Park

When:
Sunday, June 11, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.

Where:
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Short Description:
Cincinnati Opera presents a free, family-friendly evening of opera and musical theater favorites in Washington Park, featuring stars from the company’s 2023 Summer Festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Long Description:
Celebrate the opening of Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival with a magical evening of music in Washington Park. This free outdoor concert in OTR features a selection of unforgettable opera and musical theater favorites performed by stars of the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and the whole family, and enjoy an evening of opera under the setting sun.

Admission:
Free; no tickets required. Visit cincinnatiopera.org for more information.

Studio Sessions

When:
Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 8 p.m. (featuring mezzo-soprano Emily Fons)
Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 8 p.m. (featuring baritone Nmon Ford)

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

Short Description:
Cincinnati Opera artists take to the cabaret stage in these intimate, candlelit performances at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio.

Long Description:
Cincinnati Opera artists take to the cabaret stage in these intimate, candlelit performances at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio. Each performance spans a variety of musical genres and features artists from Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 Summer Festival: mezzo-soprano Emily Fons (July 12), who also sings Rosina in The Barber of Seville, and baritone Nmon Ford (July 19), who appears as Sharpless in Madame Butterfly.

Tickets:
$45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. Cincinnati Opera subscribers will be invited to a pre-sale; remaining tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, April 10 at 12 noon. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

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 is Chavez Properties. 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. Support for The Knock is provided by the Mellon Foundation. The Knock is also supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; to find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. Lead Sponsors for Madame Butterfly are Sheila and Christopher Cole. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America.

To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

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