Kentucky Opera has given a glimpse into their next three seasons, but the details of the Brown-Forman 2009-10 fall season are coming into focus. This season has a story for every one, a love story, an American novel and a fairy tale – with Verdi’s La Traviata, Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men and Englebert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.
Kentucky Opera’s Brown-Forman 2009-10 Fall Season
Louisville, Kentucky – (May 18, 2009) Kentucky Opera has given a glimpse into their next three seasons, but the details of the Brown-Forman 2009-10 fall season are coming into focus. This season has a story for every one, a love story, an American novel and a fairy tale – with Verdi’s La Traviata, Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men and Englebert Humperdinck’sHansel and Gretel.
Subscriptions range from $78 – $214 and are now available by calling 502.584.4500 or visiting KYOpera.org.
Kentucky Opera’s new home the Brown Theatre
With the new season, Kentucky Opera will make the Brown Theatre its home. All three productions will take place at the newly renovated theatre on Broadway. General Director David Roth says “In these difficult economic times it is important for the Kentucky Opera to continue with its three year repertory plan, we are able to viably produce that plan at the Brown Theatre.”
The Brown Theatre is located at 315 West Broadway, Louisville KY 40202.
New Season, New Contract
The new season also brings a fresh start to David Roth’s contract. In February, 2008 David Roth signed up for another 4years as General Director.
La Traviata
Friday, September 25, 8pm (opera preview at 7pm)
Sunday, September 27, at 2pm (opera preview at 1pm)
Brown Theatre
Enrichment Events
- Lunch & Listen
Wednesday, September 9 at 12pm
Sights & Sounds at the Speed
Sunday, September 13 at 1:30pm
La Traviata is an opera in three acts which premièred at Teatro la Fenice, Venice on March 6, 1853 and was last produced by Kentucky Opera in October 2002. This opera will be sung in Italian with English translations above the stage.
Based on Dumas’ fils play La Dame Aux Camellias (The Lady of the Camellias), Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata explores the world of the French courtesan Violetta and her doomed love of Alfredo, a member of the wealthy class.
Conductor: Kelly Kuo (Otello 2008)
Director: James Marvel
Violetta: Elizabeth Futral+
Alfredo: Mark Panuccio+
Germont: Donnie Ray Albert (Otello 2008)
Of Mice and Men
Friday, October 30, 8pm (opera preview at 7pm)
Sunday, November 1 at 2pm (opera preview at 1pm)
Brown Theatre
Enrichment Events
- Lunch & Listen
Wednesday, October 14 at 12pm
Sights & Sounds at the Speed
Sunday, October 18 at 1:30pm
Music and libretto by Carlisle Floyd after the novella by John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men is a Kentucky Opera première which will be sung in English with supertitles above the stage. The two act opera made its world première in 1970 in Seattle, WA.
Of Mice and Men tells the story of George Milton and his half-witted companion, Lennie Small – two migrant ranch hands in 1930s depression era California. They have a simple dream: to have a home and land of their own.
Conductor: Joseph Mechavich (Werther 2008)
Director: Michael Cavanagh (La Boheme 2006)
George: Rod Nelman (Barber of Seville 1997)
Lennie: Michael Hendrick +
Candy: John Stephens (Dialogues of the Carmelites 2007)
Curley: Dan Weeks (Dialogues of the Carmelites 2007)
Curley’s Wife: Kiera Duffy +
Hansel and Gretel
Friday, November 20, 8pm (opera preview at 7pm)
Sunday, November 22, 2pm (opera preview at 1pm)
Enrichment Events
- Lunch & Listen
Wednesday, November 4 at 12pm
Sights & Sounds at the Speed
Sunday, November 8 at 1:30pm
Hansel and Gretel is an opera in three acts which premièred at the Hoftheater, Weimar on December 23, 1893 and was last performed by Kentucky Opera in December 1996. The production will be sung in English with supertitles above the stage.
Based on the Grimms Brothers’ tale, composer Engelbert Humperdinck’s sister, Adelheid Wette, re-wrote the story for her children giving it more moralistic and perhaps religious undertones. Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel features a lush orchestra underscoring the well known duet “When at Night I go to Sleep.”
Conductor: Steven White +
Director: David Roth
Hansel: Leah Wool +
Gretel: Anya Matanovic (Carnevale 2009)
Witch: Victoria Livengood (The Yeoman of the Guard 1988)
+ Kentucky Opera debut artist
http://www.kyopera.org/press-season.html