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CinCinnati opera 2015 season • June 18–July 31

SUBSCRIBE nOW!

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spend your summer at the opera!

A zany new production of Don Pasquale updates the action to 1950s Hollywood.

New! Special packages for students and educators offer great deals on top of amazing subscriber savings. Call us to learn more.

Enjoy an alfresco preview of the season at Opera in the Park (June 7, Washington Park). Free admission!

Be swept away by our kaleidoscopic, new production of Puccini’s Turandot (July 25-31).

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An invitation from the Artistic Director

The 2015 season marks the 95th birthday of Cincinnati Opera and a decade since I became The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director. So much has changed over the years since we were founded, but one happy tradition

continues: our annual summer season, which we assemble with care each year just for you, our audience. This year, we’ve crafted a season that will inspire wonder and ignite passion. Three Italian classics make their exciting return to Music Hall after years-long absences: Verdi’s epic Il Trovatore, Donizetti’s rollicking Don Pasquale, and Puccini’s exotic and thrilling love story, Turandot, all in productions that are brand new to Cincinnati. And we’re excited to present the world premiere of Morning Star, a poignant story of an immigrant family’s love, loss, and perseverance, from one of the most in-demand composers of our time, Ricky Ian Gordon. Subscribe today and experience it all! See you at the opera,

Evans MirageasThe Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director

Finalis t2015 International Opera Awards

one of “america’stop opera Companies” The Huf f ington Post{ }

Four thrilling performances, one extraordinary season.

this summer, become an opera subscriber!

cincinnatiopera.org (513) 241-2742 4

THE VIP ExPErIENcESubscribers get to see it all and are first in linefor seating selection, season updates, and other special deals.

OuTsTaNDINg saVINgsA discount on every ticket! Subscribers receive up to 15% off regular prices.

YOur sEaTs—EVErY YEarLove your seats? Only subscribers may renew them from one season to the next.

frEE aND flExIblE ExcHaNgEsIf your schedule changes, it’s easy to exchange your seats by phone for another performance or production. Free for subscribers!

buY MOrE aND saVEWant to bring a friend? Buy additional seats to any performance for 15% off regular ticket prices. rEsErVED ParkINgGuarantee your space in the convenient, accessible Washington Park garage for just $10 per performance. Ask us for details.

OrDEr NOw!See page 13 for details.

subscribe today, and these benefits are yours:

What’s Inside:2015 season

Il Trovatore .............................

Morning Star .........................

Don Pasquale ........................

Turandot ................................

How to subscribe.......................

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June 18 & 20 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

il trovatoreGiuseppe verdi

Jamie BartonAzucena

stephen powellCount di Luna

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EXTRAORDINARY VOIcEs AND EPIc DRAMA

Il TrovaToreMusic by Giuseppe VerdiLibretto by Salvadore Cammarano

Leonora Julianna Di GiacomoAzucena Jamie Barton Manrico Russell ThomasCount di Luna Stephen Powell Ferrando Morris Robinson Ruiz Brandon Scott RussellInez Kathryn Leemhuis

Conductor Cristian Macelaru Stage Director Jose Maria CondemiOriginal Scenic & Costume Designer John ConklinLighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Hair & Make-up Designer James D. GeierChorus Master Henri Venanzi

Sung in Italian with projected translation.Performance length: 3 hours

Costumes owned and constructed by Seattle Opera.

Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m.Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.MuSic Hall

Julianna Di GiacomoLeonora

russell thomasManrico

under the gleaming moon, a voice rises to leonora’s balcony, offering words of love. a troubadour has set her heart aflame, and she swears fidelity to him till the end. But all around them, a civil war rages, a jealous suitor is on their trail, and a Gypsy woman’s curse casts a menacing shadow. When forces close in, leonora faces the ultimate sacrifice to secure her beloved’s freedom.

tHe opera From its thunderous overture to its tragic end, Verdi’s 1853 masterpiece Il Trovatore (“the troubadour”) thrills with exhilarating music and a tale of star-crossed love and bloody vengeance. Our production stars an outstanding cast, including soprano Julianna Di Giacomo as Leonora, a role in which she triumphed at the Metropolitan Opera. Mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, called “a fresh wonder of the opera world” by The New Yorker’s Alex Ross, sings Azucena after recent starring appearances at the Met and Lyric Opera of Chicago. The “strong, clarion-voiced” (The New York Times) tenor Russell Thomas sings Leonora’s impassioned lover, Manrico, and Stephen Powell brings his “rich, lyric baritone, commanding presence, and thoughtful musicianship” (Wall Street Journal) to the role of Count di Luna.

June 30, July 2, 8, 10 & 17 at 7:30 p.m.July 12 & 19 at 3:00 p.m.sCpa’s Corbett theater

MorninGstar

ricky ian Gordon & William M. Hoffman

woRld pREmIERE!

1910. New York’s lower East side. their homeland now a memory, Becky Felderman and her children find hope in the promise of life in the new World. as the decades unfold, their dreams are tarnished by hardships—the triangle shirtwaist Factory fire, World War i, and the Great Depression. their story is our story—one of triumph and tragedy, struggle and sympathy, and a family that abides the trials of a lifetime.

tHe opera We’re thrilled to present the world premiere of this inspiring opera by celebrated composer Ricky Ian Gordon (The Grapes of Wrath, 27), whose musical style combines “Broadway clarity, art-song melodies, and jazzy flourishes with a sophisticated approach to harmony” (Opera News). Award-winning playwright William M. Hoffman has adapted Sylvia Regan’s 1940 play for the opera stage. Originating the role of Becky is Twyla Robinson, who last enchanted Cincinnati audiences in Der Rosenkavalier (2013).

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AVAIlAbIlITY Is lIMITED—subscRIbE NOw fOR sEATs!

Morning StarMusic by Ricky Ian GordonLibretto by William M. HoffmanBased on the play by Sylvia regan

Becky Twyla RobinsonSadie Elizabeth PojanowskiFanny Jennifer Zetlan Esther Elizabeth ZharoffAaron Greenspan Morgan Smith Irving Tashman Andrew BidlackHarry Engel Andrew Lovato Rabbi Engel Kenneth Shaw Pearl Jeanine De BiquePrince Larry D. HyltonHymie (child) Owen GundermanHymie (soldier) Spencer ViatorKathleen O’Fallin Leah de GruylMary O’Fallin Adria Caffaro

Conductor Christopher AllenStage Director Ron DanielsScenic Designer Riccardo HernandezCostume Designer Emily RebholzLighting Designer Thomas C. HaseProjection Designer Wendall HarringtonHair & Make-up Designer James D. Geier

Sung in English with projected titles.Performance length: 2 hours and 30 minutes

A new production by Cincinnati Opera.

Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m.Thursday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m.Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m.Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m.SCPA’S CorbeTT TheATer

twyla robinsonBecky

elizabeth pojanowskiSadie

Jennifer ZetlanFanny

Morgan smithAaron Greenspan

elizabeth ZharoffEsther

July 9 & 11 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

Don pasqualeGaetano Donizetti

Once the toast of Tinseltown, Don Pasquale’s life had become faded and gray. He yearned for someone who would bring a splash of color into his life, and a lovely young ingénue seemed just the ticket. she appeared sweet, demure, perfect! But in Don pasquale’s Hollywood, everyone’s putting on an act and veering wildly off-script.

tHe opera After an absence of nearly two decades, Don Pasquale returns to the Music Hall stage in a zany new production that updates the action to 1950s Hollywood. With a “deep basso and perfect comic timing” (Cincinnati Enquirer), bass-baritone Burak Bilgili leads the cast in the title role. The object of Pasquale’s amorous attentions, Norina, is sung by soprano Eglise Gutiérrez, who returns to Music Hall with her “beautiful sound” (The New York Times) after starring in La Traviata (2008). Her young lover, Ernesto, will be played by tenor Ji-Min Park in his U.S. debut, and baritone Alexey Lavrov brings a “rich voice and magnetic presence” (New York Observer) to the role of the scheming Dr. Malatesta. Conductor Richard Buckley leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in Donizetti’s cheery and tuneful score.

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A sPARKlING NEw sPIN ON A clAssIc cOMEDY

Don PasqualeMusic by Gaetano DonizettiLibretto by Giovanni Ruffini

Norina Eglise Gutiérrez Don Pasquale Burak BilgiliErnesto Ji-Min ParkDr. Malatesta Alexey Lavrov

Conductor Richard BuckleyStage Director Chuck HudsonScenic Designer Peter NolleCostume Designer Kathleen TrottLighting Designer Thomas C. HaseProjection Designer Doug ProvostHair & Make-up Designer James D. GeierChorus Master Henri Venanzi

Sung in Italian with projected translation.Performance length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Production elements owned and constructed by Arizona Opera Scenic and Costume Shop.

Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m.Saturday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m.MuSic Hall

eglise GutiérrezNorina

Ji-Min parkErnesto

Burak BilgiliDon Pasquale

alexey lavrovDr. Malatesta

July 25, 29 & 31 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

Giacomo puccini

turanDot

In ancient china, Princess Turandot is an enigmatic beauty who reigns with an iron fist and an ice-cold heart. to her would-be wooers, she’s issued a decree: he who can answer her riddles will win her hand—all others will suffer punishment by death. When a mysterious man passes her test, will she finally open her heart to love?

tHe opera Puccini’s final work is one of his grandest, featuring exotic locales, forbidden romance, and gorgeous melodies, including the rousing anthem “Nessun dorma.” Our kaleidoscopic, new production, called “miraculous” by Opera News, features stunning sets, costumes, and choreography. Soprano Marcy Stonikas brings her “big, resonant voice” (Seattle Times) to the role of the ice princess, Turandot. With a voice of “lustrous beauty” (The New York Times), tenor Stuart Neill is her lovestruck suitor, Calàf. Soprano Norah Amsellem, praised for “a rich sound and elegant lyricism” (The New York Times), will portray the tragic Liù. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is led by Ramón Tebar, music director of Florida Grand Opera.

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TurandoTMusic by Giacomo PucciniLibretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni

Turandot Marcy StonikasCalàf Stuart NeillLiù Norah AmsellemTimur Andrea MastroniPing Jonathan BeyerPang Julius AhnPong Joseph HuA Mandarin Norman GarrettEmperor Altoum Chris Merritt

Conductor Ramón TebarStage Director & Choreographer Renaud DoucetScenic & Costume Designer André BarbeLighting Designer Guy SimardHair & Make-up Designer James D. GeierChorus Master Henri Venanzi

Sung in Italian with projected translation.Performance length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

A co-production of Cincinnati Opera, Minnesota Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera, and Seattle Opera. Scenery and costumes constructed at Minnesota Opera.

Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.Friday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.MuSic Hall

norah amsellemLiù

Marcy stonikasTurandot

stuart neillCalàf

AN OPulENT, NEw-TO-cINcINNATIPRODucTION

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Illustrations Catrin Welz-Stein Photos p. 1 Turandot: Elise Bakketun/Seattle Opera; Don Pasquale: Ed Flores/Arizona Opera; all other photos: Philip Groshong; p. 2 Evans Mirageas: Philip Groshong; p. 3 Music Hall: Philip Groshong

Select No. Select MuSic Hall Select Select PRice Subtotal youR of SeatiNg aRea Morning Morning SeRieS SeatS STAr Date STAr Date 1St cHoice 2ND cHoice

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CorBett tHeater at sCpa108 West Central parkway

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Opera titles, artists, and performance dates/times subject to change. Please visit cincinnatiopera.org for updates.

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series options

MusiC Hall1243 elm street

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1. Weekday series: Il Trovatore: June 18 at 7:30 p.m. Morning Star: Choose a performance date from p. 8 Don Pasquale: July 9 at 7:30 p.m. Turandot: July 29 at 7:30 p.m.

2. Weekend series: Il Trovatore: June 20 at 7:30 p.m. Morning Star: Choose a performance date from p. 8 Don Pasquale: July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Turandot: July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Subscriptions include one ticket to each opera of the 2015 season: Il Trovatore, Morning Star, Don Pasquale, and Turandot.

price & seating options

every subscription includes:

• unbeatable savings• early access to the best seats• Free ticket exchanges• Discounts on additional tickets

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