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2011 12 SEASON CHRISTOPHER MCBETH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
201112 SEASON
CHRISTOPHER MCBETHARTISTIC DIRECTOR
INTRODUCING THE UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON
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FIDELIOBY LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
“AN ANGEL, SO LIKE MY WIFE LENORE, WHO LEADS ME TO FREEDOM.”
801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 3
1 OCTOBER 8–16
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 3
“AN ANGEL, SO LIKE MY WIFE LENORE, WHO LEADS ME TO FREEDOM.”
801-533-NOTE (6683)
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 5 UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 5
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN composed only one opera in his life. He had strong opinions about the opera of his day and found many of the contemporary German libretti lacking in appropriate seriousness. At the beginning of the 19th century, Beethoven’s mind was heavy with the themes of stoic suffering and heroic resolve. Put off by what he felt were trite tales of moral ambiguity and emotional triviality in his own land, he finally found the noble inspiration he sought in revolutionary France.
Written and twice revised between 1804 and 1814, Fidelio is based on Jean-Nicolas Bouilly’s Léonore, ou
OCTOBER 8, 10, 12, 14 | 7:30 PM OCTOBER 16 | 2 PM–CAPITOL THEATRE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
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L’amour conjugal (Lenore, or the Triumph of Married Love in its English translation). The story follows the heroine, Lenore, who disguises herself as a young man, Fidelio, in order to find and save her jailed husband, Florestan. Though many believe him to be dead, Lenore feels in her heart that he lives and through her ingenuity, virtue, and steadfast-ness, she sets out to find her beloved husband.
> SUNG IN GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
FIDELIOBY LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
1
FIDELIO ARTISTS–CONDUCTOR RICHARD BUCKLEYDIRECTOR ERIC EINHORNLEONORE BRENDA HARRISFLORESTAN COREY BIXDON PIZARRO MARK SCHNAIBLE
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“IF I AM A MONSTER, IT IS THE WORLD THAT HAS MADE ME SO.”
RIGOLETTO BY GIUSEPPE VERDI
801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 7
“IF I AM A MONSTER, IT IS THE WORLD THAT HAS MADE ME SO.”
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 7
RIGOLETTO BY GIUSEPPE VERDI
2 JANUARY 21–29
801-533-NOTE (6683)801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
JANUARY 21, 23, 25, 27 | 7:30 PM JANUARY 29 | 2 PM–CAPITOL THEATRE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
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RIGOLETTO BY GIUSEPPE VERDI
GIUSEPPE VERDI’S ENDURING masterpiece was premiered in 1851 and is based on the Victor Hugo play, Le roi s’amuse. The project initially raised the eyebrows of the police censors in the commissioning city of Venice, but by the time word of this got to Verdi, he had found his muse and insisted on continuing. Further drama would soon ensue, pitting Verdi and his librettist against the will of “official opinion.” Luckily a compromise was reached, one that allowed Verdi to retain many essential story elements, most notably the iconic hunched back of the title character.
The action follows Rigoletto, a duke’s jester, whose insensitive mocking of another man’s anger earns him a curse and an eventual loss of horrific proportions. Rigoletto is both contributor and victim to the opera’s proceedings and, in the end, suffers most as a result of the complications that come from a life in service to an awful man, who reserves even the opera’s most famous music for himself.
> SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
2
RIGOLETTO ARTISTS–CONDUCTOR ROBERT TWETENDIRECTOR TARA FAIRCLOTHRIGOLETTO GUIDO LEBRONDUKE ROBERT MCPHERSONGILDA CELENA SHAFER
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 9
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THE ELIXIR OF LOVE BY GAETANO DONIZETTI
“WHO CAN TESTIFY BETTER THAN I THAT THE ELIXIR IS GUARANTEED 100 PERCENT EFFECTIVE?”801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 11 UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 11
“WHO CAN TESTIFY BETTER THAN I THAT THE ELIXIR IS GUARANTEED 100 PERCENT EFFECTIVE?”
3 MARCH 10–18
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UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 13
AMONG GAETANO DONIZETTI’S incredibly large catalogue of operas, L’elisir d’amore of 1832 is one of the most recognizable and famous. A two-act melodrama and exemplar of 19th century opera buffa, the piece was written during a time of increasing European popularity for the composer, a time when Donizetti would conquer not only the comic form but the bel canto style as well with the ensuing Lucia di Lammermoor. These back to back creations would define his career and live forever among the finest examples of their respective genres.
MARCH 10, 12, 14, 16 | 7:30 PM MARCH 18 | 2 PM–CAPITOL THEATRE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
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The story of L’elisir is of Nemorino, a love-struck youth who cannot seem to hold the attention of his dream girl, Adina. He buys a “magic” potion but it doesn’t seem to work. It only begins to take effect on the other women of the town after news spreads of his rich uncle’s passing and this convinces Nemorino that he needs to buy more to use on Adina. But Nemorino has much to learn about elixirs and love, and the confusion he sows with his potion threatens to ruin everything.
> SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE BY GAETANO DONIZETTI
3
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE ARTISTS–CONDUCTOR SUSANNE SHESTONDIRECTOR CRYSTAL MANICHADINA ANYA MATANOVINEMORINO AARON BLAKE
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OF MICE AND MENBY CARLISLE FLOYD
“ARE THEY LOOKIN’ FOR ME, GEORGE?”
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UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 15 UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 15
4 MAY 5–13
“ARE THEY LOOKIN’ FOR ME, GEORGE?”
CONTINUING A NEW TRADITION OF staging American works, Utah Opera presents Carlisle Floyd’s 1969 adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel Of Mice and Men. As with his highly popular Susannah, Floyd wrote his own libretto for Of Mice and Men and his words and music capture the distinctively American pathos of the book’s depression-era setting and themes.
Like the novel, the story centers around George and his childlike companion Lennie as they struggle to find a path to their simple dream, the
MAY 5, 7, 9, 11 | 7:30 PM MAY 13 | 2 PM–CAPITOL THEATRE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
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dream of a house and farm they can call their own. It is not to be however as Lennie’s simple kindness and fear of upsetting those around him unwittingly lead to tragedy and the end of the plans he and George share. Theirs is the quintessential hard-luck odyssey, always one step ahead of disaster and so very far from salvation. More tragedy is sure to follow.
> SUNG IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES
> VIVACE MAY 5
OF MICE AND MEN BY CARLISLE FLOYD
4
801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
OF MICE AND MEN ARTISTS–CONDUCTOR JAMES LOWEDIRECTOR KEVIN NEWBURYGEORGE MILTON MICHAEL SUMUELLENNIE SMALL COREY BIX
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 17
OF MICE AND MEN BY CARLISLE FLOYD
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PERFORMANCE DATE SERIES LOCATION
1. BEETHOVEN’S NINTH SEPTEMBER 9–10 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
2.BEETHOVEN’S “EMPEROR” CONCERTO SEPTEMBER 23–24 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
3. SALUTE TO YOUTH SEPTEMBER 27 FAMILY ABRAVANEL HALL
4. FIDELIO OCTOBER 8–16 UTAH OPERA CAPITOL THEATRE
5.TCHAIKOVSKY’S “LITTLE RUSSIAN” OCTOBER 21–22 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
6. SPOOKY SYMPHONIES OCTOBER 25 FAMILY ABRAVANEL HALL
7.THE KING’S SINGERS WITH THE UTAH SYMPHONY OCTOBER 28–29 ENTERTAINMENT ABRAVANEL HALL
8. VIENNA BOYS CHOIR NOVEMBER 3 SPECIAL ABRAVANEL HALL
9.BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH SYMPHONY NOVEMBER 4–5 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
10.BEETHOVEN’S “PASTORAL” SYMPHONY NOVEMBER 11–12 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
11.BERLIOZ’ CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST NOVEMBER 18–19 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
12. MESSIAH SING-IN NOVEMBER 26–27 SPECIAL ABRAVANEL HALL
13.LISZT’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 DECEMBER 2–3 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
14.HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE DECEMBER 16–17 ENTERTAINMENT ABRAVANEL HALL
15. HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS! DECEMBER 17 LOLLIPOPS ABRAVANEL HALL
16.TCHAIKOVSKY’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 JANUARY 6–7 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
17.BRAVO BROADWAY: DANCING & ROMANCING JANUARY 13–14 ENTERTAINMENT ABRAVANEL HALL
18. RIGOLETTO JANUARY 21–29 UTAH OPERA CAPITOL THEATRE
19. BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH FEBRUARY 3–4 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
20.MENDELSSOHN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO FEBRUARY 10–11 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
21.RACHMANINOFF & BEETHOVEN FEBRUARY 17–18 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
22.SIMPLY SINATRA WITH STEVE LIPPIA FEBRUARY 24–25 ENTERTAINMENT ABRAVANEL HALL
23. BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO. 1 MARCH 2–3 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
24. THE ELIXIR OF LOVE MARCH 10–18 UTAH OPERA CAPITOL THEATRE
201112 UTAH SYMPHONY | UTAH OPERA SEASON CALENDAR
801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 19 UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 19
PERFORMANCE DATE SERIES LOCATION
25. CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS MARCH 10 LOLLIPOPS ABRAVANEL HALL
26.RACHMANINOFF’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 3 MARCH 23–24 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
27. MAHLER’S SYMPHONY NO. 4 APRIL 6–7 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
28. BEETHOVEN’S “EROICA” APRIL 13–14 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
29.MAGICAL MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS APRIL 17 FAMILY ABRAVANEL HALL
30.CLASSICAL MYSTERY TOUR: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES APRIL 20–21 ENTERTAINMENT ABRAVANEL HALL
31. MOZART’S REQUIEM APRIL 27–28 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
32. OF MICE AND MEN MAY 5–13 UTAH OPERA CAPITOL THEATRE
33. ALL-STAR EVENING MAY 15 FAMILY ABRAVANEL HALL
34.BRAHMS’ PIANO CONCERTO NO. 1 MAY 18–19 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
35.BEETHOVEN CYCLE CONCLUDES MAY 25–26 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
DESIGN–A–SERIES AND SAVE 20%Do you love the thrill of hearing a familiar theme in a classical piece? Or the sight of the beautiful sets and costumes at the opera? Maybe you just enjoy a romantic night in the city?
We know everyone loves something different about our performances, and that’s why we’re inviting you to define your own experience by creating your very own season ticket package - completely customized to feature everything YOU love about our performances.
Eight (8) + Design-A-Series on sale MARCH 1, 2011. Four (4) + Design-A-Series on sale MAY 9, 2011.
Visit myusuo.org to purchase online.
GROUP & STUDENT DISCOUNTSGroup and student discounts are available for most performances. Call 801-533-6683 or visit usuo.org for details.
NOTE: Utah Opera season ticket holders also save 20% on tickets to Utah Symphony performances. (Subject to availability. Some exclusions may apply.) Call 801-533-NOTE (6683) or visit myusuo.org
Programs and artists subject to change. Visit usuo.org for the most up-to-date information.
801-533-NOTE (6683)
PRIORITY SEATING Your seats are always there–even for sold-out performances. With season tickets you’ll have access to the best seats available because you get first choice at claiming, renewing, and upgrading your seats months before sales open to the general public.
FREE EXCHANGESLast-minute schedule conflicts? There’s no need to worry. Your season tickets are as flexible as your schedule is complicated. Season ticket holders can exchange their tickets for any other 2011–12 season Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performance with no fees. Simply call 801-533-6683. Exchanges are subject to availability; must give 24 hours notice.
PERSONALIZED SERVICEWhether your question is about Puccini or parking, we’re here to help. As a season ticket holder you have a direct line to Season Ticket Services at 801-533-6683 for individual attention to ticketing needs and questions. We have the right people in place to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
FREE TICKET FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY Happy Birthday from Utah Symphony | Utah Opera! Season Ticket Holders have exclusive access to our Birthday Club. You will receive a voucher good for one ticket to the Utah Symphony or Utah Opera during the month of your birthday. Call 801-533-6683 after purchasing your season tickets to join the Birthday Club.
USUO ADVANTAGESUse your Advantages Card to claim special discounts for dinner and parking. Visit utahopera.org/advantages for a complete list of savings.
TAX DEDUCTIONCan’t make it to a performance? Don’t let your seat go empty. If you turn back your ticket, we will send you a receipt for the full amount to use as a tax deduction. Contact Season Ticket Services at 801-533-6683 for more information.
SINGLE TICKET DISCOUNTSPurchase discounted single tickets to the Utah Opera or Utah Symphony for friends and family. To take advantage of your 20% season ticket holder discount, call the ticket office at 801-533-6683 or log on to myusuo.org starting Subscriber Week (August 15–19, 2011). Some exclusions may apply.
HOW TO PURCHASE SEASON TICKETSTo purchase season tickets to the 2011–12 season of Utah Opera visit myusuo.org or call 801-533-6683.
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS HAVE BENEFITS
801-533-NOTE (6683) | UTAHOPERA.ORG
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 21
KEEPING THE MUSIC ALIVEIncome from ticket sales covers only 25% of our expenses. Each gift makes a difference, and you can help! Join the ranks of Utah Opera supporters today. For more information about making a tax-deductible donation call 801-533-6683 or visit myusuo.org to donate online.
“Because of our donors we are able to preserve and increase the artistic excellence of our offerings each year. There are many ways to support us, and we invite you to join our donors who help us bring the gift of music year-round to our audiences throughout the state and region. Thank you!”
— Melia Tourangeau, CEO & President
CRESCENDO SOCIETY As a dedicated subscriber, patron, or donor, you already know the value of our Opera in this community and why it is important to continue this legacy long into the future. Planned Giving is a wonderful way to support Utah Opera by assessing your finances and working ahead to provide income for us through estate planning. Together, we can ensure Utah Opera is preserved for future generations.
For more information about the Crescendo Society, please call us at 801-533-6683, or contact your personal financial advisor.
THE GLADE PETERSON SOCIETY The Glade Peterson Society pays tribute to a great man who demonstrated a profound commitment to the performing arts in Utah. By joining the Glade Peterson Society, you help ensure the legacy of Utah Opera. With a $2,000 tax-deductible donation you can become a member of the Glade Peterson Society. With your membership, you will be eligible to purchase two seats in the Grand Tier of the Capitol Theatre. A $3,000 donation provides membership in both the Peterson Society and Utah Symphony’s Maurice Abravanel Society. With your membership, you will also receive free parking, admission to all intermission receptions, and invitations to special events. Please call 801-533-6683 for details.
2011–12 VIVACE SEASON Vivace is a funkified group of single/partnered/married persons, who just happen to get their groove on at classical concerts and opera. Vivace season tickets are $155 and include a ticket to each Vivace performance and after-party.
Call 801-533-6683 or visit myusuo.org to order.
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 21
SUPPORT UTAH OPERA
VIVACE PERFORMANCES DATE SERIES LOCATION
1.BEETHOVEN’S “PASTORAL” SYMPHONY NOVEMBER 12 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
2. LISZT’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 DECEMBER 3 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
3. BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH FEBRUARY 4 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
4. BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO. 1 MARCH 3 MASTERWORKS ABRAVANEL HALL
5. OF MICE AND MEN MAY 5 UTAH OPERA CAPITOL THEATRE
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TICKETS ARE JUST THE BEGINNING
OPERA PREVIEW LECTURE SERIES Join us for an enlightening Opera Preview Lecture at The City Library on the Wednesday before each opening night at 7 PM.
OPERA PRELUDEHalf-hour long introductory lectures by Dr. Carol Anderson, Principal Coach, take place in the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre one hour before curtain of each Utah Opera performance. Also check online for further articles, synopses, and online courses. Also check our website at utahopera.org for further articles, synopses, and online courses.
POST-PERFORMANCE Q&A WITH CHRISTOPHER MCBETH Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth answers questions about the opera following each performance in the Founders’ Room on the Mezzanine level of Capitol Theatre.
CELEBRATING BEETHOVEN: USUO’S 2011–12 FESTIVAL Utah Symphony | Utah Opera opens its 2011–12 season with a festival celebrating the life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven. During September and October, we will feature performances of Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto, his Ninth and Eighth Symphonies, and his only opera, Fidelio. Around these performances, we invite our community members to delve deeper by attending lectures, film screenings, as well as chamber and vocal music events, all offered in collaboration with local scholars and arts organizations.
Visit utahopera.org/festival for details.
UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 23 UTAH OPERA 201112 SEASON – 23
2011–12 UTAH OPERA CAPITOL THEATRE SEATING AND SEASON TICKET PRICING
MONDAY / WEDNESDAY $276 $216 $184 $168 $148 $120 $88 $52
FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY $276 $248 $200 $184 $164 $136 $104 $56
All season ticket packages include a $4 Salt Lake County Building Preservation Fee to support the Center for the Arts facilities. Senior discounts are available in the Light Green and Brown sections. For more information, please contact the ticket office.
All performances are in the: CAPITOL THEATRE 50 WEST 200 SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
STUDENT SEASON TICKETSStudents with valid student IDs may purchase student season tickets to Utah Opera for only $40 starting in August 2011. For information on student tickets, visit usuo.org/student. Call 801-533-6683 to order.
PARKING Don’t let parking concerns keep you from coming downtown. There is ample parking available for all performances—even on the busiest weekends. Visit utahopera.org/parking to see over a dozen downtown parking options.
EASY LISTENING Audiolink hearing devices, large-print synopses, Braille and supertitle translations are available for all performances.
To order, call 801-533-6833 or visit myusuo.org.
CAPITOL THEATRE (Orchestra Level)
CAPITOL THEATRE (Mezzanine & Balcony Levels)
• SATURDAY, MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7:30 PM
• SUNDAY MATINEES BEGIN AT 2 PM.
SEASON TICKET SEATING AND PRICING
WHEELCHAIR SEATING PETERSON SOCIETY
801-533-NOTE (6683)
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