Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2014 Washington National Opera presents A new production of opera’s most beloved classic Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème Opulent and traditional new production by Jo Davies features original stage direction by Peter Kazaras Members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program perform in a specially priced performance on Friday, November 14 November 1–15, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Opera House (WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2014-2015 season with a new production of one of the most enduring classics in all of opera: Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème, November 1-15 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Updating the story to post-World War I Paris, this brand-new production by Jo Davies features original stage direction by Peter Kazaras, both in their WNO debuts. WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin leads the WNO Orchestra in interpreting some of opera’s most famous melodies. A special November 14 performance features casting by current singers and alumni of WNO’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Deep in the heart of Paris’s Latin Quarter—where music and dancing swirl nightly at the Café Momus—Mimì, a lovely seamstress of delicate health, meets handsome poet Rodolfo. Eccentric singer Musetta flirts and feuds with painter Marcello. And Colline, a philosopher, and Schaunard, a musician, do their best to distract the landlord from the rent. Through jealous ~ more ~ breakups and rekindled romances, rowdy celebrations, and tender tears, these six friends fight to keep their passions burning bright, hoping spring cures a tragic illness looming in their midst. From Rodolfo’s aching “Che gelida manina” to Mimì’s tender “Sì, mi chiamano Mimì,” to the riotous Café Momus scene featuring Musetta’s famous waltz “Quando m’en vo,” the music of La bohème is some of the most beloved in the repertory. The opera’s appearances in popular culture are legion—from its centrality in the plot of the Academy Award®-winning film Moonstruck to its inspiration for the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent—making the story and its music instantly recognizable to even newcomers to opera. Casting for WNO’s new production of La bohème includes Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu and Siberian tenor Alexey Dolgov sharing the role of Rodolfo; both singers were last seen at WNO sharing the role of Edgardo in 2011’s Lucia di Lammermoor. The role of Mimì is played by two singers in their WNO debuts: American soprano Corinne Winters, a native of Frederick, Maryland, who won raves for her portrayal of Violetta in Wolf Trap Opera Company’s La traviata in 2013; and acclaimed Russian soprano Tatiana Monogarova, a mainstay of Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre. The cast also includes American baritone and former Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Trever Scheunemann, last seen at WNO in this summer’s world premiere of An American Soldier, as Marcello. Also appearing as Marcello is American baritone John Chest, who recently starred in several productions at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, including the title role in a new production of Billy Budd. Two American sopranos share the role of Musetta: WNO favorite Alyson Cambridge returns following her acclaimed run as Julie LaVerne in 2013’s Show Boat, while Leah Partridge makes her WNO debut in the role following her celebrated run in the title role in Susannah this summer at Charlottesville’s Ash Lawn Opera. Australian bass Joshua Bloom and South African bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana, a 2013 winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, make their WNO debuts as Colline. American baritone and D.C. resident Steven LaBrie makes his WNO debut as Schaunard, sharing the role with American baritone Christian Bowers, a member of WNO’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. Italian bass Donato DiStefano, last seen at WNO as Bartolo in 2009’s The Barber of Seville, sings the roles of Benoit and Alcindoro. WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin leads the WNO Orchestra for the first time this season. He will also present a master class featuring members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program on Thursday, November 6 (see page 5 of this press release for more information). 2 Later this season he conducts Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, and next season he will lead the orchestra in three complete cycles of Wagner’s epic The Ring. The creative team includes four artists making their WNO debuts: set designer Lee Savage, costume designer Jennifer Moeller, lighting designer Bruno Poet, and choreographer Ben Wright. Both Savage and Moeller have extensive credits at Washington’s Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC); in fact, a new production of The Tempest featuring scenic design by Savage opens at STC in December. La bohème opens on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 7 p.m. and runs for 13 performances; other dates are November 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13, plus two performances on November 15. The special Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist performance is November 14. Visit WNO’s website for complete production details and casting information. Washington National Opera’s 2014-2015 season also includes the company premiere of Rachel Portman’s family opera The Little Prince, an English-language production of Poulenc’s 20th-century drama Dialogues of the Carmelites, a revival of Wagner’s epic The Flying Dutchman, and an acclaimed new-to-Washington staging of Rossini’s Cinderella. A third season of the American Opera Initiative, including the world premiere of Penny by two alumni of the program, continues WNO’s efforts to commission new works and expand the American repertory. More information can be found in the 2014-2015 season press release. La bohème Performance and Ticket Information Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. • Sunday, November 2 at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m. • Wednesday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. • Saturday, November 8 at 7 p.m. Sunday, November 9 at 2 p.m. • Monday, November 10 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. • Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m. • Saturday, November 15 at 7 p.m. Special Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Performance: Friday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and are available online, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, and by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. Subscription packages for the 2014-2015 season are also available and can be purchased online or by calling at (202) 416-8500. 3 La bohème Production Information Music by Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica Based on the novel Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henry Murger New Production Performed in Italian with Projected English Titles Cast and Creative Team Rodolfo Mimì Marcello Saimir Pirgu (November 1, 4, 7, 9, 12, 15m) Alexey Dolgov (November 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15e) * Corinne Winters (November 1, 4, 7, 9, 12, 15m) Tatiana Monogarova* (November 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15e) Conductor Philippe Auguin Production Jo Davies* Original Stage Direction Peter Kazaras* Set Designer Lee Savage* Costume Designer Jennifer Moeller* Lighting Designer Bruno Poet* Choreographer Ben Wright* Hair and Makeup Designer Anne Ford-Coates for Elsen Associates * John Chest (November 1, 4, 7, 9, 12, 15m) Trevor Scheunemann ± (November 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15e) Musetta Alyson Cambridge (November 1, 4, 9, 12, 15m) Leah Partridge* (November 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15e) Colline Joshua Bloom* (November 1, 4, 7, 9, 12, 15m) Musa Ngqungwana* (November 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15e) Schaunard Steven LaBrie* (November 1, 4, 7, 9, 12, 15m) Christian Bowers ‡ (November 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15e) Benoit/Alcindoro Donato DiStefano * Washington National Opera Debut ‡ Current member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program ± Alumnus of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program 4 Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Performance: La bohème Friday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Kennedy Center Opera House Cast Rodolfo Yi Li ‡ Mimì Raquel González* ‡ Marcello Javier Arrey ± Musetta Jacqueline Echols ‡ Colline Wei Wu ‡ Schaunard Christian Bowers ‡ Benoit/Alcindoro Donato DiStefano * Washington National Opera Debut ‡ Current member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program ± Alumnus of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program La bohème Related Programs and Events Musical Preview: La bohème Thursday, October 23—6 p.m., Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Enjoy a free preview of musical highlights from La bohème on the Millennium Stage featuring members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and other artists from the production. The Making of the New La bohème Saturday, October 25—5 p.m., Kennedy Center Opera House, South Opera Tier Lounge Join director Peter Kazaras and members of the creative team of La bohème for an informative discussion about bringing this fresh production of Puccini’s timeless opera to the stage. Tickets are $10. Opera Master Class: Philippe Auguin Thursday, November 6—7 p.m., Kennedy Center Terrace Gallery Witness how great performers are made, hear some of opera’s great voices of tomorrow, and observe the creative process. During this session, emerging artists from the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and others hone their craft under the guidance of La bohème conductor and WNO music director Philippe Auguin. Tickets are $12. Opera Insights before every performance WNO presents a free pre-performance education event prior to every performance in the Opera House. These Opera Insights are led by WNO artistic staff members or other experts and will 5 take patrons inside the composer’s mind, behind the scenes of planning a production, and into the history and social context of the opera. These events will begin one hour prior to curtain and last approximately 20-25 minutes. (The O-Zone lecture with musicologist Saul Lilienstein on Thursday, November 13 begins 75 minutes prior to curtain and last approximately 45 minutes.) A complete list of participants will be posted to WNO’s website. Artist Q&As: La bohème Sunday, November 2; Sunday, November 9; and Monday, November 10—postperformance, Kennedy Center Opera House Join WNO artistic staff for a wide-ranging discussion with the artists of the production. These events are free to patrons presenting a ticket from any performance of La bohème. ABOUT WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA Washington National Opera (WNO) is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, the company presents a diverse season of grand opera—including both classics from the repertory and more contemporary pieces—plus an annual holiday family opera, several newly commissioned American works, and a variety of special concerts and events. The WNO Orchestra is led by Music Director Philippe Auguin. Founded in 1956 and an affiliate of the Kennedy Center since 2011, WNO has a storied legacy of world premieres, new productions, international tours, live recordings and radio broadcasts, and innovative education and community-engagement programs. Throughout its history WNO has been led by titans in the opera field, including the legendary Plácido Domingo, who headed the company from 1996 to 2011. WNO contributes to the future of opera through two signature artist-development programs. The Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, now in its 13th season, has become one of the nation’s most competitive and comprehensive professional training programs for young singers and collaborative pianists. Alumni of the program have won major competitions and gone on to successful careers at major operas houses in the U.S. and abroad. The WNO Opera Institute nurtures the ambitions of high-school-age singers from across the nation during an intensive three-week summer program held at American University in Washington. Among the company’s most successful recent programs is the 2012 launch of the American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that works to expand the American operatic repertory, to give WNO’s young artists the chance to collaborate with living composers and librettists on new works, and to make American opera more relevant to 21st century audiences. The most popular of WNO’s community-engagement programs is M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield, during which an opera is broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House stage to the high-definition scoreboard at Nationals Park. Last season’s simulcast drew more than 10,000 spectators to the ballpark. The company’s other education programs include the Kids Create Opera program at local elementary schools, Look-In performances for students in grades 4-8, and the Student Dress Rehearsal Program for middle and high school students. The company also offers free Opera Insights programs before every performance in the Opera House. To celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary, Washington National Opera will present three complete cycles of Wagner’s Ring in spring 2016. These performances, featuring an acclaimed production by Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and conducted by Music Director Philippe Auguin, will be the first time the company has presented The Ring in complete cycles in its history. For more information, please visit the Washington National Opera website. 6 Discover Washington National Opera on social media: #BohemeDC FUNDING CREDITS Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars. David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO. General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of WNO’s 2014-2015 Season. WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey. Generous support for WNO Italian opera is provided by Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello. La bohème is a production of the Clarice Smith Opera Series. The Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program is made possible through the generous support of The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Additional funding for the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program is provided by Judy and Billy Cox. PRESS CONTACT Michael Solomon (202) 416-8453 [email protected] TICKETS & INFORMATION (202) 467-4600; (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org/wno 7
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