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).
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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