cincinnati opera2014 season • June 12–July 27

ALL 4 OPERAS FOR $99

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A Cincinnati Opera Summer

Carmen opens the season in a bold and beautiful production.

Opera in the Park, a free concert of opera favorites, takes place June 8 in Washington Park.

Artists work behind the scenes to bring each opera to life.

From the artistic Director

Dear arts lover, There’s something about opera that shoots straight to the heart. With emotion so visceral, theater so engrossing, and music so resplendent, opera transports you—and transforms you. And once you’re hooked, seeing one just isn’t enough. This is why I invite you to subscribe to our 2014 season, which features four powerful stories told through music: The ever-tantalizing Carmen, in a vibrant production never before seen in Cincinnati. The regional premiere of the sweeping wartime drama Silent Night. La Calisto, a rarely-performed gem from the Baroque era, presented in a clever new production. And to close, the beautiful, heartrending Madame Butterfly. Subscribe today, and set your plans for an unforgettablesummer. See you at the opera!

Evans MirageasThe Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director

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June 12, 14 & 20 at 7:30 p.m.June 22 at 3:00 p.m.Music Hall

CARMENGeorges Bizet

Daniel OkulitchEscamillo

Stacey RishoiCarmen

If desire is the spark of love, then Carmen has ignited a thousand infernos. The mysterious Spanish beauty is an untamed spirit—hypnotic in her allure, coolly crushing hearts. When she tangles with José, an unsuspecting soldier, he’s blindsided, then spellbound, and soon, utterly obsessed. What begins as flirtation descends into something sinister ... something from which Carmen may never escape.

THE OPERA There’s a reason Carmen has endured as an all-time favorite—with one dazzling tune after another, Carmen never fails to satisfy. Our vibrant, new-to-Cincinnati production stars Stacey Rishoi in the title role, a singer admired for her “seductive appearance and acting” and “voice of fine beauty” (Opera News). As Carmen’s spurned lover, Don José, William Burden offers “emotional range, high notes, and lyricism” (Chicago Tribune). Daniel Okulitch, “full of swagger and rich, virile tone” (Opera Canada), is the cocky toreador, Escamillo. Jessica Rivera shares her “poised, beautiful singing” (Boston Herald ) as José’s trusting fiancée, Micaela.

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a BeautiFuL, new-to-cincinnati proDuction

CARMENMusic by Georges BizetLibretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy

Carmen Stacey RishoiDon José William BurdenMicaela Jessica Rivera Escamillo Daniel OkulitchFrasquita Alexandra Schoeny Zuniga Nathan StarkEl Dancairo Sumner ThompsonEl Remendado Aaron BlakeMoralès Joseph Lattanzi

Conductor Marc Piollet Stage Director Alain GauthierScenic Designer Allen Charles KleinCostume Designer Dean BrownLighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Choreographer Jeff RebudalHair & Make-up Designer James D. GeierChorus Master Henri Venanzi

Sung in French with projected translation.Performance length: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Thursday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m.Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, June 22 at 3:00 p.m.Music Hall

Jessica RiveraMicaela

William BurdenDon José

July 10 & 12 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

SILENT NIGHTKevin Puts & Mark Campbell

Erin WallAnna Sørensen

Christmas Eve, 1914, Europe’s Western Front. Bloodied from battle and mourning the dead, soldiers lament a seemingly endless war. As evening sets in, a carol begins, floating softly over the trenches. One voice becomes many, and would-be enemies lay down their arms to celebrate a precious night of peace and hope.

THE OPERA Cincinnati Opera proudly honors the centenary of World War I with Silent Night, an inspiring new opera drawn from true events and based on the 2005 film Joyeux Noël. The Associated Press hailed Kevin Puts’s sweeping score as “reminiscent of Britten, Poulenc, and even Puccini.” Our extraordinary ensemble features Thomas Blondelle as Sprink, a German opera singer conscripted into fighting, who reaches across the trenches with song. Erin Wall, possessing a voice of “radiance, pristine beauty, and tingling top notes” (Financial Times), is Anna, Sprink’s beloved. Phillip Addis, Craig Irvin, and Gabriel Preisser portray opposing military officers struggling to cope with war’s atrocities.

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winner oF tHe 2012 puLitZer priZe For MuSic

Silent nightMusic by Kevin PutsLibretto by Mark Campbell

Anna Sørensen Erin Wall Nikolaus Sprink Thomas BlondelleLieutenant Audebert Phillip Addis Lieutenant Horstmayer Craig Irvin Lieutenant Gordon Gabriel Preisser Ponchel Andrew Wilkowske Jonathan Dale Thomas Glenn William Dale Tyler Alessi Kronprinz Thomas CooleyBritish Major Thomas DreezeFrench General Kenneth Shaw

Conductor David Charles AbellStage Director Eric SimonsonScenic Designer Francis O’ConnorCostume Designer Kärin KopischkeLighting Designer Marcus DillardProjection Designer Andrzej GouldingHair & Make-up Designer James D. GeierChorus Master Henri Venanzi

Sung in English, French, German, and Italian with projected translation.Performance length: 2 hours and 25 minutes

Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

Thomas BlondelleNikolaus Sprink

Phillip AddisLt. Audebert

Craig IrvinLt. Horstmayer

Scenery and costumes for Silent Night were constructed at The Minnesota Opera and are jointly owned by The Minnesota Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Fort Worth Opera.

Gabriel PreisserLt. Gordon

July 17, 20, 23 & 25 at 7:30 p.m.July 27 at 3:00 p.m.SCPA’s Corbett Theater

LA CALISTOFrancesco Cavalli

Based on a myth from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, La Calisto delights with comic twists fit for Shakespeare and music inspired by the heavens. Jove, ruler of the gods, sets his sights on the beautiful nymph Calisto. But she—a devotee of the goddess Diana—is sworn to die a virgin. Undeterred, Jove hatches a plan to wend his way into her heart (and her bed) by donning a disguise. But when Jove’s wife catches wind of the scheme, neither god nor mortal can know how far her fury will go.

THE OPERA With its “combination of catchy musical numbers” and “overtly sensuous storyline” (NPR), La Calisto is a charming Baroque gem. It’s presented here in a new production, our second at SCPA’s intimate Corbett Theater, conceived by the same team behind our nearly sold-out showing of Galileo Galilei (2013). An international cast joins the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the early music ensemble Catacoustic Consort in realizing Cavalli’s colorful and exhilarating score.

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a coMpanY preMiere in a new proDuction

La CaListoMusic by Francesco CavalliLibretto by Giovanni Faustini

Calisto Nathalie Paulin Diana Jennifer Johnson Cano Juno alexandra Deshorties Endymion Michael Maniaci Jove Daniel OkulitchSatyr alisa Jordheim Mercury andrew GarlandLinfea thomas Michael allenPan aaron Blake Sylvan Nathan stark

Conductor David BatesStage Director Ted HuffmanScenic Designer David A. CentersCostume Designer Rebecca SenskeLighting Designer Thomas C. Hase Choreographer Zack WinokurHair & Make-up Designer James D. Geier

Sung in Italian with projected translation.Performance length: 2 hours and 15 minutes

Thursday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.Friday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m.Sunday, July 27 at 3:00 p.m.SCPA’s Corbett Theater

Jennifer Johnson CanoDiana

Alexandra DeshortiesJuno

Nathalie PaulinCalisto

Michael ManiaciEndymion

Daniel OkulitchJove

July 24 & 26 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

MADAMEGiacomo Puccini

BUTTERFLY

One of the world’s best-loved operas, Madame Butterfly is also one of the most achingly beautiful. A naïve young geisha, Cio-Cio-San, falls for a handsome U.S. naval officer, who loves her and leaves, promising to return. For three years, she waits. Then, one fine day, he does return. And for a moment, Cio-Cio-San is triumphant, blind to the heartbreak that awaits her.

THE OPERA We’re thrilled to present Italian soprano Maria Luigia Borsi in the title role. Following her Music Hall debut in Otello (2010), the Cincinnati Enquirer hailed her “affecting performance and breathtaking vocal prowess,” declaring that “the opera world has a new star.” Shawn Mathey, a regular at Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and Washington National Opera, brings his “honeyed tenor” (Chicago Classical Review) to the role of the rakish American officer, Pinkerton. Spanish conductor Ramón Tebar leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra through Puccini’s stirring score.

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Sure to SeLL out! SuBScriBe to Secure Your SeatS

MAdAMe ButterflyMusic by Giacomo PucciniLibretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

Cio-Cio-San Maria Luigia BorsiPinkerton Shawn Mathey Suzuki Kelley O’ConnorSharpless Roberto de Candia Goro Steven ColeThe Bonze Reginald Smith, Jr. Prince Yamadori Joseph Lattanzi Kate Pinkerton Adria Caffaro

Conductor Ramón TebarStage Director Marc VerzattScenic Designer Paul ShorttCostume Designer Dean BrownLighting Designer Thomas C. HaseHair & Make-up Designer James D. GeierChorus Master Henri Venanzi

Sung in Italian with projected translation.Performance length: 3 hours and 10 minutes

Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.Music Hall

Kelley O’ConnorSuzuki

Maria Luigia BorsiCio-Cio-San

Shawn MatheyPinkerton

Roberto de CandiaSharpless

Steven ColeGoro

Daniel Okulitch: “The irresistible focus of attention every second he’s on stage.” –Vancouver Sun

Stacey Rishoi: “[She] nearly stole the show with a performance that was convincing and unwavering from start to finish.” –Washington Post

Nathalie Paulin sings with “sensuality and spirit, sailing through pages of ornate coloratura.” –Chicago Tribune

Meet the Stars of the Season

William Burden: “Subdued emotional intensity permeates every line of [his] elegant singing.” –New York Times

Maria luigia Borsi: “[She] has a show-stealing air about her, with her grace, beauty, animation, and a variety in the voice.” –Sunday Times (U.K.)

Erin Wall: “Her glamour is magnetic.” –The Guardian (U.K.)

Belgian tenor Thomas Blondelle makes his U.S. debut in Silent Night.

The 4-Opera Package Enjoy the full Cincinnati Opera experience with a 4-Opera Package, which includes tickets to each 2014 season production: Carmen, Silent Night, La Calisto, and Madame Butterfly.

Your benefits: 1. Your summer plans are set! Receive first access to the best seats at a discounted price as compared to single tickets.

2. Reserved parking in the Washington Park Garage. (Contact us for more information.)

3. Unlimited free ticket exchanges throughout the 2014 season.

4. 15% discount on additional ticket purchases.

5. Love your seats? 4-Opera subscribers may renew them from year to year.

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Subscribe Today! (513) 241-2742

Nathalie Paulin sings with “sensuality and spirit, sailing through pages of ornate coloratura.” –Chicago Tribune

Subscription Options

3-Opera and 2-Opera PackagesPick any three or any two operas, and receive a discount off single ticket prices.

Your benefits: 1. Early access to great seats at a great price.

2. Free ticket exchanges from one performance to another of the same production.

Please note: Subscription purchases will be processed in the following order: 4-Opera Packages, 3-Opera Packages, and 2-Opera Packages.

BEST Value!

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MUSIC HALL1243 Elm Street

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CORBETT THEATER AT SCPA108 West Central Parkway

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4-opera weekdaysCarmen • June 12Silent Night • July 10La Calisto (choose one) July 17, July 20, July 23, July 25, or July 27Madame Butterfly • July 24

4-OPERa WEEkENDSCarmen • June 14Silent Night • July 12La Calisto (choose one) July 17, July 20, July 23, July 25, or July 27Madame Butterfly • July 26

Opera titles, artists, and performance dates/times subject to change. Please visit www.cincinnatiopera.org for the latest info.

Order Now!Call (513) 241-2742

3-Opera & 2-Opera Packages Multiple dates available. prices range from $50 to $489. please call (513) 241-2742 for details.

MusIC Hall

a1 includes one Scpa a-level ticket

a2includes one Scpa a-level ticket

a3includes one Scpa a-level ticket

a4includes one Scpa a-level ticket

Bincludes one Scpa B-level ticket

cincludes one Scpa c-level ticket

Dincludes one Scpa D-level ticket

PRICE

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Illustrations Catrin Welz-Stein Photos p.1: Carmen: Jeff Roffman/The Atlanta Opera; all other photos: Philip Groshong; p. 2 Evans Mirageas: Philip Groshong; p.11: Stacey Rishoi: Philip Groshong; Thomas Blondelle: Foto Schenk; Nathalie Paulin: Sébastien Ventura; Erin Wall: Alexander Vasiljev; William Burden: Simon Pauly; Maria Luigia Borsi: Benjamin Ealovega; Daniel Okulitch: Rob Daly; p.12 Music Hall: Philip Groshong; Back Cover: Dominic Mercier/Opera Philadelphia.

PaCkage QTY. MuSiC Hall MuSiC Hall SeleCT PRiCe SubTOTal leVel FlOOR LA CALiStO (a1, a2, eTC.) (ORCH OR balC) DaTe L 4-OPERA WEEKDAY $ $ L 4-OPERA WEEKEND $ $ L 3-OPERA Available for purchase by phone only. Please call (513) 241-2742.

L 2-OPERA Available for purchase by phone only. Please call (513) 241-2742.

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A Cincinnati Opera ticketing specialist will email you to confirm your order. Questions or special seating needs? Please call (513) 241-2742.

PaCkage QTY. MuSiC Hall MuSiC Hall SeleCT PRiCe SubTOTal leVel FlOOR LA CALiStO (a1, a2, eTC.) (ORCH OR balC) DaTe L 4-OPERA WEEKDAY $ $ L 4-OPERA WEEKEND $ $ L 3-OPERA Available for purchase by phone only. Please call (513) 241-2742.

L 2-OPERA Available for purchase by phone only. Please call (513) 241-2742.

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