FGO brings in world class singers

By Rex Alan Hearn

The upcoming season has a galaxy of world renowned operatic stars. Trying something new, no doubt under the aegis of Flordia Grand Opera (FGO) Senior Artistic Advisor, Judy Drucker, is the presentation of the Superstar Concert Series at the Knight Concert Hall in 2009. Russian baritone, Dimitri Hvorostrovsky on Jan. 10, 2009; Tenor Marcello Giordani on March 9, 2009 and Welsh bass/baritone Bryn Terfel on April 6, 2009.

Backed by a full orchestra, these three greats will be joined by three wonderful sopranos, respectively, Ekaterina Siurina, Leah Partridge and Sarah Coburn. But we have our own operatic star, right in our midst. Not a singer, but th fine FGO company which excels at ensemble work. And yes, FGO has created many new operatic stars, who, selected as Young Artists, return as fully fledged professional singers on the cusp of greatness! The upcoming season has five operas, much loved by the public, with one “exotic”, Delibes ‘’Lakmé”.

LA TRAVIATA: The season opens with Verdi’s ‘’La Traviata” on Saturday, Nov. 15 with a run until Nov. 23 in Miami. Based on Alexandre Dumas’ play , “The Lady of the Camellias,” Violetta Valery, is a courtesan who finds true love, but has to make a personal sacrifice because of the  unenlightened society. The great Bliss Hebert will direct with new sets and costumes by Allen Charles Klein. Alternating the role of Violetta are sopranos Eglise Gutierrez, whose vocal acuity has an emotional depth, and, Ailyn Perez who is a magnificently assured artist with ample vocal resources. The role of Alfredo is also shared by two tenors, both making their FGO debut. Stephen Costello has sung at The Met, in Berlin and with Maestro Muti at the Salzburg Festival, Austria.Leonardo Capalbo has also sung in Berlin and London to great acclaim. The role of Germont also has two singers, on alternate nights; baritones Luis Ledesma and Mark Walters. The conductor is Aldo Sisillio from Italy. A promising opening night to the season with lots of debuts.

LA CENERENTOLA: Rossini’s setting of “Cinderella” has Jennifer Rivera and Julie Boulianne sharing the title role. Ms Rivera sings with richness of ease and exactness, she is ‘’someone to watch” said The New York Times. While Boulianne is possessed of a rich and lustrous purity of voice, a promising lyric artist. This production runs from Jan. 24-31, 2009. Tenor Frederic Antoun sings Prince Ramiro. Of his performance at New York City Opera as Prince Ramiro, Anthony Tommasini in the New York Times wrote, “Mr. Antoun is a dashing Canadian tenor with a sweet voice”. Originally designed for Baltimore Opera by Gary Eckhart , the costumes are by John Lehmeyer. The conductor is Joel Revzen, artistic director of Arizona Opera. He has conducted the Kirov Opera in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was artistic director of the Berkshire Opera in Massachusetts for 10 years.

LAKMÉ: Delibes lush vision of Southern India in the time of the British Raj is peopled by well meaning officers of the British Army, mystical princesses, Indian Brahmins and lowly peasants. With FGO favorite, Leah Partridge, whose soprano range is amazing, Leah will sing Lakmé. Sharing this role with Ms Partridge is Evelyn Pollock who has performed 35 diverse leading roles in opera already. You’ll hear both these wonderful sopranos sing the famous ‘’Bell Song” which the late Lily Pons made famous in her recording with husband, Andre Kostalanitz. Lakmé runs from Feb. 21 thru the 28th. Alternating the role of Gerald in this extraordinary story of ill fated love are tenors Bryan Griffin and Chad A. Johnson. Griffin has sung at Lyric Opera of Chicago in quite a few roles, and at Glyndebourne Opera in England in 2007 under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis. Chad Johnson has sung under Maestro James Levine at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Mass. and with the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, New York. The excellent baritone, Aaron St. Clair Nicholson, joins this cast as Frederic. Nicholson made his debut at The Met last year. The conductor is Stewart Robertson. High notes galore!

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO: Mozart’s masterpiece opens on March 21 and goes until March 28 with an all star cast, also alternating roles. Based on the Beaumarchais play set in pre revolutionary France, it’s about servants bettering their masters! Forbidden in France by the King, Marie Antoinette, his queen, had a secret reading of the play in her room at Versailles! Baritones Andrew Oakden and Keith Miller will sing Figaro. Sopranos Lauren Skuce and Valentina Farcas sing the maid,Susanna. Baritones Aaron St.Clair Nicholson and David Pittsinger share the role of Count Almaviva and the Countess is sung by Kelly Kaduce and Elizabeth Caballero. Oakden has sung with New York City Opera, Sarasota and Fort Worth Operas. Miller has appeared at the Metropolitan Opera over the last two seasons in seven productions. And, he was once a professional football player! Kaduce won hearts and minds in her recent performance of David Carlson’s ‘World Premier of  “Anna Karenina” at FGO. Elizabeth Cabellero was praised as having a thrilling pearly tone and an exacting technique by the New York Times. Of baritone David Pittsinger, the Opera News critic wrote, “I scrambled for my program to see who this marvelous singer could be.” Stewart Robertson will also direct this opera.

MADAMA BUTTERFLY: The season concludes with Puccini’s own favorite opera,“Butterfly”. The tale of Lt. Pinkerton, of the U.S. Navy, who takes a house and a Geisha for momentary pleasure in Nagasaki, Japan. It has everyone in tears at the end, because to the girl, Cio- Cio- San, (Butterfly), their relationship meant a lifetime of devotion and honest love. This opera runs from April 25 to May 3. Chinese soprano Shu-Ying Li shares Butterfly with Adina Aaron from Fort Lauderdale. Tenors Arturo Chacon-Cruz shares Pinkerton with Alessandro Liberatore. The maid Suzuki will be sung by Katharine Goeldner. Chacon-Cruz has appeared with Washington National Opera and has sung opposite Placido Domingo in Valencia, Spain. Liberatore studied singing and piano in Rome. He has won the Caruso singing prize and has appeared at the Arena di Verona with the late, great, tenor Luciano Pavarotti in Monte Carlo.Mezzo Katharine Goeldner who sings Suzuki  made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Lulu under Maestro James Levine. She has also sung at the Salzburg Festival and with New York City Opera. The gifted and talented Bernard Uzan,who once ran the Young Artists Program at FGO, will be the Director and Maestro Stewart Robertson will conduct the season closer.

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