Welcome to Knoxville Opera!
2009 – 2010 Season
3rd Annual
Oak Ridge Community Concert
Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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Free Admission
Sponsored by:
EnergySolutions and B&W Y-12
This concert will feature 3 show-stopping bravura numbers by our Lucia, Rachele Gilmore, and here is the REALLY great news:
Rachele made an unexpected, triumphant debut on 3 hours notice at the Metropolitan Opera on December 23, 2009 singing the highest notes ever by a soprano in Met Opera history. And they were spectacular! You can enjoy her live Met performance at this link: http://ow.ly/RsBn.
Excerpts of Rachele’s wide repertoire may be found on her website www.RacheleGilmore.com.
The concert program, which features the Oak Ridge Chorus, includes highlights from Knoxville Opera and UT Opera Theatre 2010 productions.
In addition to singing selections from Lucia, The Tales of Hoffmann, and The Daughter of the Regiment, Rachele will perform a scene from Knoxville Opera’s production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Also featured will be selections from Knoxville Opera’s production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance and UT Opera Theatre’s upcoming production of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi as well as Verdi’s Rigoletto and Bellini’s Norma. Featured performers include UT Opera Theatre Director Carroll Freeman, Rachel Anne Moore, Stefan Barner and Jesse Stock.
Lucia di Lammermoor
by Gaetano Donizetti
Production dedicated to Dame Joan Sutherland, whose difinitive portrayal of Lucia has inspired generations of opera fans.
Start Valentine’s weekend with Donizetti’s romantic masterpiece. The Metropolitan Opera’s stunning new star Rachele Gilmore stars as Lucia. The cast features Knoxville favorites tenor Dinyar Vania, baritone Nelson Martinez and veteran Metropolitan Opera bass Andrew Wentzel.
A Scottish tale of star-crossed lovers. After Lucia’s brother forces her into an arranged marriage, the distraught girl murders her husband on their wedding night. Famous musical highlights include the glorious Sextet and opera’s greatest Mad Scene, which has made sopranos into legends.
In Italian with projected English translations.
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 8:00 pm – Purchase Tickets
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 2:30 pm – Purchase Tickets
The Pirates of Penzance
by Gilbert & Sullivan
Actor David Keith (Golden Globe nominee for An Officer and a Gentleman) stars as The Pirate King. UT Opera Theatre Director Carroll Freeman portrays “the very model of a modern Major-General” and La Scala’s Julian Rodescu delivers his mammoth bass as the Police Sergeant. Soprano Rachel Anne Morre and tenor Marc Schreiner bring their beautiful young voices to Mabel and Frederic. You’ll delight in the hilarious antics of the pirates, the police and the Major-General’s bevy of beautiful daughters!
Presented In English.
Friday, March 12, 2010 at 8:00 pm – Purchase Tickets
Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 2:30 pm – Purchase Tickets
(Non-subscription production)
The Barber of Seville
by Gioachino Rossini
“Figaro…Figaro…Figaro!” Rossini returns to the Knoxville Opera festival that bears his name with a vibrant, exciting cast. Don’t miss this glittering romp about the escapades of Seville’s favorite barber (baritone Andrew Garland), who arranges for Count Almaviva (tenor Christopher Pfund) to marry the beautiful Rosina (soprano Jane Redding). Superb Metropoitan opera bass Kevin Burdette returns to his Knoxville home for the first time in five years. This sparkling comedy has inspired countless interpreters, from Bugs Bunny to Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire!
In Italian with projected English translations.
Friday, April 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm - Purchase Tickets
Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 2:30 pm - Purchase Tickets
Above photos by: ANNE M. PETERSON, Virginia Opera
Rossini Festival
Italian Street Fair

Founding Sponsors Dr. Monroe and Sandra Trout
One of the Southeast’s most alluring cultural attractions, the Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival brings a taste of Europe to East Tennessee and celebrates the color, fun and excitement of opera and Italian culture.
The Festival combines world class opera performances with a unique Italian Street Fair featuring art and craft exhibitions, internatioanl cuisine, and non-stop entertainment on four outdoor stages. A children’s Funzone completes the experience.
Saturday, April 24, Noon – 9:00 pm
Gay Street and Market Square, Downtown Knoxville
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Photos from the 2009 Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival Italian Street Fair
Knoxville Opera is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with productions that are made possible, in part, by generous funding from our patrons, the Tennessee Arts Commission, the City of Knoxville, the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation, and the Arts and Cultural Alliance.
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