From the Executive Director/Conductor
Dear Patrons,
I am delighted to welcome you to our 2011-2012 Season, filled with exciting debuts and new productions. As the season progresses on stage you will notice that we are using what is called a “unit set” to tell all three stories of the “star-crossed lovers.” Each will be presented with lavish period costumes, unique staging and lighting and their respective special props (i.e. Juliet’s balcony, Otello’s throne). We are all looking forward to seeing the creativity of our stage directors in using the multi-leveled platforms and 26-foot high columns!
This is also the season of our Shakespeare Project as the company includes operatic music inspired by Shakespeare plays in almost every production and education/outreach program. Adults and students will be enjoying music by Bellini, Berlioz, Gounod, Handel, Nicolai, Rossini, Thomas, Verdi, Wagner and Zandonai from operas based on works of the Bard. In addition, Knox County Middle Schools will be playing host to 14 performances of our abbreviated staged version of Romeo and Juliet, a Knoxville Opera first!
Inaugurating our season at the Tennessee Theatre in October will be Verdi’s beloved La Traviata in an intriguing new production by director Keturah Stickann (returning from her successful Manon last February). Headlining the cast as Violetta will be the Metropolitan Opera’s fabulous Joyce El-Khoury who was our 2009 Nedda in Pagliacci. Exciting newcomer Zach Borichevsky will debut as the broken-hearted Alfredo, and Mark Womack (our rich-voiced Sharpless in last season’s Madama Butterfly) will play his father. Vocal highlights include Violetta’s explosive “Sempre libera” in Act 1 and Germont’s gorgeous aria “Di provenza” in Act 2.
To help you plan for a romantic Valentine weekend in February we are presenting the most famous love story of all time, Romeo & Juliette, featuring Gounod’s luscious music. You don’t want to miss the dynamic duo of Metropolitan Opera tenor Noah Stewart and Puerto Rican soprano Zulimar López-Hernández in their local debuts as they fire up the passions of the sensuous, hot-blooded Italian lovers! As Friar Laurence, Metropolitan Opera bass Andrew Wentzel will have the honor of performing their onstage wedding. Stage Director Candace Evans will make her company debut.
During April’s 11th Annual Rossini Festival, Knoxville Opera will proudly present the return of Verdi’s dramatic masterpiece Otello. Internationally renowned tenor Michael Austin will make his local debut as the Moor of Venice, Greek soprano Kassandra Dimopoulou will make her American debut as Desdemona, and stentorian baritone Scott Bearden will return (Pagliacci, 2009) as the evil Iago who transforms Otello’s love for his wife into unfounded jealousy and murder.
In addition to our three staged productions, please join us for our signature free-admission education/outreach events:
- 3rd annual Knoxville Opera Goes to Church…A Celebration of Talent!
October 9, 2011, 4:30 pm, Great Warner Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church, Knoxville
Featuring the Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir and stars from La Traviata - 5th annual Oak Ridge Community Concert
January 22, 2012, 3 pm, Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Featuring ORCMA’s Oak Ridge Chorus and stars from Romeo & Juliette - 11th annual Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival International Street Fair
April 28, 2012, 11 am – 9 pm, Gay Street, Downtown Knoxville
Our customary 800 performers and over 125 food and artisan vendors will be there for your pleasure along with the traditional Children’s FunZone on Market Square
We look forward to having you in the audience for another unforgettable season!
Brian Salesky
Executive Director and Conductor
