Press Releases Opera Company of Philadelphia Opens the Season withJun Kaneko Production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly 09-18-2009 For Immediate Release:September 9, 2009 Contact: Tracy C. Galligher215-893-3600, ext. 204galligher@operaphila.org Opera Company of Philadelphia Opens the Season withJun Kaneko Production of Puccini’s Madama ButterflyCitywide Art Exhibit Celebrates the Return ofInternationally Acclaimed Artist Philadelphia, PA: The Opera Company opens the 2009-2010 Season with Puccini’s beloved classic Madama Butterfly with performances on October 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m at the Academy of Music. The production is designed by famed, contemporary artist Jun Kaneko, whose Fidelio at the Opera Company of Philadelphia was hailed as “the most visually striking production in its recent history,” (City Paper) and called “enthralling” by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Butterfly production, originally designed for the opera company at Kaneko’s home base of Omaha, was praised in Opera magazine for its “… mixture of old traditions and modern aesthetic that was visually daring while remaining true to the essence of the music and drama.” To celebrate the return of this international artist, the Opera Company has partnered with Locks Gallery, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the City of Philadelphia for On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You, a public installation of Kaneko’s monumental art this fall at major Center City venues. Nine of Kaneko’s Dangos, sculptures that measure up to nine feet tall and each weighing nearly a ton, are on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building and the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza. Two of Kaneko’s colossal Heads, measuring over 10 feet tall, make their public debut at the Courtyard at City Hall. The Locks Gallery features an exhibit of the artists more intimate works from September 22 through October 31st. The centerpiece of the initiative is the Opera Company of Philadelphia production of the visually striking Madama Butterfly. The opera tells the story of a beautiful and faithful Japanese girl who weds an American officer only to be met with heartache when he returns stateside and takes an American wife. One of the most beloved works in all of opera, it features Puccini’s timeless, unforgettable melodies. Starring in the title role as Cio-Cio San is soprano Ermonela Jaho, who made her Opera Company of Philadelphia debut as Mimì in La bohème (2006) and returned as Liù in Turandot last season. Other recent roles include the title role of Anna Bolena in Paris and Lyon, France, Micaëla in Carmen with the Glyndebourne Festival and Violetta in La traviata at the Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden. As Lieutenant Pinkerton, tenor Roger Honeywell returns to the stage after starring opposite Jaho in La bohème (2006). He spent the fall of 2008 in the role of Captain Nolan in Doctor Atomic at the Metropolitan Opera, and 2009 took him to both l’Opéra de Montréal as Macduff in Macbeth and to Santa Fe Opera, where he created the role of Geoff Hammond in the World Premiere of The Letter. Baritone Troy Cook (La bohème, 2006) sings the role of Sharpless, following recent performances as Marcello in Bohème with Florida Grand Opera and concert performances in Bilbao, Spain. As Suzuki, Butterfly’s faithful handmaiden, mezzo-soprano Maria Zifchak makes her Company debut. Her spring 2009 season was comprised of a number of roles at the Metropolitan Opera, including Suzuki, Albine in Thaïs, and Inez in Il trovatore. Tenor David Portillo returns following his multiple roles in last season’s L’enfant and Gianni Schicchi, singing the role of Goro, the marriage broker. Bass Kirk Eichelberger sings the role of the Bonze after his appearance as Don Fernando in last season’s Fidelio, with Curtis alum Elliot Madore making his Company debut as Yamadori and mezzo-soprano Maren Montalbano also in her OCP debut as Kate Pinkerton. Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris conducts following a summer season spent at Santa Fe Opear, and American director Cynthia Stokes makes her Opera Company debut with this dramatic and eye-pleasing season opener. Stokes’ directing credits include Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera and San Diego Opera, and her theatrical credits include La Jolla Playhouse and New York Theatre Workshop. Lighting is designed by Drew Billiau, with costume direction from Richard St. Clair. MADAMA BUTTERFLYGiacomo PucciniOctober 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m, 2009Performed in Italian with English translations at the Academy of Music Cio-Cio San Ermonela Jaho Suzuki, her maid Maria Zifchak*B. F. Pinkerton Roger HoneywellSharpless Troy CookGoro David PortilloBonze Kirk EichelbergerPrince Yamadori Elliot Madore*Kate Pinkerton Maren Montalbano*Imperial Commissioner: Jeffrey Chapman* / Registrar: Justin Hopkins / Yakuside: Paul Vetrano / Cousin: Veronica Chapman-Smith / Mother: Karen Blanchard / Aunt: Susan Polack Conductor Corrado RovarisDirector Cynthia Stokes*Set & Costume Design Jun KanekoLighting Design Drew Billiau ADDITIONAL OPERA COMPANY INFORMATION:Madama Butterfly, Tea and La traviata take place at The Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets. Curtis Opera Theatre’s Antony & Cleopatra and OCP’s Orphée & Eurydice will take place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce Streets. To subscribe to Opera at the Academy, Opera at the Perelman, or a full-five series, call Opera Company Subscriber Services at 215-732-8400 or visit www.operaphila.org. Available remaining single tickets go on sale in August 2009. Performance times: Wednesdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Sunday matinees at 2:30pm.Individual tickets priced from $7 - $210. ADVANTA is proud to be the Season Sponsor of the Opera Company of Philadelphia since 1993. US Airways is the official airline of the Opera Company. YAMAHA is the official piano of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Burdumy Motors Incorporated is the official automotive dealership of the Opera Company. The Opera Company of Philadelphia is supported by major grants from The William Penn Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Lenfest Foundation. Additional support is provided by Independence Foundation, Jacob Burns Foundation, Otto Haas Charitable Trust #2, and Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation. The Opera Company of Philadelphia receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. -##-
Press Releases
For Immediate Release:September 9, 2009
Contact: Tracy C. Galligher215-893-3600, ext. 204galligher@operaphila.org
Opera Company of Philadelphia Opens the Season withJun Kaneko Production of Puccini’s Madama ButterflyCitywide Art Exhibit Celebrates the Return ofInternationally Acclaimed Artist
Philadelphia, PA: The Opera Company opens the 2009-2010 Season with Puccini’s beloved classic Madama Butterfly with performances on October 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m at the Academy of Music. The production is designed by famed, contemporary artist Jun Kaneko, whose Fidelio at the Opera Company of Philadelphia was hailed as “the most visually striking production in its recent history,” (City Paper) and called “enthralling” by The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Butterfly production, originally designed for the opera company at Kaneko’s home base of Omaha, was praised in Opera magazine for its “… mixture of old traditions and modern aesthetic that was visually daring while remaining true to the essence of the music and drama.”
To celebrate the return of this international artist, the Opera Company has partnered with Locks Gallery, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the City of Philadelphia for On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera & You, a public installation of Kaneko’s monumental art this fall at major Center City venues. Nine of Kaneko’s Dangos, sculptures that measure up to nine feet tall and each weighing nearly a ton, are on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Perelman Building and the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza. Two of Kaneko’s colossal Heads, measuring over 10 feet tall, make their public debut at the Courtyard at City Hall. The Locks Gallery features an exhibit of the artists more intimate works from September 22 through October 31st.
The centerpiece of the initiative is the Opera Company of Philadelphia production of the visually striking Madama Butterfly. The opera tells the story of a beautiful and faithful Japanese girl who weds an American officer only to be met with heartache when he returns stateside and takes an American wife. One of the most beloved works in all of opera, it features Puccini’s timeless, unforgettable melodies.
Starring in the title role as Cio-Cio San is soprano Ermonela Jaho, who made her Opera Company of Philadelphia debut as Mimì in La bohème (2006) and returned as Liù in Turandot last season. Other recent roles include the title role of Anna Bolena in Paris and Lyon, France, Micaëla in Carmen with the Glyndebourne Festival and Violetta in La traviata at the Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden.
As Lieutenant Pinkerton, tenor Roger Honeywell returns to the stage after starring opposite Jaho in La bohème (2006). He spent the fall of 2008 in the role of Captain Nolan in Doctor Atomic at the Metropolitan Opera, and 2009 took him to both l’Opéra de Montréal as Macduff in Macbeth and to Santa Fe Opera, where he created the role of Geoff Hammond in the World Premiere of The Letter.
Baritone Troy Cook (La bohème, 2006) sings the role of Sharpless, following recent performances as Marcello in Bohème with Florida Grand Opera and concert performances in Bilbao, Spain. As Suzuki, Butterfly’s faithful handmaiden, mezzo-soprano Maria Zifchak makes her Company debut. Her spring 2009 season was comprised of a number of roles at the Metropolitan Opera, including Suzuki, Albine in Thaïs, and Inez in Il trovatore. Tenor David Portillo returns following his multiple roles in last season’s L’enfant and Gianni Schicchi, singing the role of Goro, the marriage broker. Bass Kirk Eichelberger sings the role of the Bonze after his appearance as Don Fernando in last season’s Fidelio, with Curtis alum Elliot Madore making his Company debut as Yamadori and mezzo-soprano Maren Montalbano also in her OCP debut as Kate Pinkerton.
Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris conducts following a summer season spent at Santa Fe Opear, and American director Cynthia Stokes makes her Opera Company debut with this dramatic and eye-pleasing season opener. Stokes’ directing credits include Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera and San Diego Opera, and her theatrical credits include La Jolla Playhouse and New York Theatre Workshop. Lighting is designed by Drew Billiau, with costume direction from Richard St. Clair.
MADAMA BUTTERFLYGiacomo PucciniOctober 9, 11m, 14, 16 & 18m, 2009Performed in Italian with English translations at the Academy of Music
Cio-Cio San Ermonela Jaho Suzuki, her maid Maria Zifchak*B. F. Pinkerton Roger HoneywellSharpless Troy CookGoro David PortilloBonze Kirk EichelbergerPrince Yamadori Elliot Madore*Kate Pinkerton Maren Montalbano*Imperial Commissioner: Jeffrey Chapman* / Registrar: Justin Hopkins / Yakuside: Paul Vetrano / Cousin: Veronica Chapman-Smith / Mother: Karen Blanchard / Aunt: Susan Polack
Conductor Corrado RovarisDirector Cynthia Stokes*Set & Costume Design Jun KanekoLighting Design Drew Billiau ADDITIONAL OPERA COMPANY INFORMATION:Madama Butterfly, Tea and La traviata take place at The Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets. Curtis Opera Theatre’s Antony & Cleopatra and OCP’s Orphée & Eurydice will take place at the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce Streets.
To subscribe to Opera at the Academy, Opera at the Perelman, or a full-five series, call Opera Company Subscriber Services at 215-732-8400 or visit www.operaphila.org. Available remaining single tickets go on sale in August 2009.
Performance times: Wednesdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Sunday matinees at 2:30pm.Individual tickets priced from $7 - $210.
ADVANTA is proud to be the Season Sponsor of the Opera Company of Philadelphia since 1993. US Airways is the official airline of the Opera Company. YAMAHA is the official piano of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Burdumy Motors Incorporated is the official automotive dealership of the Opera Company. The Opera Company of Philadelphia is supported by major grants from The William Penn Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Lenfest Foundation. Additional support is provided by Independence Foundation, Jacob Burns Foundation, Otto Haas Charitable Trust #2, and Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation. The Opera Company of Philadelphia receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
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