Press Release: Opera Memphis Announces 2009-2010 Season and Venue Changes

The Main Street Journal Website

(The following press release is published as it was received by the Main Street Journal.)

Opera Memphis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 6, 2009
CONTACT: Elizabeth Harris 901.202.4537

Opera Memphis Announces 2009-2010 Season and Venue Changes
How Deep is Your Love? Tests of Fidelity, Patience, Sacrifice…

After several years of producing mainstage performances solely at downtown’s Orpheum Theatre, Opera Memphis takes the MidSouth on a venue tour during its upcoming 2009-2010 season. The company explores suburban options Germantown Performing Arts Center and Clark Opera Memphis Center, returning to patrons’ beloved Orpheum Theatre for the season’s final production.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE at Germantown Performing Arts Center
Saturday October 31 & Tuesday November 3, 2009

COSI FAN TUTTE, often translated as “Women Are Like That,” is traditionally set in the 18th century. Opera Memphis has chosen to stage the opera in the roaring 20s with the performers singing downstage of the orchestra for an intimate 1920s night club experience. The roles of the “four lovers” will be performed by former and current Artists-In-Residence. Italian with English titles.

A Test of Fidelity: Two military men claim that their fiancées will be eternally faithful. When offered a wager from a an old skeptic who claims that all women are fickle, the men agree to pretend to be called off to war; soon they shall return in disguise and attempt to seduce each other’s lover.

Christoph Willibald Gluck’s ORPHEUS at the Clark Opera Memphis Center
Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, January 22-24, 29-31, 2010

Based on the Greco-Roman myth of Orpheus’ descent to Hades to retrieve his beloved Eurydice, ORPHEUS will feature three singers in the role of Orpheus on successive nights – a tenor, a countertenor, and a mezzo soprano. The Clark Opera Memphis Center will be transformed into a playing space with raised seating for the production. Partners New Ballet Ensemble will choreograph and perform the opera’s ballet. Performed in English.

A Test of Patience: Orpheus, stricken with grief over the death of his wife Eurydice, is approached by Amore (Cupid), who tells him that he may retrieve Eurydice from the Underworld under the condition that he not look at her until they are back on earth.

Giacomo Puccini’s MADAME BUTTERFLY at the Orpheum Theatre
Saturday April 17 & Tuesday April 20, 2010

Puccini’s MADAME BUTTERFLY is a staple of the opera repertoire and the most often performed opera in the United States. The Opera Memphis production features a modern yet traditionally Japanese costume and scenic design by renowned ceramic artist Jun Kaneko. A live simulcast of the opera will take place at the Levitt Shell in midtown’s Overton Park during the April 20 performance. Italian with English titles.

A Test of Sacrifice: Japanese beauty Butterfly abandons her ancestral religion, as she has fallen in love with an American soldier (Pinkerton). Pinkerton is called to return to the “big country” after pledging his eternal love to Butterfly. For years, Butterfly awaits the return of Pinkerton.

Season subscriptions are now available. Subscription packages start at $36, and payment plans are available. The Opera Memphis box office is located at 6745 Wolf River Parkway (corner of Wolf River Parkway and Kirby). To purchase subscriptions, call the box office at 901.257.3100 or visit www.operamemphis.org.

Opera Memphis’ 2009-2010 season is sponsored by the Adams Foundation, Arts Memphis, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

###

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks