FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 2, 2004

CONTACT: Kyle Daniels

 (714) 830-6307

                            Kdaniels@operapacific.org

 

 

 

 

 

Orange County, Calif. — Opera Pacific’s 19^th season of grand opera in Southern California will open on Tuesday, November 9, 2004, and continue through Sunday, August 14, 2005, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa. The main-stage season presented at the Orange County Performing Arts Center will begin with Giacomo Puccini’s exquisite Turandot, November 9, 11, 13, 14, 2004; it continues with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s timeless comedy The Marriage of Figaro, January 18, 20, 22, 23, 2005; Camille Saint-Saëns powerful Samson and Delilah, February 22, 24, 26, 27, 2005; and conclude with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata May 17, 19, 21, 22, 2005.  The final production of the season, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, will occur at the Pacific Amphitheater on the Orange County Fairgrounds August 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2005.

 

Opening the season, Opera Pacific invites the audience to journey to the Far East with a breath-taking production of Giacomo Puccini’s final masterpiece Turandot, November (9, 11, 13, 14, 2004). Featuring exotic sets and costumes, this tale of the cruel and vengeful Princess Turandot stars noted American soprano Adrienne Dugger and Opera Pacific favorite Turid Karlsen (Salome, 2003; Il Trovatore, 2003) alternating the title role.   Russian soprano Zvetelina Vassileva (Il Trovatore, 2003) stars as Liù and Frank Poreta makes his Opera Pacific debut as Calàf.

 

January (18, 20, 22, 23, 2005) sees the staging of Mozart’s ageless comedy of errors, The Marriage of Figaro. Beaumarchais’ delicious tale of the servant Figaro who outwits his lustful master Count Almaviva, combined with Mozart’s music, adds up to one of the greatest of all operatic masterpieces.  Opera Pacific presents a first-rate cast including vivacious opera-star Ana Maria Martinez as the heartbroken but determined Countess. Returning to the Opera Pacific stage are Kyle Ketelsen (Don Giovanni, 2002; La Bohème, 2002; Così fan tutte, 2004) as the wily Figaro and Sari Gruber (Don Giovanni, 2001) as Figaro’s beloved Susanna.  World-renowned mezzo-sopranos Marie Lenormand and Katherine Ciesinski appear as Cherubino and Marcellina.

 

February (22, 24, 26, 27, 2005) features Camille Saint-Saëns’ monumental work Samson and Delilah.  Considered some of the French repertoire’s most exquisite music, the opera conveys the story of Delilah and her determination to uncover the secret of Samson’s invincible strength, his carefully maneuvered seduction, the uninhibited bacchanal and the final breathtaking destruction of the temple of Dagon.  The production reunites a stellar leading cast from Salome (2003), including Allan Glassman as Samson, Milena Kitic as Delilah, and Christopher Robertson as the High Priest of Dagon.  

 

La Traviata, Verdi’s heart-wrenching tale of self-sacrificing love concludes the main-stage productions of the 2004 - 2005 season, May (17, 19, 21, 22, 2005). Internationally renowned sopranos Dina Kuznetsova and Jennifer Welch-Babidge make their Company debuts alternating as the devoted heroine Violetta. Young American tenor Garrett Sorenson also makes his Opera Pacific debut as the love-stricken Alfredo and English baritone Ashley Holland (Madame Butterfly, 2003) returns to Opera Pacific as Germont, Alfredo’s father.

 

Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic The Pirates of Penzance will take place at the Pacific Amphitheater on the Orange County Fairgrounds August (6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 2005).  Presented in English, the show is filled with such unforgettable songs such as “Poor Wondering One” and the Major General’s “I am the very model.” The Pirates of Penzance was an immediate hit since its premiere in 1879 and takes its place today as one of the most popular and enduring works of musical theater. It is especially exciting for the Company to present this joyous production of entertaining music and silliness at this outdoor venue, making it a perfect evening for families and children of all ages. 

One of America’s top 10 opera companies, Opera Pacific presents a full season of grand opera. All main-stage Opera Pacific performances will be held in the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for all performances running Tuesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. for all Sunday matinees. The final production of the 2004 - 2005 Season will take place at the Pacific Amphitheater located on the Orange County Fairgrounds with a curtain time of 8:30 p.m. Subscriptions for the main-stage season go on sale January 2, 2004, and range from $99 -$985.  Single tickets for the main-stage season go on sale September 1, 2004 and range from $35-$185.  For ticket information, details and promotions on The Pirates of Penzance, please call 1 800 34 OPERA.

 

###