FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2004

CONTACT: Francesca Catibayan

(714) 830-6312

 

 

Santa Ana, Calif. — Opera Pacific launches its 20th anniversary season this summer with three performances of The Pirates of Penzance at the Pacific Amphitheatre on August 6 and 7, 2005.  The company’s mainstage season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center begins with Puccini’s masterpiece of intrigue and betrayal, Tosca in November 2005, continues with a fresh take on Rossini’s Italian Girl in Algiers in January 2006, and concludes with a new production of Verdi’s Aida by renowned textile and fashion designer Zandra Rhodes in April 2006. 

 

Robert C. Jones, Opera Pacific’s President and Executive Director, made the announcement stating, “We have a broad range of outreach activity that is adjunct to our main subscription series.  This new season configuration is an effort to expand our audience by creating new interest and access while giving our core customer base a popular offering that meets the standard of performance on stage that they expect.”

 

Following the success of the 2004 “Opera Under the Stars” free community outreach concert at the Pacific Amphitheatre, Opera Pacific ventures into an outdoor venue as part of its subscription season for the first time since “Festa Italiana” at the Irvine Bowl in 2001. “This is a true milestone for the company,” said Artistic Director John DeMain.  “Expanding our repertoire into a venue of this size allows us to present the community with a spectacular theatrical experience at significantly reduced ticket prices.  We expect that many new attendees will join us for this classic from Gilbert and Sullivan and join us for the rest of our exciting season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.”

 

Presented in English, The Pirates of Penzance is filled with joyous music, contagiously quotable lyrics and hilariously entertaining scenes depicting the wacky misadventures of this lovable group of pirates.  With such unforgettable songs such as “Poor Wandering One” and the Major General’s “I Am the Very Model,” The Pirates of Penzance was an immediate hit at its premiere in 1879 and takes its place today as one of the most popular and enduring works of musical theater.

 

International opera star Nathan Gunn, whose skyrocketing career at Glyndbourne, Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera was recently profiled in both The New York Times and Opera News, will play the role of Richard, the Pirate King.  He leads a dream cast which includes Robert Orth as Major-General Stanley, Brandon Jovanovich as the young Frederic, Thomas Hammons as Edward, Sergeant of Police, Myrna Paris as Ruth and former Opera Pacific Resident Artist Megan Monaghan as Mabel.

 

Opera Pacific’s mainstage season begins with Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca on November 15, 17, 19, 20, 2005 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Hailed as Puccini’s greatest creative accomplishment, Tosca is cherished not only for its heart-wrenching melodies, but regarded as an unforgettable dramatic masterpiece. Tosca tells of the beautiful opera singer, Floria Tosca, played by stunning soprano and La Scala star, Doina Dimitriu, who finds herself torn between the painter she loves and the loathsome chief of police, who holds her lover’s fate in his hands.  Tosca also features commanding tenor Carlo Ventre as Tosca’s lover, Mario Cavaradossi, and Metropolitan Opera regular Richard Paul Fink as Baron Scarpia.  Created by Andrew Horn, this breathtaking production debuted at Baltimore Opera in 2001.  Filled with appalling treachery, murder and unbreakable love, the opera captures the events of a mere 17 hours amid the political turmoil of 19th-century Rome.

 

The New Year brings the long-awaited Opera Pacific premiere of Gioacchino Rossini’s Italian Girl in Algiers on January 24, 26, 28, 29, 2006.  Enjoyed for its unexpected visual treats, Rossini’s dazzling story cleverly retold in the late 1920’s aviation era, is both spontaneous and infectiously fun. The composer’s first overwhelming hit, Italian Girl in Algiers is a light-hearted tale featuring Jossie Perez, an “Opera Under the Stars” favorite from 2004, as the resourceful Isabella, who crash lands in Algiers only to find her long lost fiancé and herself held captive by the lecherous Mustafà, played by Richard Bernstein.  Operalia prizewinner Yasuharu Nakajima will sing the role of Isabella’s fiancé, Lindoro. Edward Hastings’ fresh take on this whimsical misadventure premiered with the Santa Fe Opera in 2002.  With sparkling melodies, show-stopping arias and wild escapades, Italian Girl in Algiers is one of opera’s treasured gems. 

 

The season ends with the world premiere of a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s epic masterpiece, Aida, on April 18, 20, 22, 23, 2006; created by award-winning designer Zandra Rhodes, who is recognized around the world for her intriguing style, creativity and innovation in design.  Opera Pacific’s first Aida in ten years will feature one of today’s most celebrated American sopranos, Angela Brown, recently hailed in the New York Times for her Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role.  Brown will be alternating in the role with Marquita Lister.  They are joined by world-renowned tenor Carl Tanner as Aida’s unlikely lover, Radames, alternating with Yu Qiang Dai, who captivated audiences with his stunning performance as Calaf in Opera Pacific’s November 2004 production of Turandot.  The role of Amneris, Aida’s jealous rival for Radames’ affection, will be sung by the Opera Pacific Diva Guild “DIVA of the year” Milena Kitic, alternating in the role with Jill Grove.  Set in the pageantry of ancient Egypt and strewn with the triumphal grandeur of Verdi’s music, Aida is one of the most moving and popular operas of all time.

 

John DeMain conducts Italian Girl in Algiers and Aida.  Tosca will be led by guest conductor Christian Badea.  Opera Pacific Assistant Conductor and Artistic Administrator Kelly Kuo will conduct The Pirates of Penzance.

 

 

The Pirates of Penzance will take place at the Pacific Amphitheater located on the Orange County Fairgrounds with a curtain time of 8:30 p.m.  The Pirates of Penzance tickets are on sale now and range from $25-$65.  All mainstage Opera Pacific performances will be held in the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for all performances running Tuesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. for all Sunday matinees. Subscriptions for the main-stage season go on sale January 12, 2005, and range from $99.25 -$587.  Single tickets for the mainstage season go on sale September 1, 2005 and range from $27-$191.