Palm Beach Opera Announces 2018-2019 Season,
Including Exciting New Concert
- Rising Stars of Opera– Dec. 18, 2018
- Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata– Jan. 25-27, 2019
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni– Feb. 22-24, 2019
- Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus– Mar. 22-24, 2019
(West Palm Beach, FL – February 7, 2018) Palm Beach Opera today announced its 2018-2019 mainstage opera season, which will include performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, as well as a new concert, Rising Stars of Opera. All of Palm Beach Opera’s thrilling and elaborate productions will be performed in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall at the Kravis Centerfor the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach.
Rising Stars of Opera – Dec. 18
The 2018-2019 season opens on Tuesday, Dec. 18, with the company’s new Rising Stars of Opera concert, which will feature the talented young singers of Palm Beach Opera’s rigorous Benenson Young Artist and Apprentice Artist programs. With more than 600 applicants in a single season, Palm Beach Opera’s growing training programs continue to be a launching pad for emerging artists. The Rising Stars of Opera concert is designed to showcase and celebrate the next generation of opera singers, and will also feature the Palm Beach Opera orchestra.
“We are thrilled to highlight the exceptional singers of our Benenson Young Artist and Apprentice Artist programs in this exciting new concert,” said Managing Director David Walker. “This will be a unique opportunity for audiences to enjoy rising stars on the brink of international stardom.”
Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata – Jan. 25-27
The first opera of the 2018-2019 season is Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, the heartbreaking story of a Parisian courtesan’s impossible choice between love and moral obligation. Tenor Alexey Tatarintsev will return to Palm Beach Opera as Alfredo Germont. He recently appeared in the company’s production of Rigoletto. Appearing on the Palm Beach Opera stage for the first time, Baritone Massimo Cavalletti, who recently debuted with the Paris Opera, will play Giorgio Germont. The cast and orchestra will be led by Verdi specialist Maestro Antonello Allemandi, who previously conducted the company’s internationally acclaimed production of Rigoletto. Performances of La Traviatawill run at the Kravis Center Friday through Sunday, Jan. 25-27.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni – Feb. 22-24
Palm Beach Opera will present a film noir-inspired production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, a tale of a libertine’s arrogance, corruption, and unrepentance. Palm Beach Opera’s Chief Conductor Maestro David Sternwill lead the cast and orchestra for this production, marking another successful season with the company. Another Palm Beach Opera debut performance, the title role of Don Giovanni will be performed by Baritone Andrei Bondarenko, who sang the same role for a Sony Classics recording of the opera. Director Kristine McIntyre, who has directed more than 80 operas across the country, will make her Palm Beach Opera debut. Bass Joshua Bloom, who has been praised by The Independent for his “thunderous sound,” will play the role of Leporello in his first performance with the company. Soprano Caitlin Lynch, who can be seen as The Countess in Palm Beach Opera’s upcoming production of Le nozze di Figaro in March this year, will share the role of Donna Elvira with Danielle Pastin, a soprano who has been praised by Opera News for her “lovely demeanor and irresistibly creamy timbre.”
Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus – March 22-24
Palm Beach Opera’s 2018-2019 will close with Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, a comedic series of mischief, intrigue, and revenge set at a lavish Viennese ball on New Year’s Eve. Palm Beach Opera Chief Conductor Maestro David Stern will also conduct this high-spirited comedy, and Artistic Director of Opera at Manhattan School of Music Dona Vaughn will serve as the Director. Keri Alkema, who captivated audiences in Palm Beach Opera’s recent production of Tosca, returns for another season with the company in role of Rosalinde. World-renowned mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe will sing the role of Orlofsky, returning to Palm Beach Opera after a critically-acclaimed performance in the company’s The Pirates of Penzance. Soprano Anna Christy, who has been celebrated by The New York Times as “nimble of voice, body and spirit,” will make her company debut in the role of Adele. Another company debut, tenor Zachary Borichevsky will perform as Eisensetin, a role the artist has performed at Cincinnati Opera.
The company’s annual Children’s Performance will be a one-hour abridged version of Die Fledermaus, (“The Revenge of the Bat”) for children and families, starring members of the Benenson Young Artist and Apprentice Artist programs, conducted by Associate Conductor and Chorus Master Greg Ritchey.
“The 2018-2019 season presents a delightful mix of classic favorites and an intoxicating comedy that will appeal to broad audiences,” said General Director Daniel Biaggi. “We are thrilled to showcase so many internationally-celebrated performers in such magnetic productions. As our subscriber family continues to grow, and as our expanding programs and community engagement efforts continue to reach new audiences, we are anticipating another extraordinary and successful season.”
How to Get Subscriptions to Palm Beach Opera’s 2018-2019 Season:
Subscription renewals are currently in progress. New subscriptions can be purchased starting Feb. 6. Details for additional upcoming events, as well as other community engagement programs, will be released at a later date, and will be available on the Palm Beach Opera website at www.pbopera.org.
About Palm Beach Opera:
Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing live opera at an international standard of excellence and to enriching the life of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of educational programs. Founded in 1961, the fully professional Palm Beach Opera presents main stage performances at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and is a proud member of OPERA America and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. For more information, please visit pbopera.org.