The Living Opera announces 2009 season

by PegNews wire

The Living Opera in its continuing mission to bring to the North Texas community the highest quality in opera that is both imaginative and theatrical is proud to announce the company's 2009 5th Anniversary Season celebrating "Myths & Legends".

The new season - programmed by Executive Director Adam Adolfo and Conductor Gregory Sullivan Isaacs - is an ambitious collection of works for the opera theatre and include a beloved classic, a family fairy tale, and a world premier! "Our goal," says Adolfo "was to collect Myths & Legends from the four corners of the Earth to celebrate music and capture the imagination."

In addition to its season repertoire, The Living Opera is proud to announce that it is converting to a repertory festival format, condensing its entire season into a three-week period in the late summer. "What we recognized," offers Adolfo, "was there was time where very little was happening musically, and our audiences were starving for more options. The season schedule is not that different then how other companies are producing. This allows a great opportunity to see multiple productions in a single weekend."

Season tickets are available right now for a discount and can be ordered online. When you purchase tickets before October 31st, you will receive 20% off your tickets (price reflected below) and free parking vouchers for each performance.

Here is what is coming in the summer of 2009:

• Gilbert & Sullivan: LIVE! On Stage! The season opens with Gilbert & Sullivan: LIVE! On Stage!, an evening celebrating the topsy-turvy music and lyrics of the legendary duo. The partnership that brought us Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, and The Mikado is brought to life as W.S. Gilbert & Sir Arthur Sullivan take the stage next to the TLO Company and Chorus. Witness their mythic quarrel as they bicker, bully, and bludgeon each other while showing us how they constructed their operettas! This one-time-only special event will be at the Eisemann Center on July 18th at 7:30 pm.
• Puccini's Madame Butterfly. The Far East is represented by one of the world's most beloved operas in the story of Madame Butterfly by Giacamo Puccini. According to legend, Madame Butterfly was born of the memoirs of Jeannie Correll, which inspired the David Belasco play. Puccini was in the audience and was moved to adapt this love story of a young Japanese geisha who is carelessly tossed aside by her American naval lover; making the rest opera history. Reflecting contemporary interests in the Orient, he combined exotic musical undertones with a mastery of realistic characterization to create this work of genius. Full of soaring melodies and glorious orchestral interludes TLO proudly presents an intimate retelling of Cio-Cio San's passion, abandonment, and eventual downfall. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Performances are July 23, 29, August 1st at 7:30 pm with a matinee on the 26th of July at 2:00 pm.
• Andre Gretry's Beauty & The Beast. From the frigid arctic north comes the story of the young woman who comes to appreciate a big, fierce man-beast and whose love tames his raging heart. French composer Andre Gretry's Beauty and the Beast (Zemire et Azor) is brought to the stage. The fairy tale myth is found around the world in diverse cultures as far as China and as close as Mexico. There is a Norse myth which tells the tale of a young woman who falls in love with a beastly polar bear. This variation of the Beauty and the Beast tale is the inspiration for TLO's fiercely imaginative new staging set in the mystic magical winter wonderland called the Arctic. Featuring magical costuming with puppetry, this fantastical, familiar, and fast-moving myth is a pleasure for children of all ages and is the perfect introduction to the world of opera. Reportedly having been a favorite of Mozart's, Beauty and the Beast features a clever score with a beautiful story of forgiveness, hope, and love. Sung in English with supertitles. Performances are July 24, 28, 31, at 7:30 pm and a matinee on August 2nd at 2:00 pm.
• The Yellow Rose of Texas. World Premiere. For our legend from the west, we search no further then our own back yard, for Texas is rich in lore and legend. TLO proudly presents the World Premier of The Yellow Rose of Texas. Set in the days of the Texas War for Independence, the legend offers the tale of Emily de Zavala (wife of the Vice President of the Republic), who was seized by Mexican forces during the Texas looting of Galveston, and seduced by General Santa Ana (President of Mexico and commander of the Mexican forces). The legend credits her supposed seduction with lowering the guard of the Mexican army and facilitating the Texan victory in the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna's opponent was General Sam Houston, who won the battle literally in minutes, and with almost no casualties. With tuneful and romantic music by the Pulitzer Prize nominated composer Gregory Sullivan Isaacs, and a libretto by critically acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Haddow, this new work offers the untold legend of a true Texan heroine. Performances are July 17, 25, 30 at 7:30 pm with a 2:00 pm matinee on July 19th.

Posted by Shawn