2005 Opera Program

Opera - Romèo et Juliette

Composer - Hector Berlioz

Berlioz, born in France in 1803 is another of our most famous composers who nearly embarked upon a decidedly non-musical career, he entered Paris Conservatory after leaving medical school.  He first acheived real fame in 1833 when his Symphonie Fantastique was first performed in Paris and was considered an innovation in program music.  In addition to his work as a musician, Berlioz is also an accomplished author whose memoirs, essays on the arts and music critism are highly regarded.

History of Romèo et Juliette and Synopsis

Berlioz was quite moved by Shakespeare’s work, is it said that his discovery of his plays had a profound impact on his developement as a composer.  This particular opera was composed in 1839 and first performed in Paris to an audience that included Richard Wagner! Although others have created operatic versions of this and others of Shakespeare’s plays, Berlioz’s composition is famed as genius musical recreation of the drama and beauty of Shakespeare’s words.

Teatro San Carlo

April 26, 27,28, 29 30

Conductor
Gary Bertini
Interpreters
Susan Platts, Steve Davislim, Orlin Anastassov
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF TEATRO DI SAN CARLO
Concert Version

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Opera - Rigoletto

Composer - Giuseppe Verdi

Born of humble origins as the son of an inn keeper, Verdi is the most famous of the great Italian opera composers. His genius as a dramatic composer with a unique style brought him a great deal of fame even during his lifetime. He was elected a senator and even offered the honorary title of Marquis, which he did not accept.  Among Verdi’s most famous works are La Traviata, Rigoletto and Aida.

History of Rigoletto and Synopsis

Among the most famous operes of all time, Rigoletto tells the sad tale of a hunchbacked court jester, hated by many at court for his acid tounge and lacerating wit.  The opera is sent in Mantua in 1500 and was composed in 1851, its story inspired by a tale by Victor Hugo.

Teatro San Carlo

May 17, 19 22, 24, 26, 28

Conductor
Antonino Fogliani
Director
Giancarlo Cobelli
Set and Costume Design
Paolo Tommasi
* * *
Main Interpreters
Rigoletto - Ambrogio Maestri
the Duke of Mantova - Tito Beltrán
Gilda - Ruth Ann Swenson / Maria Lanfranchi
Sparafucile - Konstantin Gorny
Maddalena - Chiara Chialli
* * *
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF TEATRO DI SAN CARLO
a Production of Teatro Comunale, Bologna

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Opera - Il Trovatore

Composer - Giuseppe Verdi

Born of humble origins as the son of an inn keeper, Verdi is the most famous of the great Italian opera composers. His genius as a dramatic composer with a unique style brought him a great deal of fame even during his lifetime. He was elected a senator and even offered the honorary title of Marquis, which he did not accept.  Among Verdi’s most famous works are La Traviata, Rigoletto and Aida.

History of Il Trovatore and Synopsis

Composed in 1853, this opera is the tragic tale of the Di Luna family, blessed with two young sons one of whom was abducted and never seen gain and the other of whom was cursed by an elderly witch.  From these beginnings, the story unfolds and a thousand unexpected twists and turns lead us to the dramatic finale

Note:  This performance will be held outdoors at Arena Flegrea , a 6,000 seat arena just outside of naples in the area known Furoigrotta.  Teatro san Carlo provided shuttle bus transport from just outside of the theatre to the arena for the cost of 5.00 Euro. For times and meeting points, please enquire near the date of the performance.

Arena Flegrea

July 20, 22, 24, 26, 28

Conductor, Director, Sets, Interpreters
to be announced
* * *
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF TEATRO DI SAN CARLO

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Opera - Il Socrate Immaginario

Composer - Giovanni Paisiello

Italian born in 1740, Paisello made his career as a court composer, serving in the court of Catherine II in St. Petersburg and also in Napoleone Bonaparte’s for a brief period.  In his long career, he composed nearly 100 operas along with religious compositions and a variety of other works.  He is best know for his opera, the Barber of Seville, written before Rossini’s and extraordinarily popular.

History of Il Socrate Immaginario and Synopsis

Very popular in its day but something of an undiscovered gem for today’s opera fans, this prime example of Neapolitan comic opera was first performed in 1775 and tells the tale of an old, dowdy philospher convinced that he is Socrates.

Teatro San Carlo

September 23, 25, 27, 29, October 1

* * *
Conductor
Gabriele Ferro
Director
Roberto De Simone
Set Design
Nicola Rubertelli
Costume Design
Zaira De Vincentiis
* * *
Interpreters
Donna Rosa - Gloria Scalchi
Emilia - Cinzia Forte
Lauretta - Maria Ercolano
Cilla - Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz
Ippolito - Juan José Lopera
Don Tammaro - Marco Vinco
Calandrino - Filippo Morace
* * *
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF TEATRO DI SAN CARLO
a New Production

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Opera - Tosca

Composer -Giacomo Puccini

Born in Lucca in 1858, Puccini has composed some of the best known (and loved) operas of all time, among them La Boheme, Tosca and Madame Butterfly.  He inherited his family’s musical legacy and began studying music quite early on. Undoubtedly among the greatest of the masters of operatic composition, orchestration and dramatic lyrical style are his trademarks.

History of Tosca and Synopsis

First performed in Rome in 1900, Tosca is based on a play that Puccini saw in Milan in 1887 starring none other than the legendary Sarah Bernhardt as the title character.  Puccini was so taken with it that he attempted, to no avail, to by the rights immediately.  Over 6 years later, the chance to compose the opera fell into Puccini’s hands again and he did not disappoint.  Opening to wide critical and popular acclaim, the tragic tale of a famous singer (Tosca) and her lover is among Puccini’s best loved operas.

Teatro San Carlo, October 22, 25, 28, November 2, 5, 6

* * *
Conductor
Günter Neuhold
Director
Alberto Fassini
Set and Costume Design
William Orlandi
* * *
Main Interpreters
Floria Tosca - Adina Nitescu
Mario Cavaradossi - Tzvetan Michailov / Carlo Barricelli
Scarpia - Alan Titus
Cesare Angelotti - Francesco Palmieri
Un Sagrestano - Matteo Peirone
* * *
ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS OF TEATRO DI SAN CARLO
a Production of Teatro Comunale, Bologna

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Note:

Jacket and tie required for men, evening wear for women.

Please arrive at the theatre at least 20 minutes before the opera begins.  Late comers will be admitted at intervals, no refunds will be given for late arrivals.