Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Opera Hamilton has announced its line-up of productions for the 2013-2014 Season – the 34th year of producing first-class music and theatre in this community. The season will open with a new production of Verdi’s final work and comic masterpiece Falstaff – October 19th, 22nd, 24th and 26th (matinee). The Falstaff cast will include John Fanning in the title role, with James Westman, Lyne Fortin, Ariana Chris, and the company debuts of Canadian soprano sensation Sasha Djihanian and American tenor Theo Lebow. Allison Grant (Carmen (2005) and Don Giovanni (2006)) returns to direct a new “Elizabethan - inspired” production, based on parts of three Shakespeare plays.
POPERA PLUS – Opera Hamilton’s showcase for Canada’s leading opera stars, the Opera Hamilton Orchestra and Chorus – will grace the stage of The Dofasco Centre for the Arts on January 11th, 16th and 18th (matinee). This year’s participants will include soprano Laura Whalen, mezzo soprano Rihab Chaieb and tenor Antoine Belanger.
The season will close – April 19th, 22nd, 24th and 26th (matinee) with a new production of one of opera’s most dramatic and beloved scores - Georges Bizet’s Carmen – returning to our stage after an absence of nine years. American mezzo soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson, who wowed audiences with her portrayal of Bizet’s infamous gypsy at last summer’s Glimmerglass Festival, will make her Canadian debut in this new production, joined by Richard Troxell as Don Jose, Robert Balonek as Escamillo and Jennifer Taverner as Micaela. Carmen will be directed by Rob Herriott whose previous work with the company includes Don Pasquale (2004) and La Traviata (2006).
All performances will feature the Opera Hamilton Chorus and Orchestra. Performances will be sung in their original language with projected English translations.
The company is also pleased to announce a new free event for its Season Subscribers – the live Final Concert of the Sheila and Marla Zack Voice Competition, with a $5000.00 scholarship awarded to one of Canada’s developing young artists (a graduating or graduate student from one of Southern Ontario’s fine Voice/Opera training programs). This year’s final concert will be held on Friday evening, October 25th at The Dofasco Centre for the Arts.
The commitment and continued dedication of its patrons over the past years has been essential in allowing Opera Hamilton to achieve its objectives of Artistic Excellence and the engagement and promotion of Canadian talent. The company now looks forward to sharing with a growing community, the adventure of imaginative, spontaneous live theatre and music in an exciting new season.
2013-14 Season Subscriptions are now on sale, and Single Tickets for all productions will be available beginning September 3rd, 2013.
Box Office (905) 527 7627, ext. 236
Photo: John Fanning..
2013-10-03
Hamilton: Opera Hamilton announces its 2013/14 season soloists