Lucia Di Lammermoor – 2017
Gaetano Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor November 10, 2017 Inspired by a novel by Sir Walter Scott, Lucia di Lammermoor is told through the masterful music of Gaetano Donizetti. Referred to as a Scottish version of Romeo and Juliet, Lucia and Edgardo are two innocent young lovers who quickly realize that not even the strongest passion […]
Carmen – 2016
Georges Bizet Carmen November 11, 2016 Written by Georges Bizet, Carmen is one of the most well-known operas. The cast features Rhea Olivacce as Carmen, the exotic gypsy, who dominated every man she encountered. It follows the title character as she gains the favor of a soldier, Jose, who is already involved with Micaela all […]
Elixir of Love – 2015
Gaetano Donizetti L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) November 13, 2015 Synopsis Cast The Elixir of Love, one of Donizetti’s most popular operas, including The Daughter of the Regiment, Don Pasquale, and Lucia di Lammermoor (which will have its first Opera Western Reserve production in November 2017) “Elixir” was written when he was thirty-four years […]
Don Giovanni – 2014
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Don Giovanni November 14, 2014 Synopsis Cast ACT I Seville, mid-18th century. Leporello, servant to the nobleman Don Giovanni, keeps watch outside the Commendatore’s home at night. Suddenly, the Commendatore’s daughter, Donna Anna, rushes out, struggling with the masked Giovanni and followed by her father. The Commendatore challenges Giovanni to a duel […]
La Bohemé – 2013
Giacomo Puccini La Bohemé November 15, 2013 Synopsis Cast Italian libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi IllicaAdapted from the novel Scenes de la Vie Bohème by Henri Murger ACT I It is Christmas Eve in Paris in the 1890s and Rodolfo, the writer, and Marcello, the painter, are trying to concentrate on their work in […]
The Barber of Seville – 2012
Giachino Rossini The Barber of Seville November 09, 2012 Synopsis Cast Act I Seville, 1800s. At night, Count Almaviva brings a band of musicians to serenade Rosina, ward of Dr. Bartolo, who keeps the girl confined in his house. When Rosina fails to answer his song, the count pays the players, and they leave. At […]
Tosca – 2011
Giacomo Puccini Tosca November 11, 2011 Synopsis Cast ACT I The Church of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome, 1800, noon. Angelotti, a political prisoner, has escaped from Castel Sant’Angelo and takes cover in the church where his sister, the Marchesa Attavanti, has left him the key to the family chapel. He is discovered by the […]
La Traviata – 2010
Giuseppe Verdi La Traviata November 10, 2010 Synopsis Cast ACT I Violetta Valéry, a young courtesan, famous in the Parisian high society, throws a party in her home. Here, Gaston, Viscount of Letorières, introduces a new admirer to her, Alfredo Germont. He confesses that the moment he saw her, he was fascinated by her beauty […]
Carmen – 2009
George Bizet Carmen November 13, 2009 Synopsis Cast ACT I Scene 1 A company of soldiers lounge at a street corner outside their post in Seville. The officer on guard, Morales, tries to flirt with Micaela, a shy young country girl who has come to ask for the brigadier Don Jose, but the girl retreats. […]
Madama Butterfly – 2008
Giacomo Puccini Madama Butterfly November 14, 2008 Synopsis Cast Setting: The action takes place in the early 20th century in and around Butterfly’s house on a hill near Nagasaki, Japan. Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton, an officer in the U.S. Navy, is captivated with Cio-Cio San, a young geisha. Pinkerton’s desire for Butterfly is so strong that […]