EarRelevant Staff | 11 JUN 2024
Cincinnati, OH— The Cincinnati Opera is set to dazzle audiences with a rich blend of performances during its 2024 Summer Festival, which kicked off on Sunday, June 9, with a free “Opera in the Park” concert in Washington Park featuring star singers from Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Brass Institute.
The Festival’s mainstage series opens this week at Music Hall, featuring a trifecta of productions, including Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Verdi’s La traviata, and the world premiere of a fully-staged version of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio.
The series begins on June 13 with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, a tale of the infamous seducer Don Juan, performed by a stellar cast including Elliot Madore in the title role and Jessica Rivera as Donna Elvira. With stage direction by Alison Moritz and conducted by Dame Jane Glover, the production promises to bring riveting drama and exquisite music to the Springer Auditorium.
On June 27, Verdi’s La traviata will take the stage with Gilda Fiume as Violetta and Santiago Ballerini as Alfredo. Lorenzo Passerini will conduct the performances, with stage direction by Trevore Ross. The production will delve into themes of love, sacrifice, and societal norms, enriched by Desmond Heeley’s scenic and costume designs.
A fully staged production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio will premiere on July 18, highlighting the festival’s innovative spirit. This adaptation of Paul McCartney’s 1991 work, co-written with Carl Davis, was inspired by McCartney’s memories of life in Liverpool and blends heartfelt lyrics with soaring melodies for a unique operatic experience.
In addition to the mainstage productions, the festival includes the popular Studio Sessions, featuring intimate cabaret-style performances in Wilks Studio at Music Hall. These sessions showcase world-class artists in a more personal setting. Highlights include Jacqueline Echols McCarley on June 18, Elliot Madore on July 2, and Jessica Rivera on July 11, each providing a glimpse into their musical journeys and inspirations.
The Festival promises a summer filled with musical grandeur and memorable performances, inviting audiences to experience both timeless classics and contemporary masterpieces.
The full season of Mainstage Productions and Studio Sessions is listed below:
Cincinnati Opera: 2024 Summer Festival
Mainstage Series
- June 13 & 15, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m.
MOZART: Don Giovanni
Music Hall, Springer Auditorium
Dame Jane Glover, conductor; Alison Moritz, stage director; W.A. Mozart, composer; Lorenzo Da Ponte, librettist. Cast: Elliot Madore (Don Giovanni), Jessica Faselt (Donna Anna), Jessica Rivera (Donna Elvira), Aaron Blake (Don Ottavio), Christian Pursell (Leporello), Erin Keesy (Zerlina), Joseph Parrish (Masetto), Patrick Guetti (Commendatore). Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus. Creative: Philip Witcomb, scenic and costume designer; Thomas C. Hase, lighting designer; Henri Venanzi, chorusmaster; Yoshihisa Arai, choreographer. - June 27 & 28, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m.
June 30, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m.
VERDI: La traviata
Music Hall, Springer Auditorium
Lorenzo Passerini, conductor; Trevore Ross, stage director; Giuseppe Verdi, composer; Francesco Maria Piave, librettist. Cast: Gilda Fiume (Violetta Valéry), Santiago Ballerini (Alfredo Germont), Anthony Clark Evans (Giorgio Germont), Taylor-Alexis Dupont (Flora Bervoix), Demetrious Sampson, Jr. (Gastone de Letorières), Mike Young (Baron Douphol), Thomas Dreeze (Marchese d’Obigny), Samuel Smith (Doctor Genvil), Tanya Harris (Annina), Ivan Griffin (Messenger). Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus. Creative: Desmond Heeley, scenic and costume designer; Thomas C. Hase, lighting designer; James Geier, wig and makeup designer; Henri Venanzi, chorus master; Yoshihisa Arai, Choreographer. - July 18, 20 & 25, 2024 @ 7:30 p.m.
July 21 & 27, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m.
McCARTNEY & DAVIS: Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio
Music Hall, Springer Auditorium
Joseph Young, conductor; Caroline Clegg, stage director; Paul McCartney & Carl Davis, composers & librtettists. Cast: Andrew Owens(Shanty), Jacqueline Echols McCarley (Mary Dee), Kayleigh Decker (Miss Inkley/Chief Mourner/Nurse), Kevin Short (Headmaster/Preacher/Mr. Dingle). Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Boychoir, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus. Cereative: Leslie Travers, set & costume designer; Thomas C. Hase, lighting designer; Michael Pappalardo, choreographer; Henri Venanzi, chorus master.
Studio Sessions
- June 18, 2024 @ 8:00 p.m.
Jacqueline Echols McCarley
Music Hall, Wilks Studio
Jacqueline Echols McCarley, soprano; Damien Sneed, piano - July 2, 2024 @ 8:00 p.m.
Elliot Madore
Music Hall, Wilks Studio
Elliot Madore, baritone; Kevin Miller, piano. - July 11, 2024 @ 8:00 p.m.
Jessica Rivera
Music Hall, Wilks Studio
Jessica Rivera, soprano; Mark Carver, piano; Eleanor Weingartner, clarinet; Thonas George Caracas Garcia, guitar
Season tickets and single tickets are currently on sale. For more information, contact the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Cincinnati Opera: cincinnatiopera.org
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