Utah Opera 2009-10 Season Brochure

Embracethe Romance

2009~10 SeasonChristopher McBeth,

Artistic Director

Stir your senses with

Experience the tragedy, romance, passion, and delight of some of the finest works opera has to offer. Talented artists from all over the world will bring to life the alluring and powerful leading ladies of Verdi, Bizet, Rossini, and Puccini and the men they beguile. Let your heart sing and your spirits soar as we celebrate Opera.

Table of Contents

2 Macbeth

5 Carmen

6 The Italian Girl in Algiers

9 Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Season Schedule

12 Subscriber Benefits

16 Subscription Reservation

Utah Opera’s 2009-10 SeasonDear Friends,

Opera has something to offer us all. For some it’s the visceral sound

of the orchestra and human voice bringing to life the written music.

For others it may be the often intense drama of stories with characters

trapped in a tragedy or connected in a delightful comedy. For yet others

it is the pageantry of beautiful sets, costumes, and lighting that evokes

another place in time. For me, and on some level for everyone, it is how

all these elements come together, serve each other and, in a brilliant form

of artistic alchemy create something greater than the sum of all the parts,

which elicits an emotional reaction we wouldn’t otherwise expect.

Whichever it is for you, I invite you to join us for a season of opera by

the great master composers of the art form. If any of the operas in our

2009-10 season are new to you or you want to come to the performance

with a more in-depth understanding of an old favorite, join Dr. Carol

Anderson one hour prior to the performance, in the theatre, for a

splendid introduction to that evening’s production. If you have

questions or comments about the performance, join me and several

other passionate opera lovers in a Q & A session

directly following the performance.

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Christopher McBeth, Artistic Director

D

Brenda Harris Lady Macbeth

Louis Otey Macbeth

Macbeth is one of Giuseppe Verdi’s most honest, exhilarating, and fierce operas. Of Shakespeare, Verdi wrote, “I have had him in my hands from my earliest youth, and I read and reread him continually.” Witness in Macbeth one of Shakespeare’s strongest women, Lady Macbeth, pursuing her path of ambition and manipulation. Verdi’s haunting music will keep you riveted as the story of the ferocious couple “trusting in the prophesies of hell” unfolds.

October 17, 19, 21, 23 | 7:30 PMOctober 25 | 2 PMCapitol Theatre

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Macbethby Giuseppe Verdi

Utah Opera Macbeth, 1994

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Klauspeter Seibel Conductor

Stephanie Sundine Director

Chad Shelton Don José

Christopher Feigum Escamillo

Carmen by Georges Bizet

Ari Pelto Conductor

Garnett Bruce Director

Never before has love been so dangerously obsessive. In Utah Opera’s explosive interpretation of the classic opera Carmen, the lines between passionate illusion and real life become intricately tangled with rejection, jealousy, mutiny, and demise. Your senses will be awakened like never before, and never again will you experience Georges Bizet’s unforgettable gypsy in quite the same way.

January 16, 18, 20, 22 | 7:30 PMJanuary 24 | 2 PMCapitol Theatre

Sung in French with English supertitles

Utah Opera Carmen, 2001


Leah Wool Isabella

Rod Nelman Mustafà

Daniel Belcher Taddeo

Leonardo Vordoni Conductor

Patricia Weinmann Director

If you enjoyed Utah Opera’s recent productions of The Barber of Seville and Cinderella, Gioacchino Rossini’s hilarious The Italian Girl in Algiers will delight you with a comic stumble of a shipwreck, missing lovers, jealous wives, and meddling servants. Rossini’s energetic melodies and comical characters will have you laughing from curtain up to curtain down.

March 13, 15, 17, 19 | 7:30 PMMarch 21 | 2 PMCapitol Theatre


the Italian Girl in Algiers by Gioacchino Rossini


Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchiby Giacomo Puccini

Susanne Sheston Conductor

Jennifer Welch-Babidge Angelica

Kathleen Belcher Director

Michael Wanko Gianni Schicchi

Every once in a while a trip to the opera offers “two for the price of one” — an operatic double bill. With this performance, we offer the second and third of Giacomo Puccini’s trio of one-act operas known as Il trittico.

Suor Angelica takes you through a heart-wrenching tale of piety, passion, and penance. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you experience the love only a mother can possess. Puccini brings us, once again, his soaring melodies and gripping vocal lines in a score that will rival your favorite works.

Gianni Schicchi is a satirical farce and one of the funniest operas you’ll ever experience, packed with comedic elements such as money-grubbing relatives, fake deaths, and a frantic family. Highlighting the score is one of the best-known and most beloved arias, “O mio babbino caro.”

May 15, 17, 19, 21 | 7:30 PMMay 23 | 2 PMCapitol Theatre


Utah Opera Gianni Schicchi, 1988


When you subscribe to Utah Opera, you not only save on your subscription tickets, but you also save 20% on additional tickets to most of these performances. Plus, as a subscriber there are no fees for exchanging your tickets. Call 801-533-NOTE (6683) for tickets. (Special events excluded, restrictions may apply.)

The 2009-10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Season

Date Performance SeriesSep 11 & 12 An Evening of Beethoven masterworks a

Sep 18 & 19 Cirque de la Symphonie entertainment

Sep 25 & 26 Romeo & Juliet masterworks b

Sep 29 Salute to Youth family

Oct 9 & 10 Brahms Symphony No. 2 masterworks c

Oct 17 - 25 Macbeth utah opera

Oct 27 Halloween High-Jinks family

Oct 30 & 31 Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” masterworks b

Nov 6 & 7 Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 masterworks a

Nov 13 & 14 Bravo Broadway! entertainment

Nov 17 Play! A Video Games Symphony special

Nov 28 & 29 messiah Sing-in special

Dec 4 & 5 Haydn’s CReation masterworks a

Dec 18 & 19 Holiday Pops with Jerry! entertainment

Dec 19 Here Comes Santa Claus lollipops

Jan 8 & 9 Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 masterworks c

Jan 16 - 24 Carmen utah opera

Jan 29 & 30 Shostakovich’s Tenth masterworks b

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Programs and artists are subject to change.

Date Performance SeriesFeb 5 & 6 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy entertainment

Feb 12 & 13 DvorÁk’s “New World” Symphony masterworks c

Feb 19 & 20 Keith Lockhart & Julie Albers masterworks a

Feb 26 & 27 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist masterworks b

Mar 5 & 6 Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 masterworks c

Mar 13 – 21 The Italian Girl in Algiers utah opera

Mar 20 Mini Magic Flute lollipops

Mar 26 & 27 Elgar Symphony No. 2 masterworks a

Apr 9 & 10 Verdi’s Requiem masterworks b

Apr 16 & 17 PiCtuRes at an exhibition masterworks a

Apr 23 & 24 sCheheRazade masterworks c

Apr 27 Cho’s Anatomy: Sibelius’ Fifth family

Apr 30 & May 1 The Temptations entertainment

May 7 & 8 Saint-SaËns Piano Concerto masterworks b

May 15 – 23 Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi utah opera

May 25 All-Star Evening family

May 28 & 29 Mahler’s “Titan” masterworks c

Priority Seating Your seats are always there — even for sold-out performances. When you subscribe, you’ll have access to the best seats available because you get first choice at claiming, renewing, and upgrading your seats months before sales open to the general public.

Free Exchanges Last-minute schedule conflicts? There’s no need to worry. Your season tickets are as flexible as your schedule is complicated. Subscribers can exchange their tickets for any other 2009-10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performance with no fees. Simply call 801-533-6683. Exchanges are subject to availability; please give 24-hours’ notice.

Personalized ServiceWhether your question is about Puccini or parking, we’re here to help. As a subscriber, you have a direct line to Subscriber Services at 801-533-6683 for individual attention to ticketing needs and questions. We have the right people in place to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Subscriber Advantages Card Use your Subscriber Advantages Card to claim special discounts at the area’s best restaurants, theatres, spas, book/music stores, museums, and more! Visit utahopera.org/advantages for a complete list of subscriber savings.

Exclusive Parties Our subscribers receive invitations to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera social events, educational presentations, and special performances held throughout the year. Don’t miss our annual Sneak Peek held exclusively for subscribers including fun, food, and previews of the upcoming season.

Great Savings With your season tickets you save 20% off the price of single tickets. Plus, you pay no additional phone or counter fees.

Single Ticket DiscountsSubscribers can purchase discounted single tickets to the Utah Opera or Utah Symphony for friends and family. To take advantage of your 20% subscriber discount, call the ticket office at 801-533-6683 starting Subscriber Week (July 27 – 31, 2009). Some exclusions may apply.

Tax DeductionCan’t make it to a performance? Don’t let your seat go empty. If you turn back your ticket, we will send you a receipt for the full amount to use as a tax deduction. Contact Subscriber Services at 801-533-6683 for more information.

How to SubscribeTo purchase season tickets to the 2009-10 season of Utah Opera and join our family of subscribers, return the order form included with this season brochure to the Abravanel Hall Ticket Office or call 801-533-6683.

Subscribe today and save 20%Subscribing has benefits


Keeping the Music AliveEach gift makes a difference, and you can help! Join the ranks of Utah Opera supporters today. For more information about making a tax-deductible donation call 801-869-9015 or visit utahopera.org to donate online.

“If music be the food of love, play on.” twelfth night Act I, scene i

Each season we present a festival that bridges all forms of artistic expression, providing an opportunity to explore how art defines the human experience.

This season our theme, Shakespeare in Music, is centered on Utah Opera’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth in October. We’re collaborating with local museums, art galleries, libraries, film centers, performing arts groups, and scholars to explore the rich works and world of Shakespeare. This is one festival you won’t want to miss. Visit utahopera.org/festival for details.

We Speak your Language No need to understand a foreign language to enjoy opera. All of our performances include English text projected above the stage.

Opera Preview Lecture Join us for an enlightening Opera Preview Lecture at The City Library on the Wednesday before each opening night at 7 PM.

Opera PreludeHalf-hour introductory lectures by Dr. Carol Anderson, Principal Coach, take place in the orchestra level of Capitol Theatre one hour before curtain of each Utah Opera performance.

Also check online for further articles, study guides, and online courses. Click the LEARN MORE button on our Website, utahopera.org, for more details.

Post-performance Q&A with Christopher McBeth Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth answers your questions about the opera following each performance in the Founders Room on the Mezzanine level of Capitol Theatre.

Easy Listening Audiolink hearing devices, large-print supertitles and synopses, and Braille translation and synopses are available for all performances.

Parking Don’t let parking concerns keep you from coming downtown. There is ample parking available for all performances — even on the busiest weekends. Visit utahopera.org/parking to see over a dozen downtown parking options.

Group & Student DiscountsGroup and student discounts are available for most performances. Call 801-533-6683 for details.

Tickets are only the beginning

Vivace SeasonVivace is a funkified group of single/partnered/married persons, who just happen to get their groove on at classical concerts and opera. Vivace subscriptions are $150 and include a ticket to each Vivace performance and the after party. Call 801-533-6683 to order.

Oct 17 MacbethJan 30 Shostakovich’s TenthFeb 27 Van Cliburn Gold MedalistApr 24 sCheheRazade

May 15 Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

2009-10 Vivace Season


Ordering your season tickets is easy! Simply complete this form and mail to the address below, call 801-533-6683, or visit us in person at the Abravanel Hall Ticket Office.

Please choose one day of the week on which you would like to attend all four performances and the section where you would like to sit. Remember, your tickets are flexible and you can exchange them for any 2009-10 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performance with no fees.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera abravanel hall ticket office: 123 west south temple, salt lake city, ut 84101phone: 801-533-6683 fax: 801-869-9048 toll-free: 800-864-9298hours m-f 10 am - 6 pm, sat 10 am - 2 pm

utahopera.org/subscriptions

2009-10 Subscription Reservation FormNow is the time to reserve your seats

Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday performances start at 7:30 PM | Sunday matinees begin at 2 PM

All performances are in the Capitol Theatre: 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah

STAGE STAGE

Capitol Theatre (orchestra level)

Capitol Theatre (mezzanine & balcony levels)

❑Yes! I want to subscribe to Utah Opera and save 20% off single ticket prices. Please reserve my seats for the upcoming season.

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address

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Payment Options (choose one): ❑ checkcredit card: ❑ visa ❑ mastercard ❑ american express ❑ discover

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Day of Seating # of Price per Subtotal the week Area tickets ticket

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Ticket revenue only covers 25% of our operating budget. Please consider a contribution to Utah Opera.

Optional Contribution

Grand Total (1st choice)

1st Choice $ $

2nd Choice $ $

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❑ Check here if you require wheelchair seating.

* Reserved for Glade Peterson Society membersWith a $2,000 tax-deductible donation you can become a member of the Glade Peterson Society. With your membership, you will be eligible to purchase two seats in the Grand Tier of the Capitol Theatre. A $3,000 donation provides membership in both the Peterson Society and Utah Symphony’s Maurice Abravanel Society. With your membership, you will also receive free parking, admission to all intermission receptions, and invitations to special events. Please call 801-869-9015 for details.

All subscriptions include a $4 Salt Lake County Building Preservation Fee to support the Center for the Arts facilities.


Seating Area Fri|Sat|Sun Mon|WedFront Orchestra A-G $234 $209Front Orchestra H-N $202 $180Middle Orchestra $174 $158Front Orchestra Sides A-L $158 $138Middle Orchestra Sides M-V $142 $119Main Floor Rear $100 $68 $78 $57Grand Tier* $270* $270*Box Seats $234 $209Front Mezzanine $234 $209Middle Mezzanine $174 $158 Side Mezzanine $142 $119Rear Mezzanine $100 $68 $78 $57Balcony $52 $42 $46 $35

SeniorsMust be 62 years or older

SeniorsMust be 62 years or older

Reserve your seats for Utah Opera’s 2009-10 season today and save 20% on your tickets.

Details inside.

abravanel hall ticket office: 123 west south temple, salt lake city, ut 84101

phone: 801-533-6683 fax: 801-869-9048

toll-free: 800-864-9298

utahopera.org/subscriptions

utahopera.org | 801-533-note

Documents

Utah Opera 2009-10 Season Brochure