Opera in the Heights announces 2006-2007 season

Opera in the Heights' 2006-2007 season opens Thursday, September 21, 2006, and runs through March 31, 2007. The announcement was made by the company's new managing director, Roy Hughes.

The company's 11th season is marked by the celebration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's 250th birthday with two of his masterpieces: "Don Giovanni" and "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" ("Abduction from the Seraglio"). Opera lovers in the Greater Houston area will also take pleasure in the genius and beauty of: Verdi's "Rigoletto" and Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'amore" ("Elixir of Love"). This superb lineup of favorites is presented in the tradition of warmth, personal connection with the singers, and in the intimate setting of European-styled Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Boulevard in Houston.

All four operas, sung in the original language with English surtitles, will be performed under the direction of the company's artistic director, William Weibel.

"Opera in the Heights approaches its 11th season with high expectations. No fewer than 29 new singers will debut on the OH stage in four productions," said Weibel. "We also look forward to the debut of two new stage directors who will bring fresh ideas to these productions. The season promises to be full of wonderful singing, with the finest talent from all over the country coming to perform in each of the productions offered."

Reba Kochersperger, OH's former general director, will return as costumer for the season, and Sheri Shoemake will serve as lighting and make-up designer for all four productions.

Individual tickets are $41 and $31, and season subscriptions range from $93 to $144. A reduced rate for anyone under 12 or over 65 ($26 individual or $93 season) is available for any Thursday or Friday performance. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased at www.operaintheheights.org or by contacting Opera in the Heights' office, 1703 Heights Blvd., Houston, Texas, 713-861-5303.

THE OPERAS
RIGOLETTO, Verdi
September 21-23 and 28-30, 2006, 8:00 p.m.

One of Verdi's biggest successes from the beginning, Rigoletto received over 300 performances the first 10 years of its life. The tragic jester, the libertine antihero, the guileless heroine and the evil assassin are among the most vivid creations in all of opera. An all-star roster of young artists will bring to life all the famous moments known so well. It is music of exquisite tenderness, lyricism and unflaggingly brilliant genius.

Cast:
Rigoletto Hak Joon Kim and Brian Carter
Duke Joseph Muir and Michael Wade Lee
Gilda Corinne Brier and Dalma Boronkai
Maddalena To be announced

Stage director: Lynda Keith McKnight
Set designer: Nick Bakaysa


DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL, Mozart
(Abduction from the Seraglio)
November 9-11 and 16-18, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

OH has waited five years to put the right cast together for this irresistible 18th century "singspiel." The most popular of Mozart's operas during his lifetime, we salute the 250th anniversary of the master's birth with this work demonstrating his mastery of German music theatre. New English dialogue by Maestro Weibel moves the action, and the original German music maintains the ingenious manifestations of the then current predilection for "Turkish" themes. The exquisite and typically Mozartean melodies will send the audience home lighthearted.

Cast:
Belmonte Brad Ludwin and John Day
Pedrillo Erik Sparks and Jeremy Gerard
Constanze Dana Zenobi and Anne Dreyer
Blondchen Kember Lattimer and Nicole Sikora
Osmin Erik Kroncke

Stage director: Roger Keele
Set designer: Christopher Akerlind

ELISIR D'AMORE, Donizetti
(Elixir of Love)
January 25-27 and February 1-3, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

Perhaps the most popular of Donizetti's operas, "Elisir d'amore" is certainly the most popular with tenors. Caruso, Gigli, Schipa, Tagliavini, DiStefano, Bergonzi and Pavarotti lead the list. The tunes tumble over one another as the evening gets better and better. The smooth-talking Dulcamara sells his elixir with champagne bubbles on his tongue. The heartfelt pathos of "Una furtiva lagrima" and the effervescent duets make every moment unique. Who couldn't love the despondently forlorn Nemorino who wins in the end to glorious music!

Cast:
Nemorino Cameron Smith and Joseph Muir
Adina Jacqueline Thompson and Anne Dreyer
Belcore Kreshnik Zhabjaku and Marcos Antonio Solá
Dulcamara Sam Handley and Kevin Misslich
Gianetta Lauren Zoghby

Stage director: Isadora Bucciarelli
Set designer: Phil Bergeron and Tim Patrick

DON GIOVANNI, Mozart
March 22-24 and 29-31, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

One Mozart opera is not enough to celebrate his birth. Why not celebrate with two and present what is considered by many the greatest of all operas? OH prepared two years for this series of performances, putting together two splendid casts. Every conceivable emotion is packed into this work whose action spans a time frame of 24 hours. Its eight personalities require five-star performers for its galaxy of musical passions. This promises to be Opera in the Heights at its best. What a season!

Cast:
Don Giovanni Jeremy Galyon and Andrew Nolen
Leporello Sam Handley and Jorge Ocasio
Anna Victoria Tralongo and Dianne Barton
Elvira Dana Zenobi and Vanessa Salaz
Ottavio Scott Williamson and David Perper
Zerlina Soon Cho and Olga Perez
Commendatore Scott Tomlinson
Masetto Corey Trahan

Stage director: Leslie Swackhamer
Set designer: Tim Patrick and Phil Bergeron


PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

RIGOLETTO:
Thursday, September 21, 2006, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, September 22, 2006, 8:00 p.m.
*Saturday, September 23, 2006, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, September 23, 2006, 8:00 p.m.
*Monday, September 25, 2006, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 28, 2006, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, September 29, 2006, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 30, 2006, 8:00 p.m.

DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL
(ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO):
Thursday, November 9, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 10, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 11, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
*Monday, November 13, 2006, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 16, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 17, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 18, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

L'ELISIR D'AMORE (ELIXIR OF LOVE):
Thursday, January 25, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 26, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 27, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
*Monday, January 29, 2007, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 2, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 3, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

DON GIOVANNI:
Thursday, March 22, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 30, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 31, 7:30 p.m.
*Monday, April 2, 2007, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

*Special one-hour performances.

FOUNDER'S CIRCLE
For individuals contributing $500 and above, priority seating and reserved parking are available, in addition to other exciting benefits. Call OH's office for more information. 713-861-5303.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
The Special one-hour Performances, offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the Monday following opening weekend, consist of lively narration and well-known arias, duets, and ensemble pieces, all accompanied by piano. The program concludes with a question and answer session between the cast and audience. These programs are designed for groups of students or senior citizens in a venue that can provide the intimacy Opera in the Heights' audiences love. For Rigoletto, there will be an additional "family date" performance at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23. Tickets are $5.00. Reservations are required. 713-861-5303.

LECTURE SERIES
On the evening before Opera in the Heights opening nights, Houston's preeminent opera lecturer Ann Thompson presents a delightful, informative, multimedia talk about the upcoming opera. The lectures are held at the Thompson home at 7:30 p.m. These events are a real bargain at only $5.00! Call OH's office at 713-861-5303 for reservations and directions.

Lecture Schedule:
Rigoletto: Wednesday, September 20, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (Abduction from the Seraglio): Wednesday, November 8, 2006, 7:30 p.m.
L'Elisir d'amore (Elixir of Love): Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Don Giovanni: Wednesday, March 21, 2007, 7:30 p.m.



OPERA IN THE HEIGHTS is a nonprofit, professional, regional opera company serving the Greater Houston area with high quality opera and concert performances in an intimate setting, at an affordable price. Each season, the company presents four fully staged and costumed productions of traditional operas, performed in the original language with English surtitles and accompanied by orchestra. It operates under the guidance of a Board of Directors, Artistic Director William Weibel and Managing Director Roy Hughes. Opera in the Heights is funded in part by grants from Texas Commission on the Arts and from the City of Houston through the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County.

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