BWW Opera News: North Carolina Opera Announces 2016/17 Season - Wagner's DAS RHEINGOLD, HERCULES VS. VAMPIRES and More!

On Tuesday evening, April 12 North Carolina Opera revealed its upcoming new season at CAM Raleigh (Contemporary Art Museum). Over 300 fans and friends of the organization excitedly gathered for the unveiling of the new season's productions and casting as presented by NCO Artistic & Music Director Timothy Myers, along with live performances of excerpts from the operas.

"We are thrilled to announce this ambitious season that continues to broaden and deepen the scope of what North Carolina Opera does for our local communities, state and region. The 2016/2017 season represents our continued commitment to providing our audience with unique and iconic performances, events that galvanize our community and art form through shared, irreplaceable experiences," said Timothy Myers.

The 2016/17 season will begin with Wagner's DAS RHEINGOLD on September 16 & 18, 2016 at Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh. With its opening, mysterious chords depicting the creation of the world, the terrifying anvil-accompanied descent into the underworld, and its culmination in the triumphant Entry of the Gods into Valhalla, Das Rheingold is the first installment of Richard Wagner's epic Ring Cycle. NCO Artistic & Music Director Timothy Myers conducts the 80-player NCO Orchestra and cast in the company's first presentation of a complete Wagner opera in this semi-staged production. This stellar cast includes Alfred Walker as Wotan, Michaela Martens as Fricka, Todd Thomas as Alberich, Richard Cox as Loge, Hailey Clark as Freia, Rachel Copeland as Woglinde, Richard Wiegold as Fasolt, Adam Lau as Donner, Soloman Howard as Fafner, Victoria Livengood as Erda, Kate Farrar as Wellgunde and Wade Henderson as Froh. Directed by James Marvel.

In October, NCO presents Patrick Morganelli's HERCULES VS. VAMPIRES with two performances on both October 30 & 31, 2016 in Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall.What happens when a cutting edge Hollywood composer meets a classic sword and sandals flick from the 60s? Hercules vs. Vampires combines a performance of singers, orchestra, and Patrick Morganelli's new operatic score performed live in synch with a screening of Mario Bava's 1961 film Hercules and the Haunted World. When the actors projected on the screen open their mouths to speak, the audience will hear their lines sung by a cast of 9 singers, accompanied by the NCO Orchestra. Music, muscles, myth - this show has everything, including a special Halloween night performance!

Coming to the intimate Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh is Mozart's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGAROon February 25 & 26 and March 2, 3 & 5, 2017. Can Susanna marry Figaro before the Count gets his hands on her? Will the Countess find a way to bring her straying husband back to her? Where will the love-struck Cherubino's fancy settle? Mozart's opera is one of the most beautiful and perfect ever composed. This new co-production with Opera Saratoga is conducted by NCO Artistic & Music Director Timothy Myers and features a cast of NCO favorites including D'Ana Lombard as Countess Almaviva, Jennifer Cherest as Susanna, Tyler Simpson as Figaro and Steven LaBrie as Count Almaviva.

To close out the season, NCO presents Bizet's THE PEARL FISHERS on April 28 & 30, 2017 at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh. In exotic Ceylon, two handsome pearl divers compete for the love of the same mysterious woman, but she has eyes for only one of them. The Pearl Fishers, from the composer of Carmen, features an evening's full of great melodies, including one of opera's most popular duets. NCO Artistic & Music Director Timothy Myers conducts a rising cast of stars (including Talise Trevigne as Leila, Jarrett Ott as Zurga and Musa Ngqungwana as Nourabad) and the outstanding NCO Chorus. Directed by Candace Evans.

North Carolina Opera is also presenting TWO special events this year outside of the regular subscription series.

MICHAEL FABIANO IN RECITAL on March 28, 2017 at Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh. NCO is proud to present this tenor star in recital. Fabiano has won accolades in starring roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, Royal Opera Covent Garden, and other leading houses around the world. "He hits the stage looking and sounding like something out of the Golden Age" raves The Washington Post. Now, hear this tenor superstar in an intimate environment and discover why San Francisco Classical Voice calls Michael Fabiano "the tenor that we have all been waiting for." One performance only!

ON A TURQUOISE CLOUD -The singer Candice Hoyes and her ensemble perform rare songs spanning Duke Ellington's career with new arrangements and performances by several of this generation's jazz luminaries. To be presented in winter 2017 - date/time and location TBD. More information on this program can be found at: http://onaturquoisecloud.com/

North Carolina Opera General Director Eric Mitchko adds "2016-2017 is our most impressive yet, with a wide range of repertoire, lots of performances, and of course wonderful artists. We are continuing our tradition of introducing Wagner's works here, and also branching out into areas, with star tenor Michael Fabiano in recital, and Candice Hoyes in our first crossover presentation."

SUBSCRIPTIONS & TICKETS

Subscription tickets for North Carolina Opera's 2016/17 season are on sale now. Subscription packages start as low as $125 and include the four productions: Das Rheingold, Hercules vs. Vampires, The Marriage of Figaro and The Pearl Fishers. The special event Michael Fabiano in Recital can be included in all subscription transactions as an add on event option. On a Turquoise Cloud ticketing will be available at a later date. Non-subscription individual tickets go on sale on July 1, 2016. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 919.792.3853 or visit www.ncopera.org.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA OPERA

North Carolina Opera was formed in 2010 from the merger of The Opera Company of North Carolina and Capital Opera Raleigh. It is dedicated to presenting operatic performances at the highest level throughout the Triangle. We also have a robust education program that brings opera to schools across Wake County and surrounding counties. North Carolina Opera brings international level artists to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, and also engages the best in local Triangle talent. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorthCarolinaOpera or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ncoperafor up to date information on events in the community, news and more.

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