CARMEN, MOBY DICK and More Set for Utah Opera's 2016-17 Season

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth today announced Utah Opera's 2016-17 season. The company's 39th season from October 2016 to May 2017 will feature four main stage productions and a chamber opera that encompass some of opera's greatest tales of the human condition and matters of the heart.

The upcoming season includes the return of three operas beloved the world over - Georges Bizet's "Carmen," Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Don Giovanni." American composer Jake Heggie's critically-acclaimed opera "Moby-Dick" makes its Utah debut in January 2017, featuring new costumes and sets designed and constructed at Utah Opera's state-of-the-art Production Studios in Salt Lake City. All four productions will be staged at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, and feature five performances each.

Additionally, a moving chamber opera written by American composer Jeremy Howard Beck, "The Long Walk," will be presented as part of the season. The opera highlights the plight of U.S. army veterans who return to face inner battles post-war and will be presented at a more intimate venue at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in its western United States premiere. It is based on Iraq War veteran Brian Castner's critically acclaimed novel of the same name.

"I have been looking forward to next season with more excitement than I can remember. Never have the words 'Operatic Voyage' been more appropriate than the 2016-17 Utah Opera season," said Artistic Director Christopher McBeth. "Each of the offerings next season include exciting casts and will be staged by some of today's brightest stage directors. It will be an epic journey of a season that you won't want to miss."

"Carmen" - The season opens in October 2016 with Bizet's "Carmen," which was last performed on the Utah Opera stage in January 2010 and is considered one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the world. It features recognizable, famous arias including "Habanera" and "Toreador".

Set in mid-19th century Seville, Spain, the tale revolves around the soldier Don José, sung by former Utah Opera Resident Artist, tenor Dominick Chenes, who has the love of a young peasant girl, Micaëla. But he throws away both love and career when he crosses paths with the beguiling gypsy Carmen, sung by Utah Opera newcomer mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata. The role of the victorious bullfighter Escamillo, who attempts to steal Carmen's heart, is sung by baritone Christian Bowers, who also makes his Utah Opera debut. Long-time Utah Opera conductor Robert Tweten returns after his most recent appearance at "Tosca" to lead the orchestra. Sets for the production will come from Atlanta Opera.

"Moby-Dick" - Utah Opera presents the award-winning opera "Moby-Dick" by American composer Jake Heggie for its inaugural run at Capitol Theatre in January 2017. The grand contemporary opera was co-commissioned and premiered by Dallas Opera and four other opera companies in April 2010 and is an adaptation of the classic novel by Melville set entirely on the ocean with spellbinding music and astounding visuals. It is widely considered one of the most successful operas debuted in the 21st century. Canadian tenor Roger Honeywell makes his Utah Opera debut as Captain Ahab, a role he sang in his LA Opera debut. Frequent Utah Opera guest artist baritone David Adam Moore - who last played Guglielmo in "Cosi fan tutte" - returns to the Capital Theatre stage as Starbuck.

Stage Director Kristine McIntyre returns after directing Utah Opera's production of "The Pearl Fishers" and "Of Mice and Men." Conductor Joseph Mechavich, last seen in the October 2008 production of "Madame Butterfly," will lead the musicians of the Utah Symphony. Utah Opera will present new costumes designed by Jessica Jahn and new sets designed by Erhard Rom, all constructed at the state-of-the-art Utah Opera Production Studios by local Utah artisans.

"Lucia di Lammermoor" - In March 2017, a perennial favorite, Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," returns to the Utah Opera stage for the fifth time after a decade-long absence. Soprano Nicole Haslett will make her title role and Utah Opera debut as Lucia in this Gothic production, and James Westman performs the role of her brother, Lord Enrico Ashton. The story revolves around a soldier Edgardo and his love, the noblewoman Lucia. Marriage follows. The only problem is it's between Lucia and someone else, against her will. It's more than enough to drive her deadly insane.

"The Long Walk" - On March 31 and April 1, 2017, Utah Opera presents the western United States premiere of American contemporary composer Jeremy Howard Beck's "The Long Walk," a deeply moving examination of one soldier's struggle to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder following his return from duty in Iraq. Performances will take place in the intimate setting of Jeanne Wagner Theatre at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. The world premiere of the opera took place in July 2015 at Opera Saratoga with GRAMMY-award winning baritone Daniel Belcher portraying Brian, a role he will reprise at Utah Opera. Based on Brian Castner's best-selling memoir of the same name, this opera offers a visceral look at the realities of modern warfare and the unseen battles that rage inside our hearts.

"Don Giovanni" - The 2016-17 season concludes in May 2017 with Mozart's beloved, "Don Giovanni," which was last on the Utah Opera stage in May 2008 and is still considered one of the most performed operas in the world. "Moby-Dick" Stage Director Kristine McIntyre returns to direct this tale of comedy, melodrama and supernatural elements as audiences witness the angst and unrest of the title character, performed by Joshua Hopkins, in this hypnotic tale of a man who resists change, damn the consequences. The production from Lyric Opera of Kansas City is a film noir version set in the 1920s.

Subscription renewals and purchases are available online at www.utahopera.org starting January 26, 2016. 2015-16 season subscribers have until March 31, 2016 to renew their subscriptions or request seat changes for the 2016-17 season before seats will be released to new subscribers and subscribers requesting seat changes. Subscriptions may also be renewed or purchased by calling (801) 533-6683 or by visiting the Abravanel Hall Ticket Office (123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah).

To request a 2016-17 Utah Opera season brochure, call Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Patron Services at (801) 533-6683, email info@usuo.org, or write to ATTN: USUO Patron Services, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. Single tickets for the 2016-17 Utah Opera season will be available starting June 28, 2016.

Utah Opera, established by Glade Peterson in 1978, has been part of the community for more than 35 years and engages Utah residents through inspiring operatic performances. The opera company presents four annual productions at the historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre. Utah Opera operates a full production studio where productions are rehearsed and costumes, props and set pieces are designed, made, rented out and stored. The opera currently has 17 full sets and costumes for 45 full productions in its inventory. Utah Opera also offers a Resident Artist Program, a nationally recognized young artist training program for professional singers and pianists who perform for more than 140,000 students each year through the organization's education and outreach activities. For more information, visit www.utahopera.org.

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