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Minnesota Opera Opens Premiere of MANON LESCAUT Tonight

By: Sep. 21, 2013
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Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its season opening, in which the irresistible lure of money seduces the beautiful Manon, triggering her downfall. But true love is her redemption in this soulful opera by the composer of La bohème, Madame Butterfly andTurandot. Manon Lescaut was Puccini's third opera and his first major success. Defending his work against another opera based on the 1731 novel by the Abbé Prévost, Puccini said, "Manon is a heroine I believe in, and therefore she cannot fail to win the hearts of the public. Why shouldn't there be two operas about Manon? A woman like Manon can have more than one lover." He added, "Massenet feels it as a Frenchman, with powder and minuets. I shall feel it as an Italian, with a desperate passion."

Soprano Kelly Kaduce (Madame Butterfly, Turandot) stars in the title role with tenor Dinyar Vania, who makes his Minnesota Opera debut as her star-crossed lover, Chevalier des Grieux. This Washington National Opera production, called "impassioned, sensual" by The Baltimore Sun, was designed by John Pascoe (debut). Michael Cavanagh (Tosca) directs and Minnesota Opera Music Director Michael Christie (Anna Bolena, Turandot) conducts.

What: Manon Lescaut by composer Giacomo Puccini
Sung in Italian with English surtitles projected above the stage

Where: Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102

When: Saturday, September 21, 8pm
Tuesday, September 24, 7:30pm
Thursday, September 26, 7:30pm
Saturday, September 28, 7:30pm
Sunday, September 29, 2pm

Tickets: $20 - $200. Call the Minnesota Opera Ticket Office at 612.333.6669,
Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm, or purchase online at mnopera.org.

Media: An online press kit (available now on Dropbox at mnop.co/mnoperapressroom) includes artist headshots, design renderings, production photos and other useful resources.

Contact Communications Manager Daniel Zillmann to take advantage of the following interview, photo and video opportunities at dress rehearsals at Ordway:Wednesday, September 18, 7:30pm and Thursday, September 19, 7:30pm.

Preview: Minnesota Opera hosts its first Social Media Preview of the season for bloggers and social media savvy individuals. This season's previews will include a live tweeting opportunity for the next generation of performing arts lovers, whether brand new to opera or aficionados of the art form. Beginning with refreshments during a social hour and pre-rehearsal discussion at Ordway with special guest, Minnesota Opera Music Director Michael Christie, the event will conclude with exclusive access to the dress rehearsal on Thursday, September 19, 6pm. R.S.V.P. to dzillmann@mnopera.org by September 17.

THE CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor - Michael Christie
Stage Director - Michael Cavanagh
Set and Costume Designer - John Pascoe*
Lighting Designer - William Healey*

THE CAST
Manon Lescaut - Kelly Kaduce
Lescaut, her brother and Seargent of the Royal Guards - Matthew Opitz+
The Chevalier des Grieux - Dinyar Vania*
Geronte de Revoir, Treasurer General - Andrew Wilkowske
Edmondo, a student - John Robert Lindsey+
The Innkeeper, Sergeant of the Royal Archers - Christian Zaremba*+
A Singer - Victoria Vargas*
The Dancing Master - Robb Asklof*

*Minnesota Opera Debut
+Minnesota Opera Resident Artist

To learn more about Manon Lescaut ...
Please visit mnop.co/manonlescaut. There you will find casting updates, artist biographies, synopses, background notes, audio and video clips, ticketing services and other company information.

Behind the Curtain Manon Lescaut ...
Look behind the curtain on Monday, September 9 at 7pm at the Minnesota Opera Center in Minneapolis to see what it takes to bring innovative opera to the stage. Get the inside scoop from members of the cast and creative team and explore the music, history and design ofManon Lescaut. Minnesota Opera's new Head of Music Rob Ainsley will lead an exploration of the music, history and design of Manon Lescaut from his perspective as a chorus master and vocal coach. Get a taste for the music from the stars themselves as soprano Kelly Kaduce and tenor Dinyar Vania give an intimate performance of excerpts and discuss why they think singers and audiences alike share a passion for Puccini. General admission tickets are $35 and available for purchase at mnopera.org or by calling 612-333-6669.


The 2013-2014 Minnesota Opera season is sponsored by Ascent Private Capital Management of U. S. Bank.

Minnesota Opera combines a culture of creativity and fiscal responsibility
to produce opera and opera education programs that expand the art form, nurture artists,
enrich audiences and contribute to the vitality of the community.


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