Minnesota Opera Presents THE DREAM OF VALENTINO, Now thru 3/9
By: BWW News Desk Mar. 01, 2014
Minnesota Opera presents a major new revival of Dominick Argento's The Dream of Valentino as the sixth production of the New Works Initiative. A sultry young dancer is transformed from an unknown immigrant into a silent film sensation. Rudolph Valentino's stardom blazes across the silver screen but is quickly consumed by the same forces that ignited it. Seduction and scandal swirl in this tango-tinged opera about an artist discovered and destroyed by Hollywood. Composed by Argento with a libretto by Charles Nolte as a joint commission between Washington and Dallas opera companies, the work received its world premiere in 1994 at The Kennedy Center, where it was described by the Chicago Tribune as "visually and theatrically ... a thumping success."
"I have known Dominick since my first season when Minnesota Opera premiered Casanova's Homecoming in 1985 and have always admired the freshness and vibrancy of his works," said Artistic Director Dale Johnson. "The Dream of Valentino is the only major Argento opera that we have not staged, and I thought it imperative, as we began the New Works Initiative, that we invest in producing his entire canon. After I approached Dominick to discuss this revival, he spent the summer making major changes to literally give Valentino a new beginning. By reworking the dramaturgy and focusing more on Valentino the artist, Dominick feels that the work will better embody how Hollywood uses its stars and tosses them away when they are no longer convenient." Internationally acclaimed tenor James Valenti (Werther) reimagines the role of the 1920s film icon and sex symbol, Rudolph Valentino. As the catalyst of his meteoric rise to fame, sopranoBrenda Harris (Macbeth) sings the role of June Mathis, a screenwriter. Mezzo-soprano Eve Gigliotti (debut) is celebrated movie star Alla Nazimova, Alan Held (The Aspern Papers) is The Mogul and former Minnesota Opera Resident Artist soprano Angela Mortellaro (Madame Butterfly) is Jean Acker. Tony Award nominee and Academy Award winner, Eric Simonson(The Grapes of Wrath, Silent Night), directs this new production by Erhard Rom (sets), Kärin Kopischke (costumes), Robert Wierzel (lighting) and Peter Nigrini (projections). MaestroChristoph Campestrini (Werther) conducts this Minnesota Opera New Works Initiative production.Please visit mnop.co/valentino There you will find casting updates, artist biographies, synopses, background notes, audio and video clips, ticketing services and other company information. 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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