Opera Atelier Presents PERSEE, 4/26-5/3

Opera Atelier's 2013-2014 season continues with Lully's Persée, the thrilling saga of the heroic Perseus as he battles the monstrous Medusa to rescue princess Andromeda from her terrible fate.

Persée is a landmark production for Opera Atelier. The company's 2000 production was the first fully staged incarnation of the opera since it inaugurated the Royal Opera House at Versailles in 1770 during the wedding celebrations of the future King Louis XVI to Marie Antoinette. Opera Atelier's 2004 remount of Persée was the subject of a documentary which has subsequently become an international calling card for Opera Atelier, both for the public and for presenters around the world. Jean-Baptiste Lully's Persée is a retelling of the classical Greek Perseus myth.

Following the astounding success of Armide in 2012, The Royal Opera House has invited Opera Atelier back to Versailles with Persée, which will mark the first time the opera has appeared on that stage since 1770. Persée will be performed three times at The Royal Opera House, Versailles on May 23, 24, and 25, 2014.

The role of Persée will be performed by Chris Enns making his Opera Atelier debut with his first haute-contre role. Mireille Asselin will take on the role of Andromède, and her rival Mérope will be played by Peggy Kriha Dye, who returns to Versailles following her star turn as Armide. They are joined by Olivier Laquerre (Céphée/Méduse), Carla Huhtanen(Cassiope), Vasil Garvanliev (Phinée), Lawrence Wiliford, Curtis Sullivan, Aaron Ferguson, Meghan Lindsay andStephen Hagedus.

Persée will be directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, with set design byGerard Gauci and lighting design by Bonnie Beecher. The production features the Artists of Atelier Ballet and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra under the baton of David Fallis. Persée is sung in French with English surtitles.

2013-2014 Season Presenting Sponsor: BMO Financial Group

2013-2014 Season Underwriter: Michael A. Wekerle of Difference Capital

Opera Atelier also gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.

Opera Atelier is Canada's premier period opera/ballet company, specializing in producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond "reconstruction" and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Since 1985, led by founding artistic directors Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.

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