Photo Flash: First Look at Minnesota Opera's ARABELLA

Minnesota Opera presents ARABELLA, by composer Richard Strauss, Sung in German with English translations projected above the stage at the Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, opening tomorrow, November 9, and running through November 12. Check out a first look below!

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

Arabella wants to marry for love, but her parents need her to marry for money. When the man of her dreams appears, will their manipulations ruin her chance to find true happiness? Richard Strauss' sumptuous romantic comedy is set in Vienna's golden age. The composer's sixth and final operatic collaboration with librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal is as relevant today as at its 1933 premiere in Dresden during the American Great Depression and an impending second World War.

Soprano Jacquelyn Wagner, heralded as "one of the great Fiordiligis of our time" by MinnPost at her Minnesota Opera debut in Così fan tutte, stars in the title role with bass-baritone Craig Irvin (Silent Night) as the mysterious Croatian landowner Mandryka, who ultimately sweeps Arabella off her feet. Soprano Elizabeth Futral (La traviata) is Zdenka, Arabella's sister, tenor Brian Jagde (Madame Butterfly) is the young officer Matteo and bass-baritone Dale Travis (The Barber of Seville) is Arabella's father, Count Waldner. The creative team that debuted this co-production in Santa Fe (2012) brings it to Minnesota: stage directorTim Albery (The Fortunes of King Croesus), scenic and costume designer Tobias Hoheisel(debut) and lighting designer David Finn (debut). Michael Christie conducts the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. For more information, visit mnop.co/arabella. There you will find casting updates, artist biographies, synopses, background notes, audio and video clips, ticketing services and other company information.

Photo Credit: © Michal Daniel

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