Washington Concert Opera to Present Beethoven's LEONORE This Spring

After an all-star 30th season including an Anniversary Concert starring Angela Meade and Vivica Genaux and Massenet's Hérodiade starring Michael Fabiano and Joyce El-Khoury, Washington Concert Opera presents Beethoven's Leonore on March 5th, 2017 for its 30th season culmination. The performance will start at 6pm and will take place at Lisner Auditorium on the campus of George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Inspired by Napoleonic ideas and fervent nationalism, Leonore is best known as the first version of Beethoven's more famous opera, Fidelio. On March 5, 2017 this timeless tale of love conquering all will star American soprano Marjorie Owens (praised in the Washington Post for her "golden voice") in the title role, returning to the WCO stage for the first time since playing Freihild in Strauss' Guntram in 2015. The opera also features multi-Grammy nominated heldentenor, Simon O'Neill as Florestan, internationally renowned bass Eric Halfvarson as Rocco, and acclaimed coloratura soprano Celena Shafer as Marzelline.

Tickets can be purchased at www.concertopera.org or by calling 202 364-5826. Prices range from $15 student tickets to $200 for season subscriptions.

Washington Concert Opera is a professional concert opera company offering internationally acclaimed singers, professional orchestra and chorus in concert versions of rarely heard, full-length operatic works. Founded in 1986, WCO has presented more than 40 operas, featuring world-class singers who regularly appear on the most renowned opera house stages. WCO strives to provide audiences with a unique musical experience and has repeatedly and consistently been acclaimed in the local, national, and international press as one of the finest in the field.