Florida Grand Opera Presents DON GIOVANNI and CYRANO in April and May

Devoted to stimulating its South Florida audience with a diverse repertoire, Florida Grand Opera (FGO) continues its current season with Don Giovanni, one of the world's most beloved operas, and the newly-commissioned Cyrano. The two productions will be performed throughout April and May, beginning with Don Giovanni on April 16, 2011.

Considered by many to be the most perfect opera ever written, Mozart's Don Giovanni continues
to thrill audiences today as it did at its premiere in 1787. This second collaboration of Mozart
and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte followed their success with The Marriage of Figaro a year
earlier. Mozart used the story of the world's most infamous lover, Don Juan, to create one of
opera's unforgettably vivid characters and one of the world's favorite operas.

Baritone David Pittsinger, previously seen here in a remarkable portrayal of Count Rodolfo in
FGO's 2007 La sonnambula and as Scarpia in the company's 2008 Tosca, will return to sing the
title role in Mozart's Don Giovanni. He has performed Don Giovanni for the Opera Company of
Philadelphia, New York City Opera, and Opera Colorado, and appears regularly at the
Metropolitan Opera and leading companies around the world. Mr. Pittsinger also received much
acclaim on Broadway for his role as Emilie in South Pacific this past winter. Bass-baritone Tom
Corbeil, a former member of FGO's Young Artist Studio and San Francisco Opera's Merola
Program, returns in the role of the Don's servant Leporello following his portrayal of Don
Basilio in last season's The Barber of Seville. Tenor Andrew Bidlack, a former member of
FGO's Young Artist Studio who sang Count Almaviva in FGO's February 24 and 27, 2010
performances of The Barber of Seville, returns as Don Ottavio.

Called "a luminous, appealing, and agile voice" by the New York Times, Donna Elvira will be
sung by soprano Georgia Jarman. Ms. Jarman is frequently seen at New York City Opera and
leading companies in the United States, Europe, and South America. American soprano
Jacquelyn Wagner will make her FGO debut as Donna Anna. Ms. Wagner is a recipient of a
Fulbright Study Grant and has been appearing with numerous opera companies in Europe; she

has appeared frequently with American orchestras, but this production will mark her official
American operatic debut.

Former all-American football player and Metropolitan Opera bass Morris Robinson, noted by
the Washington Post to be a "booming but well-articulated bass," returns to FGO as the
Commendatore. He last appeared at FGO as Ramfis in the 2006 production of Aida. Andrew
Bisantz, Florida Grand Opera's Resident Conductor, will lead these performances of Don
Giovanni following his highly acclaimed conducting of the 2009-10 season-opening double bill
of Pagliacci and Suor Angelica. Don Giovanni will be directed by John Pascoe, who originally
designed and directed the production for Washington National Opera.

Don Giovanni is made possible by a generous gift from Randy Gage. In Miami, Gibraltar Private
Bank sponsors the Opera Club for all performances and the opening night performance is
sponsored by Margaret and Mike Eidson. Carol Harrison sponsors the Ft. Lauderdale opening
night performance in loving memory of her late husband, Ben Harrison.

The season will conclude with David DiChiera's Cyrano with a French libretto by Bernard
Uzan, which premiered in 2007 in Detroit at Michigan Opera Theatre. Based on Edmond
Rostand's beloved play, Cyrano de Bergerac, the opera's romantic, melodic score perfectly
enhances this tragic story of star-crossed would-be lovers. It has been reviewed as "...visually
grand, dramatically absorbing and musically captivating" by Opera Canada and "a splendid
production" by New York Magazine.

"As we are co-producers of Cyrano, it was a thrill to see the standing ovation it received in
Detroit at its premiere and I'm very excited about presenting this new opera to South Florida,"
said FGO General Director and CEO Robert M. Heuer. "I am sure it will be received here with
equal enthusiasm."

Leah Partridge, one of South Florida's favorite sopranos, and Romanian baritone Marian Pop
fill the lead roles, which DiChiera specifically wrote for their voices. Ms. Partridge returns to
FGO as Roxane and Mr. Pop, seen as Dandini in FGO's 2009 La Cenerentola, will perform the
title role. French tenor Sébastien Guèze, whose international career was launched by his taking
second prize in Placido Domingo's 2006 Operalia competition, makes his FGO debut as
Christian, also introducing a new aria for the role to be performed for the first time ever in
Miami. American conductor Mark Flint, who orchestrated Cyrano and conducted the world
premiere at Michigan Opera Theatre, will lead the FGO performances and Mr. Uzan, Cyrano's
librettist, directs the production. Cyrano is made possible by a generous gift from the estate of
Muriel Rosen. Lynn Wolfson sponsors the opening night performance, the After Opera Party as
well as the Opera Club for all performances. American Express sponsors the second Saturday
performance and MDW Insurance sponsors the Student Dress Rehearsal.

Subscriptions for Florida Grand Opera's 2010-2011 season start as low as $32 and are available
at 1-800-741-1010 or safely online at www.fgo.org. Subscribers save up to 50% off single ticket
pricing. Subscribers who are also donors receive priority seating. Single tickets now on sale.

 

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