New Orleans Opera Association Presents PORGY AND BESS et al. in 2010-2011

New Orleans Opera General and Artistic Director, Robert Lyall says of the company's 2010-2011 season. "We are offering a season that includes something for long-time opera lovers and newcomers alike." "Each of the different musical and theatrical styles of these works, which range from the immensely popular musical treasures of an important historical landmark like PORGY AND BESS to the exquisite and exotic musical delights of Bizet's less-frequently performed PEARL FISHERS, has a special appeal. These musical treasures, surrounded by masterpieces from the pens of Verdi and Mozart, offer a truly sumptuous operatic menu."

The Gershwins® PORGY AND BESS?
by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin
8:00 PM October 15, 2010
2:30 PM October 17, 2010
Sponsored by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Arts Fund
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The Story:
PORGY AND BESS celebrates a musical milestone this year: 2010 marks the 75th anniversary of its debut in 1935 at the Colonial Theater in Boston. It is based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and the play of the same name which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Not unlike New Orleanians of today, the citizens of Catfish Row battle adversity but triumph through their faith, their sense of community and their love of life.

The Artists:
Porgy, Alvy Powell; Bess Lisa Daltirus; Crown, Cedric Cannon; Sportin' Life, Chauncey Packer; Director - Tazewell Thompson; Conductor - Robert Lyall with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Master Carol Rausch with the New Orleans Opera Chorus.

Quick Facts:
Original Language - English, Creators - George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin, Description - Opera in 3 Acts, Place - Catfish Row, Charleston, South Carolina, Premiere Date - October 10, 1935, Premiere Location - Colonial Theater, Boston,
Notes - PORGY AND BESS stands as one of the most vital and completely successful of American operas. Its magnificent score has long prompted the tragic question, "What if?" as George Gershwin died only 3 years later at the age of 38.

Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE (DIE ZAUBERFLOTE)
8:00 PM November 19, 2010
2:30 PM November 21, 2010
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The Story:
One of Mozart's last works, and certainly one of his greatest, this is a wondrous fairy tale for all ages. Its exploration of man's strength and frailty is profound but charming, and serious yet often comic. Eventually the powers of Truth and Light conquer the forces of Superstition and Darkness and everyone "lives happily ever after." This production features the multi-talented flutist and watercolor artist Patti Adams. Her colorful interpretations will serve as scenic backdrops.

The Artists:
Tamino, Sean Panikkar; Papageno, Matthew Worth; Pamina, Sarah Jane McMahon; The Queen of the Night, Emily Hindrichs; Sarastro, Raymond Aceto; Director - Jay Jackson; Conductor - Robert Lyall with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Master Carol Rausch with the New Orleans Opera Chorus.

Quick Facts:
Original Language - German, Composer - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Librettist - Emanuel Schikaneder, Description - Opera in 2 Acts, Time - An unknown time, Place - An unknown location, Premiere Date - September 30, 1791, Premiere Location - Freihaustheater auf der Wieden, Vienna, Notes - The premier of Die Zauberflöte, after which Mozart only had another 10 weeks to live, was followed by the most successful run of any of his operas, with 197 performances in two years.

Bizet's THE PEARL FISHERS (LES PECHEURS DE PERLES)
8:00 PM January 28, 2011
2:30 PM January 30, 2011
Sponsored by Betty S. and James A. Noe, Jr. Foundation
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The Story:
Set in exotic Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), this opera by the composer of Carmen boasts one of the most famous and beautiful duets in the repertoire. Two men renew their vows of friendship, even though both have fallen in love with the same woman. In the end, one man will make the ultimate sacrifice for the other. The production features choreography and dancing of the New Orleans Ballet Theater.

The Artists:
Leïla, Lisette Oropesa; Nadir, William Burden; Zurga, Liam Bonner; Nourabad, Kenneth Weber; Director/Conductor, Robert Lyall with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Master Carol Rausch with the New Orleans Opera Chorus.

Quick Facts:
Original Language - French, Composer - Georges Bizet, Librettist - Eugène Cormon and Michel Car?e, Description - Opera in 3 Acts, Place - Ceylon (sri Lanka), Premiere Date - September 30, 1863, Premiere Location - Théâtre Lyrique, Paris, Notes - Bizet's most successful opera apart from Carmen, it is notable for its colorful and exotic orchestration, and for its great friendship duet, Au fond du Temple Saint, one of the most famous in all opera.

Verdi's IL TRAVATORE
8:00 PM April 1, 2011
2:30 PM April 3, 2011
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The Story:
Music reigns supreme in this perenniAl Verdi favorite that has triumphed on stages the world over. Its virtuso arias, bracing and heartfelt duets and trios delight us, in addition to enhancing one of the most intriguing plots in all of opera. Returning to the New Orleans Opera stage with this masterpiece are soprano Mary ElizaBeth Williams and baritone Mark Rucker (paired in last season's Tosca), who are joined by mezzo-soprano Irina Mishura and tenor Renzo Zulian.

The Artists:
Count di Luna, Mark Rucker; Leonora, Mary ElizaBeth Williams; Manrico, Renzo Zulian; Azucena, Irina Mishura; Director, Bernard Uzan; Conductor, Robert Lyall with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Master Carol Rausch with the New Orleans Opera Chorus.

Quick Facts:
Original Language - Italian, Composer - Giuseppe Verdi, Librettist -
Salvatore Cammarano and Leone Emanuele Bardare, after the play el Trovador by Antonio Garcia Gutiérrez, Description - Opera in 4 Acts, Time - Early 15th Century, Place - Biscay and Aragon, Premiere Date - January 19, 1853, Premiere Location - Teatro Apollo, Rome, Notes -
The success of the premier surpassed even that of Rigoletto, and the speed with which IL TRAVATORE swept the world was even more sensational.

TICKET PRICES:
Tickets can be purchased by calling the opera box office at (504) 529-3000, or they can be ordered online at www.neworleansopera.org. Season Subscriptions start at $68 and Single Ticket start at $20. Ticket Office Location Mailing Address is 1010 Common Street, Suite 1820, New Orleans, LA 70112 and Box Office hours are 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday.

*Note: Performance-day tickets are available only through Ticketmaster online or at the Theater. Ticketmaster will begin co-selling tickets approximately one week prior to opening night and then exclusively from 5:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the first performance of a production through the final production. Please click here for important Ticketmaster information. There are no refunds and late seating is not allowed.

Gershwin Month:
New Orleans Opera is celebrating 75 years of PORGY AND BESS. To date, the following events have been planned:
• September 25 - A free concert on the levee at the site of the old Holy Cross School, featuring highlights from PORGY AND BESS.
• October 7 - Ogden After Hours with the Opera
• October 12 - WWNO Presents "By George! Banu Gibson Sings the Songs of George Gershwin" at Le Chat Noir

Opera on Tap-New Orleans (OOT-NO):
Now in its 4th season, Opera on Tap - New Orleans is attracting people from around the world. In October 2007 the Big Easy partnered with the Big Apple, making New Orleans the first official Opera on Tap franchise. Twelve times each season, the New Orleans Opera presents the finest young local and regional singers in casual, 90-minute concerts of opera, Broadway and more.
Each performance runs from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM and is free.
• The Rusty Nail, 1100 Constance Street, New Orleans. LA 70130
October 6, 2010, November 10, 2010, January 19, 2011, March 23, 2011
• The Inn on Bourbon, 541 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
September 29, 2010, November 3, 2010, January 12, 2011, March 16, 2011
• Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly Street, Abita Springs, LA 70420
September 22, 2010, October 27, 2010, January 5, 2011, March 9, 2011

Education-Metropelican:
MetroPelican Opera, the education/outreach wing of the New Orleans Opera Association, was founded in 1988 by Arthur Cosenza. He chose Metro to represent the 7-parish population base of New Orleans, and Pelican for the state bird. MetroPelican has subsequently toured throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

MetroPelican introduces students to the opera with in-school programming and free Student Previews. To book MetroPelican programming, call the Opera's education director at (504) 529-2278, ext. 222. Student study guides are available prior to each of the productions. For more information visit our website: www.neworleansopera.org.

H. Lloyd Hawkins Scenic Studio:
H. Lloyd Hawkins Scenic Studio is one of the foremost rental studios of opera scenery and properties in the country, maintaining an inventory of 32 opera productions for both large and small venues. This scenic studio is also home to a 30,000 square foot design studio that has a full carpentry and metal shops, a spacious 80' x 80' paint deck and a fully equipped sewing room. It is staffed for year round construction and refurbishing. New Orleans Opera artisans offer services outside of the opera and can build props and sets to specifications in addition to offering consultations. The studio is located at 3020 Lausat Street, Metairie, LA 70001 and the phone number is (504) 833-0110.

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