Don't
miss Verdi's masterpiece of lust, betrayal and greed! Center
City Opera Theater presents Verdi's Macbeth
on Sunday, February 11th at the Kimmel Center's Innovation Studio. Giuseppe
Verdi began writing music for Macbeth in 1846-47. Piave's text was based
on a prose translation by Carlo Rusconi that had been published in Turin
in 1838. Verdi did not encounter Shakespeare's original work until after
the first performance at the Teatro della Pergola in Florence on March
14, 1847.
Experience the intimacy and passion of one of opera's most power-obsessed
couples for one performance only Sunday, February 11th at
2:30pm. A 1:30 pm pre-performance discussion with Artistic Director
Andrew Kurtz and General Director Jonathon Loy will explore Verdi’s
setting of this infamous Shakespearean tale. Click
here for ticket information.
American soprano Lori
Lind joins Center City Opera Theater as the back-stabbing Lady
Macbeth in Center City Opera Theater's semi-staged production of MACBETH.
The Washington Post hails Ms. Lind as "radiant in voice and striking
in stage presence," and she continues to be lauded for her interpretation
of roles in Italian opera, most recently as Norma, Leonora (IL TROVATORE),
Violetta, Mimì and Nedda. Equally adept in modern literature, she
has sung the part of Miriam in Lee Hoiby's THE SCARF and the doomed prophetess
Kassandra in the world premier of Andrew Simpson's dramatic AGAMEMNON. A
versatile, intelligent and elegant singer, Ms. Lind has also performed several
Mozartean roles including Fiordiligi and the Countess.
Tenor
Daniel Holmes
has been praised as a "confident and passionate Roméo"
in Gounod's ROMÉO ET JULIETTE with Opera North, and enthusiastically
lauded as Alfredo in LA TRAVIATA, "his voice was smooth and controlled,
and he sang with unpretentious confidence." Other opera roles include
Rodolfo in LA BOHÈME at Italy's Ravello Festival, Gérald (LAKMÉ)
at Sarasota Opera, Hoffmann in LES CONTES D'HOFFMAN with the Tri-Cities
Opera (NY), Tom in Stravinsky's THE RAKE'S PROGRESS, Sam in Carlisle Floyd's
SUSANNAH and Rinuccio in Puccini's GIANNI SCHICCHI. He has appeared with
many other illustrious opera companies including Washington National Opera,
Baltimore Opera, Annapolis Opera, Opera Vivente (MD), Washington Summer
Opera (DC), Lake George Opera, Glens Falls Symphony (NY), Peabody Opera
Theatre (MD), Maryland Opera Society and Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia.
With his "deep, warm bass voice and an informed musicality," Jorge
Ocasio is quickly becoming a favorite of audiences and music
critics. Recently, he scored triumphs as Dulcamara in his début with
Houston's Opera in the Heights, Leporello and Il Commendatore with El Dorado
Opera in Los Angeles, Balthazar (AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS) in New York
and Los Angeles; Il Commendatore at Teatro del Barrio; Dulcamara, Dr. Bartolo
and the Sacristan in New York City. He returns to Opera in the Heights to
reprise his appealing Leporello in March. Other performance highlights include
principal roles in Puerto Rico's acclaimed Puccini Gala; in New York's hugely
popular Verdi Marathon; appearances with the X Festival of Music, where
he performed as soloist in J. S. Bach's humorous "Coffee Cantata"; in Costa
Rica and Guatemala with the Baroque Ensemble of New York; a dizzy Sacristan
with Aprile Millo as Tosca at Connecticut Grand Opera; television broadcasts
of Tosca with Opera de Puerto Rico; the title role in Mozart's LE NOZZE
DI FIGARO in Rome, Italy. 
Looking
for the perfect Valentine's gift? Surprise your Valentine with two tickets
to our annual fundraising event "Divine Harmony: An Evening
of Fine Wine, Delectable Food and Delicious Music." This year's
elegant and intimate affair will be held on Saturday, March 10th
at 7pm in the Kimmel Center's Comcast
Circle. Philadelphia's most popular sommelier Marnie Old
will lead guests through a divine wine tasting accompanied
by delectable food, as well as delicious jazz, Broadway and classical music
performed by Center City Opera Theater artists. A live and silent
auction to benefit the company will feature restaurant gift certificates,
works of art and tickets to area events. Tickets are $75 per person.
For an extra $50, you can purchase a personal serenade for your special
someone. Email info@operatheater.org
for reservations.
Back by popular demand! Center City Opera Theater will expand its Opera Encore Series as it moves from the Kimmel Center's Rendell Room to Innovation Studio, the Kimmel Center's 200-seat black-box theater. In this intimate setting, Center City Opera Theater's artists will perform semi-staged productions with piano accompaniment, operas based on great literary works: Hansel and Gretel, Little Women, Macbeth, Of Mice and Men and Romeo and Juliet. Click here for tickets and more information.
Born
in 1961, Lowell Liebermann is one of the most widely performed and commissioned
composers. The
Picture of Dorian Gray, his first opera, was commissioned
by the Opéra de Monte-Carlo and premiered at the Salle Garnier,
Monte-Carlo on May 8, 1996. Recipient of a Pew Charitable Grant
through the support of the Philadelphia Music Project,
Center City Opera Theater has commissioned a chamber
orchestration of the opera, which will receive its world premiere in Philadelphia
on June 6, 9, 10m, and 12, 2007. For
tickets, click
here.
Volunteers
are a critical component of the Center City Opera Theater team. Have you
always wanted to know what an opera singer's day-to-day life is like? Find
out by volunteering to host one of our artists during their rehearsal and
performance time in Philadelphia. Short-term and longer stays are needed.
We also have volunteer opportunities in event support, fundraising and marketing.
Call (215) 968-2492 or email info@operatheater.org
to join our team today.