Stages in Miami and Fort Lauderdale will glitter with stars from all corners of the operatic world in a grand season filled with romance, ruses and rebellion.
Florida Grand Opera will kick off its 81st season at the Arsht Center with a nod to Miami’s vibrant international culture, a Spanish-language production of Domenico Cimarosa’s family comedy, “El matrimonio secreto” (“The Secret Marriage”), Nov. 12 - 15.
Commissioned by FGO General Director and CEO Susan T. Danis, the production, set in colorful 1980s Miami Beach, was conceived by Puerto Rican creative Crystal Manich and celebrates Miami’s Caribbean, Latin, and South American diaspora.
“El matrimonio secreto” will be directed by Elena Araoz and conducted by Cuban conductor and founder of the Florida Chamber Orchestra, Marlene Urbay. It is a new production by FGO with set design by Lindsay Fuori, costumes by FGO’s own Darío Almirón, and lighting by Stevie Agnew.
This winter, Puccini’s comic gem “Gianni Schicchi” returns to the FGO stage for the first time since 1953. The darkly comic tale of a toxic family who tries to circumvent their late patriarch’s will pairs with Michael Ching’s equally clever contemporary sequel, “Buoso’s Ghost,” which picks up at the moment “Schicchi” ends.
Audiences will enjoy the rare opportunity to hear a composer conduct his own opera, as Ching takes the stand for both one-acts. Ching served on the FGO music staff for several years at the beginning of his impressive career: first as music assistant, then music administrator and finally, chorus master.
The double bill runs January 28 – 31 at the Arsht Center in Miami and February 9 and 11 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale.
A fiery tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice in Napoleonic Rome, “Tosca” is one of Puccini’s most beloved scores, and the cast features Metropolitan Opera soprano Toni Marie Palmertree, making her house and role debut.
Maestro Gregory Buchalter and stage director Jeffrey Marc Buchman reunite after last season’s acclaimed “A Streetcar Named Desire” to conduct and direct, respectively. “Tosca” will be performed March 18 – 21 at the Arsht Center in Miami and April 13 and 15 at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale.
In the final show of the season, FGO revives the beloved Rossini comedy, The Barber of Seville, April 29 – May 2 at the Arsht Center and May 18 and 20 at the Broward Center.
South Korean baritone Young-Kwang Yoo, a rising international star, takes on the lovable rascal Figaro. Returning as a guest artist after two years in the Studio Program, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche brings her brilliant coloratura and charming stage presence to the clever ward Rosina.
Tickets and more information at FGO.org.
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