Stage Director

The Austin Opera is thrilled to announce the opening of its 2024-2025 Season with a riveting production of "The Manchurian Candidate." This compelling opera, an adaptation of Richard Condon’s 1959 political thriller, is brought to life by the Pulitzer-Prize-winning team of Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, known for their creation of "Silent Night." Garnering four Austin Critics Table Awards, "The Manchurian Candidate" tells a gripping story of patriotism, corruption, political ambition, and self-sacrifice. The opera makes its highly anticipated return to the Long Center stage in November, following its acclaimed 2016 Austin debut.

Starring in this production is Mark Diamond as Sgt. Raymond Shaw, a U.S. soldier and war hero entangled in a web of political intrigue, with his own mother, Eleanor, played by Metropolitan Opera leading lady Mary Dunleavy, at the center. The cast also features 2024 GRAMMY nominee soprano Rachel Blaustein as Jocelyn, Shaw’s former girlfriend, and commanding bass-baritone Kyle Albertson as Senator Johnny Iselin. GRAMMY award-winning tenor Frederick Ballentine debuts with the company as Captain Ben Marco, Shaw’s war buddy who uncovers the brainwashing plot, leading to a thrilling chase to prevent an assassination.

The production's award-winning staging by Alison Moritz, alongside the Austin Opera Orchestra led by Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director Timothy Myers, promises an intense and dramatic experience. The opera's powerfully cinematic backdrop is enhanced by Greg Emetaz’s visual projections, Vince Herod’s scenic design, and Kathryn Eader’s dramatic lighting.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Long Center. Single tickets will go on sale on Thursday, September 5, 2024. This season opener is not just an opera but an immersive experience into a story that combines the best of music, drama, and visual artistry, promising to be an unforgettable highlight of Austin’s cultural calendar.

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The Manchurian Candidate

The Long Center for the Performing Arts

The Glimmerglass Festival proudly presents "Elizabeth Cree," a modern operatic masterpiece by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, as a highlight of its 2024 season. Directed by Alison Moritz and featuring the 2024 Artist-in-Residence Tara Erraught in the title role, this new production promises to captivate audiences with its suspenseful and theatrical narrative. Set against the backdrop of 1880s London, the opera intertwines the trial of Elizabeth Cree for her husband's poisoning, a series of brutal murders by a Jack the Ripper-style killer, the vibrant world of an English music hall, and guest appearances by Victorian Age luminaries.

"Elizabeth Cree" is a unique blend of factual and fictive elements, historical and imaginary, originally scored for a small chamber ensemble but performed at Glimmerglass with an expanded string complement. The opera is sung in English with projected English text, ensuring accessibility for all audience members. With a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes without an intermission, the performances are scheduled from July 28 to August 20, 2024.

The opera's rich narrative is brought to life by a talented cast, including Christian Mark Gibbs as Dan Leno, John Chest as John Cree, Elizabeth Sutphen as Aveline Mortimer, and Schyler Vargas as Inspector Kildare, among others. The production is generously sponsored by Jacqueline B. Mars, with additional support from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.

Set in a world where narratives of personal struggle, mystery, and historical intrigue collide, "Elizabeth Cree" offers a compelling exploration of identity, illusion, and the pursuit of truth. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this thrilling work at The Glimmerglass Festival. Tickets and ticket packages are available now for what promises to be a highlight of the summer's cultural calendar.

Elizabeth Cree

Alice Busch Opera Theater

Mozart’s riveting masterpiece follows Don Giovanni, a man who uses people without a care for their hearts, or the consequences. All the while, the Don’s servant Leporello records his master’s misdeeds. By killing the father of a woman he’s attacked, Giovanni sets in motion events that could lead to his end. Will he get away with his unrepentant pursuit of selfish desire? Or will there be hell to pay? 

Don Giovanni

Cincinnati Music Hall

Campbell’s libretto is inspired by the work of iconic American artist Edward Hopper and his enigmatic depictions of life in New York City during the early 20th century. The one-act opera is set in a single evening in 1932 Manhattan and brings to life the characters and scenes from five Hopper paintings: Room in New York (1932), Hotel Window (1955), Hotel Room (1931), Two on the Aisle (1927), and Automat (1927). In a series of parallel vignettes, the characters all attend the same Broadway show. Later the Same Evening captures Hopper’s frequent motifs of isolation and loneliness, but as the 11 characters leave the theater, the opera’s parting theme rings clearly: New York is full of the possibility of connection.

Juilliard Opera Presents John Musto and Mark Campbell's "Later the Same Evening"

The Juilliard School

A group of military wives gathers after rumors of a possible incident on the battlefront. Their husbands are fighting the war in Fallujah. Meanwhile, a young Army officer makes the long journey to their gathering place. Named for the expression military spouses use for notifications of death, The Knock explores what must be endured by the loved ones of those who serve. Based on years of interviews with real spouses of American soldiers, this new opera tells dramatic stories of heroism that often go unheard, tragedies that go far beyond the conflict. 

The Knock

The innocent Candide discovers that human beings aren’t all they are cracked up to be and ultimately focuses on building his own life on his own terms. Featuring modern classics “Glitter and Be Gay,” “Make our Garden Grow,” and a rip-roaring Overture for the ages, Candide makes its company debut in Atlanta. 

Candide

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Opera Philadelphia proudly presents a new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's riveting masterpiece, "Don Giovanni." This beloved opera, performed in Italian with English supertitles, delves into the life of the charming yet despicable nobleman, Don Giovanni. Known for his unrepentant pursuit of selfish desires, Giovanni's actions, including the assault of a woman and the murder of her father, set in motion a series of events that could lead to his ultimate downfall. The question remains: will Don Giovanni escape the consequences of his actions, or will there be hell to pay?

This production, brought to life under the baton of conductor Corrado Rovaris and director Alison Moritz, features a talented cast including Timothy Murray as Don Giovanni, Olivia Smith as Donna Anna, Khanyiso Gwenxane as Don Ottavio, Elizabeth Reiter as Donna Elvira, Nicholas Newton as Leporello, Amanda Sheriff as Zerlina, Kevin Godínez as Masetto, and Raymond Aceto as Commendatore. The creative team is rounded out with Philip Witcomb handling set and costume design, Thomas C. Hase on lighting design, and Elizabeth Braden as chorus master.

The opera is set to take place at the Academy of Music with performances scheduled from April to May 2025. Specific dates include April 25th and May 2nd at 8:00 p.m., and April 27th and May 4th at 2:00 p.m. The runtime is approximately 3 hours, including one 20-minute intermission. This production is a collaboration with Cincinnati Opera and is part of Opera Philadelphia’s 2024-2025 Season, supported by the Artistry Now Matching Fund and Barbara Augusta Teichert, with additional support from Judy and Peter Leone for Academy of Music productions.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience Mozart's timeless tale of seduction, power, and retribution in this new production that promises to captivate and entertain.

Academy of Music

Mr. Fox and his clever animal companions as they outsmart three bumbling farmers. Perfect for opera enthusiasts and families alike, this new production performed at Lauritzen Gardens will leave you with a smile as big as Mr. Fox's plans!

Alison Moritz

Stage Director

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 25 - May 4, 2025

Don Giovanni · Opera Philadelphia

5 - 8 Jun, 2025

Fantastic Mr. Fox · Opera Omaha

Past events

9 - 10 Nov, 2024

The Manchurian Candidate · Austin Opera

Jul 28 - Aug 20, 2024

Elizabeth Cree · Glimmerglass Festival

About

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