Director

A forbidden romance is kindled in Scotland’s Lammermoor Castle. Despite their clans’ age-old feud, Lucia and Edgardo, fall deeply in love and vow to marry. Lucia’s brother, Enrico, has promised her hand in marriage to a wealthy nobleman to save the family’s fortune. Desperate to ensure Lucia goes through with the wedding, Enrico tricks her into believing Edgardo has betrayed her, leading to a devastating turn of events that ultimately drives Lucia to madness.

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St. Pete Opera: Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor

Palladium Theater St. Petersburg

Opera Orlando is thrilled to present a unique operatic experience with "Beatrice Benedict / Cavalleria Rusticana" at the esteemed Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This innovative production will take place in Steinmetz Hall on April 25 & 27, 2025, offering performances at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.

This exceptional event combines Hector Berlioz’s "Beatrice Benedict," based on Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing," with Pietro Mascagni’s "Cavalleria Rusticana" into a single, compelling performance. Audiences will be transported to an Easter day in the Sicilian town of Messina, where they will first be delighted by Berlioz’s comedic tale of love and misunderstandings in the town square, culminating in joyous weddings and a happy conclusion. The mood shifts as the same setting becomes the backdrop for Mascagni’s powerful verismo opera, weaving a story of passion, betrayal, and tragedy.

This all-new opera mash-up is the brainchild of Opera Orlando's artistic director, Grant Preisser, who leads the production. Making his company debut, conductor Pasquale Valerio brings his expertise to the forefront, accompanied by the talents of the Opera Orlando Chorus and Youth Company, as well as dancers from the Orlando Ballet.

"Beatrice Benedict" will be performed in English, while "Cavalleria Rusticana" will be sung in Italian, with both operas featuring English and Spanish supertitles. The total runtime for the evening is 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission.

Subscriptions for the 24/25 season are now available, offering special season launch pricing until July 4. Subscribers can save up to 50% and enjoy an additional 10% discount on two subscriber add-on productions. This is a unique opportunity to experience the fusion of comedy and tragedy in one unforgettable evening at the Dr. Phillips Center.

For more information on tickets and subscriptions, please visit the Dr. Phillips Center's official website or contact the Bill & Mary Darden Box Office at 407.358.6603.

Grant Preisser

Director

Events

Jun 7, 2024

St. Pete Opera: Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor · Palladium at St. Petersburg College

25 - 27 Apr, 2025

Beatrice Benedict / Cavalleria Rusticana · Opera Orlando

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