Set Designer

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.

Vince Herod

Set Designer

Events

Upcoming events

9 - 10 Nov, 2024

The Manchurian Candidate · Austin Opera

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