North Carolina Opera to Co-Commision COLD MOUNTAIN, Presented by Santa Fe Opera, 8/1

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina Opera has joined the consortium co-commissioning and co-producing the new opera COLD MOUNTAIN, with music by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Jennifer Higdon and libretto by the renowned Gene Scheer. Based on Charles Frazier's wildly successful 1997 novel COLD MOUNTAIN (which sold over four million copies and won the National Book Award for fiction) this North Carolina story tells of the long journey homeward of Confederate soldier Inman to his love, Ada.

Santa Fe Opera will present the world premiere of COLD MOUNTAIN on August 1, 2015, followed by Opera Philadelphia in February 2016. North Carolina Opera plans to present the new opera as part of the 2017-2018 season, followed by Minnesota Opera in their 2018-2019 season.

"As a continuation of the rising artistic standard and broadening scope of the first five seasons of North Carolina Opera, it is thrilling to announce our involvement with COLD MOUNTAIN," says North Carolina Opera Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Timothy Myers. "For our first outing as a co-commissioner of a major American opera we are thrilled to partner in producing this epic story by Charles Frazier, so vividly brought to life in operatic form by Jennifer Higdon and Gene Scheer. This piece has deeply ingrained historical and cultural connections to North Carolina that will invigorate our core audience, while inspiring our state-wide community."

North Carolina Opera General Director Eric Mitchko adds "This is a tremendously exciting new piece, one that will have a special significance for North Carolina audiences. We have already seen great enthusiasm for a local production of this opera. NCO is very happy to be partnering with such important theaters as Santa Fe Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Minnesota Opera."

C. Thomas Kunz, the President of the Board of Directors of North Carolina Opera also stated "Co-commissioning and co-producing this important work is indicative of how the team of Timothy Myers and Eric Mitchko is bringing artistically and creatively superior operatic works to our audiences in the Triangle."

The production will be directed by Leonard Foglia, with set design by Robert Brill, costume design by David C. Woolard, Lighting Design by Brian Nason, and Video Projection Design by Elaine McCarthy.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA OPERA

North Carolina Opera was formed in 2010 from the merger of The Opera Company of North Carolina and Capital Opera Raleigh. It is dedicated to presenting operatic performances at the highest level throughout the Triangle. We also have a robust education program that brings opera to schools across Wake County and surrounding counties. North Carolina Opera brings international level artists to Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, and also engages the best in local Triangle talent. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorthCarolinaOpera or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ncoperafor up to date information on events in the community, news and more.