Tony Award-Winning Phylicia Rashad Joins the Cast of Beethoven's FIDELIO

The Houston Symphony announced today that Tony Award winner and three-time Emmy Award nominee Phylicia Rashad will join the cast of its new semi-staged, concert version ofBeethoven's Fidelio, the composer's only opera, March 31 and April 2.

Houston-native Rashad joins the orchestra and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada as a narrator in a streamlined production of Beethoven's masterpiece, a politically-charged drama that follows the heroic struggles of a devoted wife who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband, a political prisoner. Although the music remains central in this version of Fidelio, the spoken German-language dialogue in the original score is replaced with Rashad's narration of excerpts from iconic speeches, poetry and literature that engage with the timeless themes of the opera.

Houston-based Tara Faircloth, a seasoned director of opera productions across the United States, worked closely with Orozco-Estrada to develop this fresh, exciting take on Fidelio. Commenting on the role Rashad will play in the production, Faircloth explains "I've created a character who sits outside of the action, but provides comments and thoughtful reflection on the events we see unfolding on the stage. Fidelio has so many themes to explore, but perhaps the strongest is the power of hope in the face of tyrannical oppression."

Newly-designed projections and atmospheric lighting and video effects, created by lighting and projection designer Sarah Tundermann, will be a significant component of the experience, framing the story and reflecting its emotional content. The singers' clothes will be stylized in a way to support the unfolding drama as they perform on walkways and platforms in, around and in front of the orchestra musicians to support the incredible musical message and to focus the drama in specific areas of the stage.

The concert will take place at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street, in Houston's Theater District. For tickets and information, please call (713) 224-7575 or visit www.houstonsymphony.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center in Jones Hall (Monday-Saturdayfrom 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). All programs and artists are subject to change.

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