Florida Grand Opera Begins Casting For 2016-2017 Season

Florida Grand Opera (FGO), with its new artistic vision, is proud to announce the casting choices for the four productions of its 2016-17 Season, which include Georges Bizet's Carmen, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, Jorge Martin's Before Night Falls, and Giuseppe Verdi's A Masked Ball (Un Ballo in Maschera).

All four of these productions will be performed at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Florida Grand Opera will also be bringing Bizet'sCarmen, Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, and Verdi's Eugene Onegin to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.

The casting decisions for each production are detailed below. Please note that most artists' names have been hyperlinked to their professional websites, which will provide biographical information and other resources.

FGO is currently accepting subscription renewals, new subscriptions and single tickets online or at FGO's Box Office. FGO's Box Office is located at the Doral Center on 8390 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33122, and is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday during the season. Season tickets may also be purchased by phone at (800) 741-1010.

FGO's 2016-17 PRODUCTIONS

Carmen

FGO will open its 76th season of continuous production with a beloved opera classic, Georges Bizet's Carmen, from November 12 through December 3, 2016.

Carmen, one of the world's most famous and frequently performed operas, shocked Parisian audiences at its first performances in 1875. The seductive girl from the cigarette factory, the love crazed soldier, and the swaggering matador were without precedent on the operatic stage, but within just a few yearsCarmen was being performed all over the world.

Bizet's passionate score and the opera's sordid tale of obsession, betrayal, defiance, and rage make for a truly operatic experience in every way.

This classic, traditional production of Carmen will be performed at both the Adrienne Arsht and Broward Centers for the Performing Arts.

SCHEDULE | Carmen

**Sung in French with projected titles in English and Spanish**

MIAMI ? Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Saturday, November 12, 2016 5:30 pm
Sunday, November 13, 2016 2:00 pm
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 8:00 pm
Friday, November 18, 2016 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 19, 2016 8:00 pm

FORT LAUDERDALE ? Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
Thursday, December 1, 2016 7:30pm
Saturday, December 3, 2016 7:30pm

CAST |Carmen

Carmen

María José Montiel Nov 12, 15, 19, Dec 1, 3

Tara Venditti Nov 13, 18

Don Jose

Rafael Davila - Nov 12, 15, 19, Dec 1, 3
Alok Kumar Nov 13, 18

Escamillo..................................................Ryan Kuster

Micaëla..................................................Hailey Clark

Zuniga..................................................Alex Soare

Le Dancaïre..................................................Bejamin C. Taylor

Le Remendado

Dominick Corbacio Nov 12, 15, 19, Dec 1, 3 and

Michael Kuhn Nov 13, 18

Moralès..................................................Nicholas J. Ward

Fransquita

Elena Galván Nov 12, 15, 19, Dec 1, 3

Laura León Nov 13, 18

Mercédès..................................................Courtney Miller

Conductor..................................................Ramón Tebar

Director..................................................Bernard Uzan

= FGO Debut

Eugene Onegin

The season continues in January 2016 with Eugene Onegin by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This operatic masterpiece, based on Alexander Pushkin's famous novel, returns to Florida Grand Opera's repertory after an absence of 17 years.

A young woman's infatuation is met with an aristocrat's insensitivity in the retelling of one of literature's most poignant stories. Tatyana is infatuated by the world-weary aristocrat Eugene Onegin, but his rejection of her sets in motion a series of events that entail tragendy, remorse, and estrangement, and conclude with Onegin's final desperate bid for happiness.

Eugene Onegin is set amid the opulence of Imperial Russia, and Pushkin's moving story and Tchaikovsky's maginicent score embody all of the elegance, melancholy, and nobility that define the era.

This production will be presented at both the Adrienne Arsht and Broward Centers for the Performing Arts.

SCHEDULE | Eugene Onegin

**Sung in Russian with projected titles in English and Spanish**

MIAMI ? Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Saturday, January 28, 2017 7 pm
Sunday, January 29, 2017 2 pm
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 8 pm
Friday, February 3, 2017 8 pm
Saturday, February 4, 2017 8 pm

FORT LAUDERDALE ? Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
Thursday, February 9, 2017 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 11, 2017 7:30 pm

CAST | Eugene Onegin

Tatyana:

Dina Kuznetsova Jan 28, 31, Feb 4, 9

Lyubov Petrova Jan 29, Feb 3, 11

Eugene Onegin:

Franco Pomponi - Jan 28, 31, Feb 4, 9

John Brancy Jan 29, Feb 3, 11

Lensky

Chad Johnson Jan 28, 31, Feb 4, 9

Martín Nusspaumer Jan 29, Feb 3, 11

Olga..................................................Courtney Miller

Prince Gremin..................................................Alex Soare

Madame Larina..................................................Robynne Redmon

Filipievna - Denyce Graves - Jan 28, 31, Feb 4, 9

Melissa Fajardo Jan 29, Feb 3, 11

Monsieur Triquet..................................................Dominick Corbacio

Zaretsky..................................................Calvin Griffin

A Captain..................................................Benjamin C. Taylor

Conductor..................................................Alexander Polianichko

Director..................................................Jeffrey Marc Buchman

= FGO Debut

Before Night Falls

In continuation of its "Made for Miami" series, FGO is proud to present the regional premiere of Jorge Martin's Before Night Falls. The "Made for Miami" series is designed to present one opera each season that is especially relevant to the South Florida community.

Based on the memoir of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas, the story follows his life from childhood pverty in the Cuban countryside to his emigration to the US in the 1980 Mariel boatlift and his last decade suffering from AIDS. Persecuted by the Castro regime as a dissident writer and homosexual, the opera centers on his trials and tribulations as a political prisoner forced to smuggle his manuscripts abroad for publication.

"Cuban-American composer Jorge Martín and I have been discussing this production and the South Florida market for years, and I am thrilled that we now have an opportunity to present it," said Susan T. Danis, General Director & CEO of FGO. "This story touches the lives and hearts of so many; I am proud to continue our Made for Miami series with this production."

Fort Worth Opera presented the world premiere of this opera to critical acclaim in their 2010 spring season. This production will be presented only at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.

SCHEDULE | Before Night Falls

**Sung in English and Spanish with projected titles in English and Spanish**

MIAMI ? Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Saturday, March 18, 2017 7 pm
Sunday, March 19, 2017 2 pm
Tuesday, March 21, 2017 8 pm
Friday, March 24, 2017 8 pm
Saturday, March 25, 2017 8 pm

CAST | Before Night Falls

Reinaldo Arenas..................................................Elliot Madore

Ovidio..................................................Dinyar Vania

Victor..................................................Calvin Griffin

Lazaro..................................................Javier Abreu

Pepe/Port/Visa Official..................................................Elizabeth Caballero

Mother/The Sea..................................................Melissa Fajardo

The Moon..................................................Laura León

Peasant's Mother..................................................Laura León

Conductor..................................................Christopher Allen

Director..................................................David Gately

= FGO Debut

A Masked Ball (Un Ballo in Maschera)

Gustavo, the young and popular king, is planning a masked ball. His secretary and close friend Count Anckarström has become aware of conspirators who want Gustavo dead. Unbeknownst to Anckarström, the king is in love with his wife Amelia. When Gustavo eavesdrops on Amelia and hears her confess that she loves him too, a chain of events is unleashed that leads inexorably toward tragedy.

SCHEDULE | Un Ballo in Maschera

**Sung in Italian with projected titles in English and Spanish**

MIAMI ? Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Saturday, April 29, 2017 7 pm
Sunday, April 30, 2017 2 pm
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 8 pm
Friday, May 5, 2017 8 pm
Saturday, May 6, 2017 8 pm

FORT LAUDERDALE ? Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
Thursday, May 11, 2017 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 13, 2017 7:30 pm

CAST | A Masked Ball

Gustavo

Martin Muehle April 29, May 2, 6, 11

JoNathan Burton - April 30, May 5, 13

Amelia

TaMara Wilson April 29, May 2, 6, 11

Alexandra LoBianco April 30, May 5, 13

Count Anckarstrom...Todd Thomas

Oscar...Elena Galván

Ulrica...Dana Beth Miller

A Judge...Benjamin Werley

Cristiano...Nicholas J. Ward

Amelia's Servant...Benjamin Werley

Count Ribbing...Calvin Griffin

Count Horn...Alex Soare

Conductor...Ramón Tebar

Director...Marco Pelle

= FGO Debut

About Florida Grand Opera

Florida Grand Opera (FGO), the oldest performing arts organization in Florida, celebrates its 76th year of continuously producing grand opera during the 2016-17 Season. The mainstage operas of the season include: Georges Bizet Carmen (November 12 - December 3) , Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin (January 28 - February 11), Jorge Martín's Before Night Falls(March 18 - March 25), and Giuseppe Verdi's A Masked Ball (April 29 - May 13).

FGO is currently accepting subscription renewals, new subscriptions, and donations online or at FGO's offices. FGO's Box Office is located at the Doral Center on 8390 NW 25 Street, Miami, FL 33122, and is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday during the season. Season tickets may also be purchased by phone at (800) 741-1010. For more information on supporting our work through donation, or to make a pledge please contact Individual Giving Officer Carlton Ford at 305.403.3320 or cford@fgo.org.

Founded in 1941 as Greater Miami Opera and later merging with The Opera Guild Inc. in 1994, FGO presents a mixture of standard repertoire and contemporary works as well as commissions and new productions - all featuring projected translations in English and Spanish. FGO is recognized for funding by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Funding is also provided, in part, by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council. Program support is provided by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council. Florida Grand Opera is a Resident Company of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and a member company of OPERA America. Intercontinental Miami is the Official Hotel and Steinway & Sons is the Official Piano of Florida Grand Opera.