Odyssey Opera Presents Five-Hour Concert of Wagner's RIENZI Today

ODYSSEY OPERA, a new, Boston-based opera company dedicated to presenting adventurous repertoire, debuts today, September 15th at Boston's Jordan Hall offering a five-hour concert performance of Wagner's rarely heard opera "Rienzi." In celebration of the bicentennial of Richard Wagner's birth (1813-1883), Odyssey salutes one of history's greatest and most controversial opera composers in a spectacular Wagnerian event performed in true Bayreuth fashion. (Program details are below.)

"Like Wagner, Odyssey Opera is reaching beyond traditional opera," says Gil Rose, Odyssey's Artistic and General Director. "What better way to kick-start this journey than to present the spectacular 'Rienzi' opera to Boston audiences for the first time?!" Known to arouse feelings of intense passion, "Rienzi" continues to ignite strong emotions today. "It's a bold piece of art. 'Rienzi' combines pageantry with excitement, mystery, drama and action. We guarantee it'll get pulses racing!"

Led by Conductor Gil Rose, "Rienzi" will be performed by the Odyssey Opera Orchestra and Chorus, Boston's Lorelei Ensemble and an international cast headed by Lithuanian tenor Kristian Benedikt, one of the world's most promising and exciting dramatic tenors of his generation, making his North American debut. "This marks my second Wagnerian role," says Benedikt. "'Rienzi' is a pathetically big antic tragedy. I'm sure that everyone who attends this performance will leave happy." Cast members include: Metropolitan Opera soprano Elisabete Matos, Margaret Jane Wray who was recently acclaimed for her performances in Seattle Opera ring cycle, Grammy nominee Kristopher Irmiter, Stephen Salters, David Kravitz, Ethan Bremner, Kristen Watson, Robert Honeysucker, and Frank Kelley.

Wagner's third completed opera, "Rienzi" was written in the "grand opera" style - five acts and a great deal of spectacle. It was the composer's first success. "Rienzi" is the story of a 14th-century tribune who seeks to return Rome to its former glory. Disavowed by Wagner himself for sounding "too Italian," the epic-length "Rienzi" is rarely performed perhaps due to its difficult title role, lofty special stage effects including a lengthy ballet in the French Grand Opera tradition. The score is soaked in huge, elaborate choral numbers, romantic melodies, and rousing marches. It remained Wagner's greatest success during his lifetime.

About Odyssey Opera

Founded in 2013 by Artistic Director/Conductor Gil Rose, Odyssey Opera presents adventurous and eclectic works that affirm opera as a powerful expression of the human experience. Its world-class artists perform the operatic repertoire from its historic beginnings through lesser-known masterpieces to contemporary new works and commissions in a variety of formats and venues. Odyssey Opera sets standards of high musical and theatrical excellence and innovative programming to advance the operatic genre beyond the familiar and into undiscovered territory. Odyssey Opera takes its audience on a journey to places they've never been before. www.odysseyopera.org

Cast:

Rienzi - Kristian Benedikt (North American Debut)

Irene - Elisabete Matos

Adriano - Margaret Jane Wray

Kardinal Orvieto - Kristopher Irmiter

Steffano Colonna - Stephen Salters

Paolo Orsini - David Kravitz

Baroncelli - Ethan Bremner

Cecco del Vecchio - Robert Honeysucker

Messenger of Peace - Kristen Watson

Herald - Frank Kelley

Music Performed By:

Orchestra and Chorus of Odyssey Opera

Lorelei Ensemble

Gil Rose/Conductor