Patricia Racette to Lead LA Opera's SALOME, 2/18 - Full Cast Announced!

General Director Plácido Domingo announced complete casting details for LA Opera's upcoming presentation of Richard Strauss's Salome, to be conducted by Music Director James Conlon. A revival of the production originally staged by Sir Peter Hall during the company's inaugural season, Salome will star soprano Patricia Racette in the title role, her fifth leading role in Los Angeles. Performances will take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012) from February 18 through March 19.

"Salome created a sensation here in 1986, playing an important early role in bringing LA Opera to international attention," said Mr. Domingo. "This now-iconic production was subsequently revived here in 1986, 1989 and 1998, and it has been seen throughout the United States and Europe. For this season's revival, with an all-new, world-class cast, we have refurbished John Bury's original sets for a fresh look at this modern classic, with new costumes by Sara Jean Tosetti, new choreography by Peggy Hickey and a new director, David Paul."

Performance Dates and Times
There will be six performances of Salome presented at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 90012):

• Saturday, February 18, 2017, at 7:30pm
• Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 7:30pm
• Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, March 5, 2017, at 2pm
• Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, March 19, 2017, at 2pm

The Cast
Soprano Patricia Racette returns to LA Opera as Salome, after her most recent appearance in Los Angeles as Marie Antoinette in The Ghosts of Versailles in 2015. She performed Salome earlier this season at the Metropolitan Opera, after earlier appearances in the role with Pittsburgh Opera, Opera San Antonio Opera and the Ravinia Festival. Icelandic baritone Tómas Tómasson sings the role of Jochanaan (John the Baptist), his first L.A. appearance since his 2013 debut in the title role of The Flying Dutchman. Tenor Allan Glassman, who made his company debut in 2004 in the title role of Idomeneo, returns as Salome's lascivious stepfather, Herod.

German soprano Gabriele Schnaut, a noted Wagnerian who has performed Brünnhilde in the Ring cycle in Bayreuth, makes her LA Opera debut as Herodias, Salome's mother. Tenor Issachah Savage makes his company debut as Narraboth, the captain of Herod's guard.

Polish-born mezzo-soprano Katarzyna S?dej makes her company debut as the Page. The cast also includes Nicholas Brownlee and Patrick Blackwell as the Two Soldiers; Rodell Rosel, Josh Wheeker, Brian Michael Moore, Carlos Enrique Santelli and Gabriel Vamvulescu as the Five Jews; and Kihun Yoon and Theo Hoffman as the Two Nazarenes. Mr. Santelli and Mr. Vamvulescu will also appear, respectively, as the Sale and the Cappadocian.

The Creative Team
Music Director James Conlon conducts the epic, opulent score by Richard Strauss, a true orchestral showpiece. This revival of Salome will be directed by David Paul, who makes his company debut. The scenery was designed by the late John Bury. The production's new costumes are designed by Sara Jean Tosetti, who makes her LA Opera debut, and the lighting is designed by Duane Schuler. The choreography is created by Peggy Hickey.

Advance Tickets
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets begin at $21 and can be purchased in person at the LA Opera Box Office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, by phone at 213.972.8001 or online at LAOpera.org. For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.

For additional information, visit LAOpera.org/Salome.

To download production photographs (as they become available) and artist headshots, click here.

LA Opera's production of Salome is made possible by generous support from GRoW @ Annenberg, an initiative of Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family, Annenberg Foundation.

LA Opera is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.

Yamaha is the Official Piano of LA Opera.

LAOpera.org