The Florentine Opera's 83rd Season to Feature a World Premiere, Classics and More!

The Florentine Opera Company General Director William Florescu announced the nation's sixth oldest opera company's 83Rd season with a 'grand reveal party' in the Marcus Centers newly renovated Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall:

"The Florentine Opera announces a captivating 83rd Season of passion, betrayal, deception, triumph, and comedy! This world-class season features operas by renowned composers old and new-a world-premiere, belovedclassics, a romantic studio artist concert and more, will provide an intoxicating mix for newcomers and veteran opera-lovers alike.

This season features from our world-premiere of Sister Carrie by the double Grammy® Award-winning team of Aldridge & Garfein, to Mozart's steamy Don Giovanni, to Rossini's comic folly The Barber of Seville, to our romantic Valentine revue inspired by Latin music and culture. You won't want to miss a note of the Florentine Opera's 83rd Season of world-class professional opera," noted the company's general Director William Florescu to an audience of nearly 200, fans that braved last night's winter storm.

The 83rd Season of great opera from the Florentine begins on October 7 and 9, 2016 with the world-premiere production and professional recording of Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein's (Two-Time Grammy Award-winning creators of Elmer Gantry 2010) new opera, Sister Carrie, in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Based on Theodore Dreiser's classic novel (1900), the opera unveils the tortuous path to fame for a small town girl, as America industrialized and large segments of the rural populace flooded into an urban sea of humanity. Through a rich score and a brilliant libretto, Aldridge and Garfein have crafted an opera that brims and bustles with this pivotal American moment. Librettist Herschel Garfein describes this tale of tragic romance as "a moving, at times harrowing, confrontation between two dark, unknowable forces: the force of desire and the force of survival."

Acclaimed Mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala (Cheribino in Le Nozze di Figaro 2013) returns as Carrie, and baritone Keith Phares (Elmer in Elmer Gantry 2010) lead the cast.

Cast and Creative team listed below.

Carrie: Mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala

Hurstwood: Baritone Keith Phares

Lola: Soprano Alisa Jordheim

Drouet: Tenor Matt Morgan

Composer: Robert Aldridge

Librettist: Herschel Garfein

Director: William Florescu

Conductor: William Boggs

Scenic Designer: Kris Stone

Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack

Costume Designer: Rachel Laritz (debut)

Mozart's Don Giovanni returns to Uihlein Hall March 17 & 19, 2017 at the Marcus Center. The quintessential rake, Don Giovanni, a womanizing scoundrel, executes his devious conquests and hijinks only to be called by the fates for his transgressions. Da Ponte's libretto and Mozart's brilliant score reveal the human condition and all its foibles. The Florentine is pleased to produce this revival of its 2006 production, which won rave reviews in Milwaukee and cities across the country. This Florentine production is directed by John Hoomes, under the baton of the Florentine's Joseph Rescigno with Scenic Design by Kris Stone and Lighting Design by the Florentine's Noele Stollmack.

Cast and Creative team listed below.

Don Giovanni: Baritone Alexander Dobson (debut)

Leporello: Bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana

Donna Anna: Soprano Emily Birsan (debut)

Donna Elvira: Mezzo-Soprano Emily Fons (debut)

Commendatore: Bass David Leigh (debut)

Don Ottavio: Tenor Brian Stucki (debut)

Director: John Hoomes

Conductor: Joseph Rescigno

Scenic Designer: Kris Stone

Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack

Gioacchino Rossini's Barber of Seville returns May 5 & 7, 2017 to the Marcus Center's Uihlein Hall. Our comic hero, Figaro, takes a Machiavellian center stage in this hilarious operatic folly. Deceptions and counter-deceptions frame Rossini's frothy score in this delightful and adventurous romp. From the instantly recognizable overture to the opera's hilariously happy ending, audiences will be transported by one of opera's greatest comic masterpieces.

Cast and Creative team listed below.

Figaro: Baritone Luis Alejandro Orozco (debut)

Rosina: Mezzo-soprano Carol Garcia (debut)

Almaviva: Tenor Taylor Stayton (debut)

Bartolo: Baritone Andrew Wilkowske

Basilio: Bass-baritone Matthew Burns

Director: William Florescu

Conductor: Joseph Rescigno

Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack

Our Romantic Revue returns with Romance Español, February 10, 11 & 12, 2017 in the Marcus Center's Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall. Valentine's Day weekend would not be complete without a romantic tour of some of the most famed romantic cities. The Florentine Opera Studio Artists will deliver their musical valentine to you with Romance Español. This revue will delight audiences with the beauty of opera's most beloved arias and songs inspired by Latin music and culture.

Hosted by: Bill Florescu

Performed by: the 2016-2017 Florentine Opera Studio Artists

THE FLORENTINE'S RIVERWEST CONCERT SERIES @ THE CENTER CONTINUES
featuring the 2016-2017 Florentine Opera Studio Artists

An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan II
Thursday, November 10, 2016 @ 7:30 pm, Friday, November 11, 2016 @ 7:30 pm,
Saturday, November 21, 2016 @ 7:30 pm
Our @ The Center Series begins with the triumphant return of our ever popular concert An Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan, featuring the beautiful operettas and musical theatre works of this highly talented composer duo. The Florentine's Studio Artists are joined by a cast of local talent bringing the mirthful merriment of classic G&S to life in this @ The Center Series concert revue.

Home for the Holidays
Thursday, December 15, 2016 @ 7:30 pm, Friday, December 16, 2016 @ 7:30 pm ,
Saturday, December 17, 2016 @ 7:30 pm
The Florentine Opera Studio Artists provide a prelude to the holidays with a concert of winter tunes and carols, reminding audiences of the joys of this festive time of year.

Florentine By Request
Friday, January 27, 2017 @ 7:30 pm, Saturday, January 28, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
The Florentine Opera Studio Artists provide a concert of operatic and musical theatre favorites selected by Florentine fan surveys.

After Dark
Friday, April 7, 2017 @ 7:30 pm, Saturday, April 8, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
The Florentine Opera Studio Artists return for an @ the Center Season finale with Florentine After Dark. This concert will feature a program of German, French and American cabaret songs both familiar and fresh, in a relaxed atmosphere, expanding the musical horizons for Florentine audiences, both old and new.

All performances are held at the Wayne & Kristine Lueders Florentine Opera Center, 926 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

TICKETS

Marcus Center Mainstage Series single ticket prices begin at just $30 with 'Friday evening' and 'Sunday matinee' season ticket packages from $80-$425. 'Quartets', 'Trios' and 'Duets' are also available. @ The Center tickets will begin at just $20 with subscriptions at just $15 per ticket. New subscription sales begin March 10, 2016 and single ticket sales begin July 11, 2016. For more information on ordering ticket packages visit www.florentineopera.orgor call (414) 291-5700 ext. 224.

Visit florentineopera.org/subscribe or call 1 800 32 OPERA TODAY to reserve your subscription for our Mainstage Series and the next @ THE CENTER Series!

INFORMATION / INTERVIEWS

For additional biographies or to schedule an interview, please contact Richard Clark, Director of Marketing & Communications, by telephone at 414/291.5700 ext 213, or via email at rclark@florentineopera.org.

ABOUT THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY

The Florentine Opera Company's productions reflect the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting community and educational programs. As a leader in Wisconsin's art community and the nation's sixth-oldest opera company, the Florentine Opera seeks to establish a significant presence in the cultural, educational and civic life of the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Audiences enjoy beautiful main stage productions that include first-rate vocal artistry brought to life by established and emerging international, national and local opera stars. With a foundation of fiscal responsibility, the company continues to grow its artistic and educational programs. Through its community engagement and in-school educational programming, the Florentine provides vital arts education experiences for children, nurtures new audiences, and expands cultural horizons for the next generation. The Florentine Opera is a cornerstone member organization of the United Performing Arts Fund and receives funds from Milwaukee County the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support from corporations, foundations and individuals. The Florentine Opera Company is an organizational member of OPERA America.