Opera Grand Rapids Presents ROMEO AND JULIET

You know the romantic story of the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, but have you seen the beautiful operatic adaption by French composer Charles Gounod? Presenting swoon-worth duets, elaborate staging, and an all-star cast, Opera Grand Rapids' production of "Romeo and Juliet" April 29 and 30 comes just in time to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death.

A recent recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Giulio Gari Foundation, distinguished Director Bernard Uzan leads the production alongside rising Italian prodigal Maestro Leonardo Vordoni, returning to the Opera Grand Rapids' stage for his second production.

Uzan, who has been involved with over 400 productions throughout his extensive career, is proud of the cast chosen for Opera Grand Rapids' production.

"The singers are really wonderful. They sing extremely well, and they act the part very well," said Uzan. "So many operas these days are really ridiculous. This is well-acted, well-sung, and you don't ask questions about what something means-it's real!"

Sarah Joy Miller, widely acknowledged as one of the industry's foremost emerging talents, and Jonathan Boyd, hailed as a "versatile lyric singer with a great future" by Opera News, star as Romeo and Juliet alongside an equally outstanding supporting cast.

A giant collaborative effort between Opera Carolina, Virginia Opera, Toledo Opera, Lyric Opera Baltimore, and Opera Grand Rapids, West Michigan audiences can expect a grandiose presentation. Of Virginia Opera's performance, The Washington Post boasted "It was the electricity and the energy of the acting, beautifully conceived sets and imaginative stage business that made for such a fine production."

Unique to Opera Grand Rapids' production is Sarah Joy Miller starring in the lead role. Praised by The New York Times as "vivacious and fearless," Miller recently released her debut album of arias titled "A Glorious Dream." Alongside Opera Grand Rapids' principal cast of 12 will be the Grand Rapids Symphony and Opera Grand Chorus of more than 30 vocalists.

Tickets for Opera Grand Rapids' 2016 season April 8-June 12, including "Romeo and Juliet," are available through Ticketmaster and the Opera Grand Rapids Box Office, (616) 451-2741 or 1320 East Fulton Street. For additional details, including cast lists and production synopses, visit operagr.org.

Photo Courtesy of Opera Grand Rapids.