Lee Blakeley

Music Director James Conlon To Depart LA Opera After 20 Years; 40th Anniversary Season Lineup Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2025

LA Opera has announced details for the company's 40th anniversary season, which will launch on September 20, 2025. In his 20th season with the company—his final season as Music Director before becoming Conductor Laureate—James Conlon will conduct three of the five mainstage productions, with other mainstage performances led by Resident Conductor Lina González-Granados and by guest conductor Dalia Stasevska.

Opera San José Launches Season With All-New ROMEO & JULIET
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 5, 2023

Opera San José will launch its 40th anniversary season with an all-new production of Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet, directed by OSJ General Director/CEO Shawna Lucey, in her first production since taking the helm of the company. Romeo and Juliet follows on the heels of Lucey's critically acclaimed La Traviata for San Francisco Opera, which is scheduled to be remounted at Los Angeles Opera this fall.

Opera San José Unveils 2022-23 Season Under New General Director Shawna Lucey
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2022

Opera San José supporters gathered virtually tonight to welcome new General Director Shawna Lucey and hear her unveil plans for the company's 2022–23 season, a joyful lineup that offers audiences a renewed chance to gather and celebrate live performances.

Opera San José Announces New General Director, Shawna Lucey
by Stephi Wild - Dec 8, 2021

Lucey, who will officially join Opera San José in January 2022, brings both a wealth of opera experience and an exciting artistic vision to the Northern California-based company which has captured a national reputation for its development of opera talent through its residency program, as well as international acclaim for its inventive digital offerings.

BWW Review: MADAMA BUTTERFLY at Santa Fe Opera
by Maria Nockin - Jul 1, 2018

On June 30, 2018, Santa Fe Opera continued the season begun the night before with a revival of the 1904 Brescia Version of Giacomo Puccini's tragic MADAMA BUTTERFLY. The late Lee Blakeley put together the original 2010 production with simple visual lines and a bold structure. Eight years later, Matthew Ozawa restated it poetically for a new audience.

Renée Fleming, World Premieres, And More Set For Santa Fe Opera 2019 Season
by Alan Henry - May 9, 2018

Santa Fe Opera's General Director Charles MacKay and General Director Designate Robert Meya announced today the repertory, principal singers, conductors, directors, and designers for the company's 63rd season in 2019, along with updates to the 2018 season, which opens June 29. Joining MacKay and Meya were Santa Fe Opera Board of Directors President Susan G. Marineau, and Director of Education and Community Programs Andrea Fellows Walters.

The Dallas Opera Announces 62nd International Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 26, 2018

The Dallas Opera is proud to announce its spectacular 2018-2019 Season, "Swept Away," consisting of five captivating mainstage productions, including a passionate Puccini pairing during the month of March, designed to melt the last blast of winter, followed by the company's first-ever Falstaff.

Director Lee Blakeley Passes Away Age 45
by Julie Musbach - Aug 7, 2017

Lee Blakeley, director of opera, musical theatre and theatre has died at the age of 45 of a heart attack. Lee was born in Yorkshire and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and at the University of Glasgow, graduating with the prize for directing.

Opera Saratoga Sets 2016 Summer Festival Program
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 7, 2016

Lawrence Edelson, Artistic and General Director of Opera Saratoga, announced the program for the 2016 Summer Festival, which will run from May 28 through July 17, 2016. The season will feature three new productions at The Spa Little Theater in Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, New York, along with a diverse slate of recitals and concerts at multiple locations in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, and Albany.

BWW Review: It's a Pleasure Getting to Know Lyric Opera's THE KING AND I
by Rachel Weinberg - May 2, 2016

Under the direction of Lee Blakeley at Lyric Opera (who originally staged this production for Paris's Theatre du Chatelet in 2014), Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical THE KING AND I is heightened to the lavish and beautiful spectacle it deserves. This story of British school teacher Anna Leonowens who arrives in Siam to instruct the many children of the King has moments of sweeping grandiosity but also many of emotional intimacy-the Lyric's production makes the full emotional arc a delight to watch. Visually, the creative team captures every inch of the musical's opulence. Sue Blane's costume designs are breathtakingly elaborate and incorporate an inspiring display of color; Anna's magnificent hoop skirts are definitely a highlight. Jean-March Puissant's set design also captures the grandiosity of a royal palace with many intricate details, while also giving the performers the space they need to execute Peggy Hickey's choreography, and Rick Fisher's lighting adds to the decadent atmosphere.

Photo Flash: First Look at Kate Baldwin, Paolo Montalban & More in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE KING AND I
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 29, 2016

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway starsKate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Lyric Opera's The King and I runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30), with 25 performances at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $29 and are available at lyricopera.org/king or at 312-827-5600. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE KING AND I to Feature Audio Broadcast, 5/1
by Christina Mancuso - Apr 29, 2016

Audio of a performance of the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 'The King and I', starring Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban, will be broadcast on WFMT on Sunday 1 May, 7:00pm (CDT). Listen online here: http://www.wfmt.com/listen/

STAGE TUBE: 'Getting to Know' the Cast of Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE KING AND I
by Christina Mancuso - Apr 27, 2016

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwinand Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Additional Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome) and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang) join the cast, along with Sam Simahk (Lun Tha) and Chicagoland artists Charlie Babbo (Louis Leonowens), Jomar Ferreras (Interpreter), John Lister(Captain Orton), David Parkes (Sir Edward Ramsay), Peter Sipla (Phra Alack) and Matthew Uzarraga (Prince Chulalongkorn). All but Lister make their Lyric debuts with The King and I.  In the video, cast members talk about the show.  Check it out below!

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Kate Baldwin, Paolo Montalban and More for THE KING AND I at the Lyric
by BWW News Desk - Apr 21, 2016

Lyric Opera of Chicago released today new behind-the-scenes rehearsal images from its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. The production runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30) at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Chicagoland Kids to Join Kate Baldwin & Paolo Montalban in Lyric Opera's THE KING AND I
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 4, 2016

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today an all-Chicagoland children's ensemble for its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam.

LA Opera Opens MADAME BUTTERFLY Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 12, 2016

LA Opera's 30th Anniversary Season continues with Giacomo Puccini's beloved Madame Butterfly, starring soprano Ana María Martínez as Cio-Cio-San.

Photo Flash: Getting to Know Them - First Look at Kate Baldwin & Paolo Montalban in Lyric Opera's THE KING AND I
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 7, 2016

Lyric Opera of Chicago's grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam, runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30) at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Check out a first look at the pair in costume below!

Three New Productions Slated for Opera Saratoga's 2016 Summer Festival
by BWW News Desk - Feb 24, 2016

Lawrence Edelson, Artistic and General Director of Opera Saratoga, announced the program for the 2016 Summer Festival, which will run from May 28th through July 17, 2016.

LA Opera to Present MADAME BUTTERFLY, 3/12
by Matt Smith - Feb 23, 2016

(Los Angeles) February 22, 2016 — LA Opera's 30th Anniversary Season continues with Giacomo Puccini's beloved Madame Butterfly, starring soprano Ana María Martínez as Cio-Cio-San.

Broadway, Chicago Stars Round Out Principal Cast of Lyric Opera's THE KING AND I
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 11, 2016

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today casting for the remaining principal roles in its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Additional Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome) and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang) join the cast, along with Sam Simahk (Lun Tha) and Chicagoland artists Charlie Babbo (Louis Leonowens), Jomar Ferreras (Interpreter), John Lister (Captain Orton), David Parkes (Sir Edward Ramsay), Peter Sipla (Phra Alack) and Matthew Uzarraga (Prince Chulalongkorn). All but Lister make their Lyric debuts with The King and I.