Ric Furman to Sing Florestan in FIDELIO at Seattle Opera, 10/14

American tenor Ric Furman will sing the role of Florestan in Seattle Opera's production of Beethoven's Fidelio at the matinee performance on Sunday, October 14, 2012, replacing the originally announced singer, Clifton Forbis.

"Florestan is one of the most taxing roles ever written for tenor," says Speight Jenkins, General Director of Seattle Opera. "Ric Furman, originally hired to cover Clifton Forbis, has proven himself up to the challenge, so I have asked him to sing the role at our matinee performance this Sunday."

Recent roles for Furman include Don José in Carmen (Springfield Regional Opera), Tito in Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito (Opera Company of Brooklyn), and Camille in The Merry Widow (Muddy River Opera). A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Western Illinois University, Furman is a former young artist with Cincinnati Opera and Opera Omaha. He sang his first Wagner role in 2010, as Augustin Moser in Cincinnati Opera's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and last year sang a concert of music from Wagner's Ring with Kentucky Symphony Orchestra.

Furman will sing this Sunday opposite soprano Marcy Stonikas, a former Seattle Opera Young Artist who this summer stunned audiences as Princess Turandot. Fidelio also features Greer Grimsley, Arthur Woodley, Anya Matanovi?, and John Tessier. The performance is conducted by Seattle Opera Principal Guest Conductor Asher Fisch and directed by three-time Artist of the Year Award Winner Chris Alexander.
Fidelio Production Sponsor: Ann P. Wyckoff
2012/13 Season Sponsor: Gladys Rubinstein, in memory of Sam Rubinstein
Fidelio premieres Saturday, October 13, and runs through Saturday, October 27. Tickets are available online at seattleopera.org or by calling 206.389.7676 or 800.426.1619. Tickets may also be purchased at the Box Office by visiting 1020 John Street (two blocks west of Fairview), Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25.
Please note the following artist list for Fidelio replaces all previously announced cast lists. Further information on the 2012/13 season and full biographies of the cast members can be found at seattleopera.org.