Photo Flash: First Look at WNO's World Premiere of APPOMATTOX

WNO's season continues with the world premiere of the newly revised version of Appomattox, the first opera WNO has presented by the iconic American composer Philip Glass, with a libretto by the Academy Award-winning writer Christopher Hampton, November 14-22 in the Opera House. In the first act, we eavesdrop on history as the Civil War comes to its final resolution at the courthouse in Appomattox. Then, in the newly composed second act, we fast- forward 100 years to the time of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the struggle for civil rights continues. BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

Cast members take on dual roles to tell Glass and Hampton's powerful story. Bass- baritone David Pittsinger (WNO's Florencia in the Amazon and The Magic Flute) is Robert E. Lee and Edgar Ray Killen, baritone Richard Paul Fink is Ulysses S. Grant and Nicholas Katzenbach, and baritone Tom Fox sings the roles of two presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon B. Johnson. Former Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist and rising star bass Soloman Howard is Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while soprano Melody Moore (WNO's Florencia in the Amazon) sings the roles of Julia Grant and Viola Liuzzo and tenor Robert Brubaker is Wilmer McLean and J. Edgar Hoover in his WNO debut.

The brand-new WNO production is directed by Tazewell Thompson and features the set designs of Donald Eastman and costume designs of Merrily Murray-Walsh, all in their WNO debuts. Lighting design is by Robert Wierzel. The WNO Orchestra is led by Dante Santiago Anzolini.

Subscription renewals and new subscriptions to WNO's 2015-2016 season (including Carmen, Appomattox, and Lost in the Stars) are available now. To purchase a subscription, patrons should call the Subscription Office at (202) 416-8500 or go to www.kennedy-center.org/subscriptions. Subscriptions may be purchased in advance of general on-sale dates, which will be announced soon. Groups of 20 or more may contact the Kennedy Center Group Sales office at (202) 416- 8400. WNO's Ring Cycle is available as an optional add-on to a subscription. Ring subscription packages are on sale now to renewing subscribers; to Kennedy Center members on April 6, 2015; and to the general public on April 13, 2015. Single tickets to individual Ring operas, if available, will go on sale in 2016.

Photo Credit: Scott Suchman for WNO