Washington National Opera Presents HAMLET 5/19-6/4

Washington National Opera (WNO), under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, presents the company premiere of Ambroise Thomas' rarely performed masterpiece Hamlet in seven performances, May 19 to June 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. Based on the Shakespearean tragedy of the same name, this final production of WNO's 2009-10 season boasts an internationally acclaimed cast, and is conducted by Maestro Domingo and Patrick Fournillier. The production, by award-winning American director and designer Thaddeus Strassberger in his WNO debut, is set in a stark totalitarian regime, rife with psychological drama that marks Hamlet as one of Shakespeare's greatest works. Hamlet is performed in French with English supertitles. See attached for production information, casting performance dates and ticketing information. 

With an internationally acclaimed cast, Hamlet features American baritones Liam Bonner (WNO debut) and Michael Chioldi in the title role of the tragic hero, and German soprano Diana Damrau (WNO debut) as Hamlet's heartbroken lover Ophelia. American bass-baritone Samuel Ramey sings the role of Hamlet's uncle, King Claudius, and is joined by American mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Bishop as Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude. Canadian tenor John Tessier sings the role of Ophelia's brother Laërtes. Cast change notes: Spanish baritone Carlos Álvarez, originally scheduled to sing the role of Hamlet, has withdrawn from all performances; Mr. Bonner and Mr. Chioldi share the role, and their dates will be announced. Additionally, Maestro Domingo (May 22, 24, June 1 and 4), previously announced as the conductor for all performances, will share conducting duties with Patrick Fournillier (May 19, 27 and 30m).

In Shakespeare's classic tragedy, the Danish prince Hamlet vows to avenge his father's death after learning of his uncle Claudius' murderous plot to usurp the throne. Hamlet's intense focus on revenge and his suspicion of all those around him leads his lover, Ophelia, to madness. Guided by his father's ghost, Hamlet's quest to recapture the crown ends in misfortune rather than retribution. Carré and Barbier's libretto, coupled with Thomas' unique musical insight, combine in a dazzling opera with hauntingly beautiful music, such as Ophelia's well known mad scene "Et maintenant ecoutez ma chanson." Featuring powerful scene-painting, soaring arias and adventurous orchestration, Thomas' Hamlet captivates with as much passion and drama as Shakespeare's original.

Winner of the European Opera Directing Prize (2005), American director and designer Thaddeus Strassberger sets this production of Hamlet in a totalitarian regime, which though timeless, is reminiscent of the 1950s Cold War era. Hailed as "virtuosic in its visual concept and its dramatic impact" (Kansas City Star), the production, according to Strassberger:

...centers on Hamlet's-and our own-inability to know clearly who is a ‘liberal' and who is a ‘conservative' and what that brings to bear on the world. Was Hamlet's father a totalitarian monster who had to be brought down at any cost, or rather, a visionary thoughtfully leading his people to a future filled with prosperity and peace? Is his successor Claudius a liberator or a tyrannical war criminal? ...Trapped not only by the forces around him but also by his own ambivalent reaction to them, Hamlet becomes the eye of an increasingly violent storm icily swirling around him.

With this concept informing design choices, Strassberger also created the sets for this production, originally from Lyric Opera of Kansas City and updated for these WNO performances. Joining him on the production team are Costume Designer Mary Traylor and Lighting Designer Mark McCullough.

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