Opera Naples, one of Naples’ leading performing arts organizations, has announced that tickets are on sale for HD Opera Naples, a summer film series of classic European operas. Performances will take place on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from July 6 to October 19, 2022, at the Wang Opera Center. All screenings will start at 3 p.m. Adult tickets are $22; student tickets are $10. To reserve tickets today, contact 239-963-9050 or visit OperaNaples.org.
“Opera Naples is dedicated to bringing opera from around the world to our community,” said Ramón Tebar, Artistic and Music Director of Opera Naples, and recently appointed Cultural Ambassador of Naples. “This series of film screenings of some of the most internationally acclaimed performances of the most popular operas will give our guests a taste of what to expect this season as we continue to expand our diverse artistic offerings. “
HD at Naples Opera is generously underwritten by John and Nicky Pepe and sponsored by YB Productions. “Like so many of our generation, our first exposure to opera came while sitting on our grandparents’ laps as they listened to recordings or broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera,” said said John Pepe. “Since then we have seen opera performances all over the world including La Scala, L’Arena di Verona, New York Metropolitan Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera and many more including, of course , the Naples Opera House. We are delighted to invite all of you to enjoy these performances from famous opera houses around the world as much as we have over the years.”
The films presented for the HD 2022 series at the Naples Opera include:
- July 6: “Madama Butterfly” (Teatro alla Scala) with Maria Jose Siri – Riccardo Chailly masterfully restores Giacomo Pucciniof the two-act version of La Scala, creating a new edition of the original score that offers continuing discoveries in the tragic love story between a young Japanese geisha and an American naval officer. Drawing inspiration from Japanese Kabuki theatre, this magical production strikes the perfect balance between traditional realism and “kitsch orientalism” to present the mood, drama, romance and tragedy of this opera.
- July 20: “Turandot” (Teatro alla Scala) with Nina Stemme – Giacomo Puccini died before completing Turandot, leaving over 30 sketches for the end and a note indicating a proposed dramatic change in the areas of love with the words “and now Tristan”. This version marked the first time the opera was performed in Milan with the finale designed by Luciano Berio, replacing the traditional ending. Berio has worked closely with director Nikolaus Lehnhoff and La Scala music director Riccardo Chailly, with Nina Stemme bringing his powerful, lush voice to the title role.
- August 3: “Ariadne auf Naxos” (Baden Baden Festpielhaus) with Renée Fleming – Shot live in Baden-Baden by veteran director Brian Large, this version features the talented trio Renée Fleming, Sophie Koch and Christian Thielemann. Alongside his captivating castmates, Fleming dazzles in his first role as the rejected “Ariadne,” cementing his one-of-a-kind stage presence. Philippe Arlaud, director and scenographer, emphasizes colors, humor and beautiful scenographies, staging the opera – with a brilliant palette of varied colors and contrasting effects.
- August 17: “Faust” (Teatro Real) with Piotr Beczala – The Teatro Real opened its 2018-19 season with this new production of Charles Gounod“Faust”, inspired by the German legend of a man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge, power, wealth and youth, in a large opera format. Piotr Beczała plays the role of the protagonist, the figure of relentless ambition par excellence, while Marina Rebeka sings the role of Marguerite. Àlex Ollé directs this captivating opera.
- September 7: “Falstaff” (Staatsoper Hamburg) with Ambrogio Maestri – Director Calixto Bieito presents a production full of surprises by Giuseppe Verdifrom the comic opera “Falstaff”, which Bieito reinterprets as an apocalyptic satire on entertainment and the prototype scenario of modern society. The new Hamburg production boasts a world-class cast with Ambrogio Maestri in the title role and Maija Kovalevska as Alice Ford. Bieito’s take on “Falstaff” is black comedy, exposing the tragicomic aspect of human existence.
- September 21: “Der Rosenkavalier” (Festspielhaus Baden-Baden) with Renée Fleming – Soprano Renée Fleming leads “a galactic cast” in this bittersweet comedy about love as Marschallin, using her velvety tones to complement the vocals dynamic and youthful by Sophie Koch as her young lover Octavian. Diana Damrau‘s Sophie enhances the trio’s range with her ethereal highs. Alongside Franz Hawlata as swaggering Baron Ochs and the ever-impressive Franz Grundheber as Faninal, the Baden-Baden production complements its male leads with an international tenor star Jonas Kaufman as an “Italian singer”. Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s masterpiece combines humor with genuine emotion and drama.
- Oct. 5: “Rusalka” (Teatro Real) with Asmik Grigorian and Eric Coutier – The libretto of Antonin Dvořak’s best-known opera is inspired by the Czech version of the Central European folk tale, Ondine (1811) or The Little Mermaid (1837). The original story is perfectly translated into a musical score full of color and magic, masterfully directed by Ivor Bolton, while Christof Loy’s direction and Johannes Leiacker’s scenography perfectly complement Klevis’ masterful choreography. Elmazaj. Mesmerizing Asmik Grigorian brings vibrant life to the title role as Eric Coutier and Karita Mattila Smoothly step into the royal characters of prince and princess.
- Oct. 19: “Elektra” (Salzburg Festival) with Aušriné Stundyté, Asmik Grigorian and Tanja Ariane Baumgartner – In its 100th anniversary edition, the Salzburg Festival celebrates a real triumph with a breathtaking new production of “Elektra”, the one of the most famous masterpieces in the history of opera, by the two founders of the festival Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal. Lithuanian soprano Aušriné Stundyté as the vengeful and traumatized Elektra turns the festival opener into a breathtaking performance, while Asmik Grigorian leads the audience into a spell as his sister Chrysotemis. Tanja Ariane Baumgartner as Klytämnestra, Derek Welton as Orest and Michael Laurenz as Ägisth round out a top-notch vocal ensemble. Krzysztof Warlikowski’s staging of this work of matricide, obsession, revenge and physical degradation is a profound psychological study of a broken family. Franz Welser-Möst brings his signature flair to the pit where the brilliantly effervescent Wiener Philharmoniker creates gloriously exultant Strauss moments.
Dedicated to presenting high-quality opera and concert productions featuring internationally acclaimed performers and directors, Opera Naples in Naples, Florida is an artistic powerhouse. Since its creation, the company has presented great operas as well known as “La bohème”, “Carmen”, “Faust”, “La Traviata”, “Madama Butterfly”, “Rigoletto”, “Tosca”, etc. community service and educational outreach, Opera Naples has introduced opera to more than 60,000 children since its inception through its various programs, including Lee and Collier County School Programs and Performances, the Artist Program residents and the summer youth program. nurturing the region’s promising young talent through the Naples Opera Academy led by a faculty of revered opera luminaries who offer an immersive program of vocal instruction, lectures and masterclasses. The company has won support from local, regional and state government.
For more information, visit OperaNaples.org or contact [email protected].
Comments are closed.