OperaDelaware Julie W. Van Blarcom, Executive Director Leland P. Kimball III, General Director Telephone: (302) 658-8063 Fax: (302) 658-4991 Box Office: The Grand Opera House, 1-800-37-GRAND www.operadel.org OPERADELAWARE UNVEILS AN EXCITING AND EXPANDED NEW SEASON For Immediate Release – July 13, 2001 Contact: Amy Watson or Julie W. Van Blarcom Wilmington, DE: OperaDelaware concluded its season with the critically acclaimed The Tales of Hoffmann. The 2001-2002 season, which begins next October, continues the excitement with the promise of the same high level of vocal and dramatic performances that are becoming an OperaDelaware hallmark. "Expanding the quality and quantity of OperaDelaware’s repertoire these past four years resulted in a dramatic increase in season subscriptions," according to Executive Director, Julie Van Blarcom. "Consequently, for the 2001-2002 Season we are adding an operetta, a major choral event, two guest touring companies and a children’s opera festival. These additions, along with our regular two main stage productions, mean we will be offering eight productions to Wilmington audiences." "The traditional opera productions will continue to dazzle," according to Leland P. Kimball III, General Director. Musing on the creative challenge presented by the entire season and in particular the opener Otello, he went on to say, "Otello will be a milestone in OperaDelaware’s history. A superb cast and talented directors and designers will celebrate Verdi during his centennial year. We are also pleased to be one of the first to present additional performances of our Family Opera Theater production at the new Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts in Dover." "Managed growth is the key to the expanded season in 2001-2002," according to the Company’s new board President, John W. Rollins III. "We have been carefully expanding our programming these past five years, which have also been the most successful financially and artistically. We are pleased to be able to meet the growing interest in opera." 2001-2002 SEASON Otello The season opens October 27 with the first of two OperaDelaware subscription productions, with additional performances November 1, 3 & 4. Based on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Othello, The Moor of Venice, Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello is filled with luscious melodies of love and sorrow. First performed in Milan, Italy in 1887, this dramatic opera was Verdi’s last tragedy and is considered one of his finest operas. The performance will be conducted by Verdi scholar David Lawton and directed by Stephanie Sundine. The Barber of Seville May brings the second subscription production conducted by Francis Graffeo and directed by John Lehmeyer, with music by Gioachino Rossini. A nonstop, slapstick opera buffa in two acts, The Barber of Seville is filled with so many winks to the audience you have to see it to appreciate it. Performances are May 4, 9, 11 & 12. Both operas are presented in Italian with English supertitles. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Leland Kimball will direct The OperaDelaware Family Opera Theater’s world premiere production of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by Evelyn Swensson, who will also conduct. Based on the book by E.L. Konigsburg, this is the humorous and touching story of two Greenwich, Connecticut children who decide to run away from home and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They stash their clothes in their music cases, bathe in the Museum’s fountain to collect money, and eat food from the vending machines. The two siblings stumble upon a mystery that leads them to discover the answer in the files of the statue’s eclectic patron, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. This opera will be performed May 2 & 3 at the Grand Opera House and on March 8 at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts in Dover. H.M.S. Pinafore Two special events will be co-produced by OperaDelaware with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and the Grand Opera House. The first is Gilbert & Sullivan’s popular operetta, H.M.S. Pinafore on April 18 & 20. This bright shipboard comedy, conducted by Stephen Gunzenhauser and directed by Bill Fabris, with its catchy tunes and witty dialogue, is a delightful concoction of many different musical styles, including traditional forms of opera, opera buffa, and such traditional English musical forms as the sailors’ shanty and hornpipe dance. Morgan State University Choir Delaware Symphony, The Grand Opera House, MBNA Education Foundation, Morgan State Alumni, Delaware Chapter, Wilmington Metropolitan Urban League and OperaDelaware are pleased to co-present the world renowned Morgan State University Choir on February 20 in a "Black History Month" celebration. Il Trovatore Two internationally-renowned guest touring companies will grace the Grand Opera House stage this season. Teatro Lirico D’Europa will present Il Trovatore on February 13. This opera has so many twists and turns you will want to wear your seatbelt. Newcomers to opera will recognize many of the songs from Il Trovatore, and opera buffs will want to see Teatro Lirico d’Europa’s engaging production. The Merry Widow January 27, the London City Opera presents a single performance in English with music by Franz Lehar. Often called "The Queen of Operettas," The Merry Widow is one of the most celebrated and successful shows of its kind ever written. The melodies and songs – "Vilia," "The Merry Widow Waltz," and "You’ll Find Me at Maxim’s" – are played and sung the whole world over, making it one of the most loved operettas of all time. Children’s Opera Festival The final highlight of the new season is the partnership with Opera for Youth, a national organization devoted to encouraging the creation and performance of operas in theatres, opera companies, and schools. On March 2 & 3, OperaDelaware will present a children’s opera festival with works for children from other nationally acclaimed opera companies, and will include numerous activities for children, including puppets, jugglers, games, mask-making and costume photos. Tickets The 57th Season subscription tickets range from $19.00 to $53.00, and guarantee the same seats going forward. Individual tickets range from $19.00 to $64.00. To order, call the Grand Opera House Box Office at (302) 652-5577 or 800-37-GRAND. Orders will also be accepted online at www.operadel.org.