Copyright FG Opera Florida Grand Opera’s highly successful 2011-2012 season closes with a French classic, Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, opening on April 21, 2012. Directed by David Lefkowich, making his FGO main stage debut, this production employs innovative light projection and multi-unit sets to drive the emotion behind the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. Of the many operatic treatments of Shakespeare’s play, Gounod’s has been the most enduring, with its perfect depiction of the unrestrained passion of youth and the bitter tragedy visited on the rival Capulet and Montague families. Lefkowich consulted the libretto, pulling from it fire and water imagery to complement each poignant scene. Inventive projections and a three-unit set designed by Erhard Rom work in tandem to bring these visuals to life on stage. This method of creating a sense of grandeur through simplicity allows the singers and the essence of the work to truly shine.
This exciting production stars French tenor Sébastien Guèze as Roméo. Called “one of the most promising young tenors of his generation” by Opera News, Guèze made his FGO debut in David DiChiera’s Cyrano at the close of the 2010-2011 season. There, he unveiled a new aria for the role of Christian, delivering it with “a real leading man’s voice … [and] a depth and emotional edge that gave the character a redeeming integrity,” according to South Florida Classical Review.
He is joined by the beautiful Mexican soprano María Alejandres as Juliette. Alejandres got her start in 2008, when she won Plácido Domingo’s internationally acclaimed opera and zarzuela competition, Operalia. She made her FGO debut as the lead in Lucia di Lammermoor in 2010 and has since sung the role of Juliette at La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London, and San Antonio Opera, showcasing what the Intermezzo opera blog called a “naturally gorgeous … [and] a big lustrous lyric soprano.”
A former FGO Young Artist, baritone Jonathan Michie returns as Mercutio. Last summer, he performed the role of Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia as a member of San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Opera Program. The San Francisco Chronicle described it as a "true musical and theatrical supernova … a vehicle for both vocal mastery and theatrical panache. His singing was fluid, precise and full of burnished colors, and he brought a seemingly effortless charisma to everything he did." Michie is the 2011-2012 Morgan P. and Evelyn R. Gilbert Artist and his appearance is sponsored by Isabel and Marvin Leibowitz.
Known for his thoughtful and idiomatic interpretations, Joseph Mechavich makes his FGO debut as conductor. His work in Daytona Opera’s L’elisir d’amore is described as having “wrapped the whole performance in a kind of musically magic aura that resulted in one of the very best all-round productions ever…” says Opera News. Most recently, he conducted Calgary Opera’s Moby-Dick with critical acclaim.
SCHEDULE
**Sung in French with English and Spanish projected translations**
MIAMI - Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County / Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House
April 21, 2012, at 7 p.m. – Opening Night;
April 24, 27, May 2 & 5, 2012, at 8:00 p.m.;
April 29, 2012, matinee at 2 p.m.
FORT LAUDERDALE - Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
May 10, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.;
May 12, 2012, at 8 p.m.
ROMÉO ET JULIETTE CAST
Roméo ………………………………………….. Sébastien Guèze
Juliette ………………………………………….. María Alejandres
Mercutio ………………………………………….. Jonathan G. Michie ◊
Friar Laurent ………………………………………….. Craig Colclough ♦
Count Capulet ………………………………………….. Stephen Morscheck
Tybalt ………………………………………….. Daniel Shirley ♦
Duke of Verona ………………………………………….. Joo Won Kang ♦
Stéphano ………………………………………….. CourtneyMcKeown ♦
Gertrude ………………………………………….. Cindy Sadler *
Grégorio ………………………………………….. Ryan Milstead ♦
Count Paris ………………………………………….. Graham Fandrei
Friar Jean ………………………………………….. Graham Fandrei
Conductor ………………………………………….. Joseph Mechavich *
Director ………………………………………….. David Lefkowich
Set & Projection Designer ………………………………………….. Erhard Rom *
Costume Designer ………………………………………….. Jennifer Caprio *
Lighting Designer ………………………………………….. Steve TenEyck *
* = FGO Debut ◊ = Former Young Artist ♦ = Current Young Artist
About Florida Grand Opera
Florida Grand Opera was formed in June 1994 by the merger of Greater Miami Opera, founded in 1941, and The Opera Guild Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1945. Celebrating its 71th year of continuous performances during the 2011-2012 season, Florida Grand Opera stands as one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Florida. In addition to producing standard repertoire, Florida Grand Opera also presents lesser known operas, as well as commissions and produces new operas – all productions featuring projected translations in English and Spanish. Annually, main stage performances are attended by nearly 70,000 people, and education and outreach programs serve over 20,000 members of the community. FGO offers several highly successful outreach and educational programs, including its internationally-recognized Young Artist Studio. Florida Grand Opera, recognized for funding by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding is also provided, in part, by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council. Program support is provided by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council. Florida Grand Opera is a Resident Company of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and a member company of OPERA America.
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