10 Must See Operas For The Fall Season 2019 [North America Edition]

By Francisco Salazar

The 2019-20 season is about to start with numerous new productions, revivals and world premieres.

Like we did with the International houses, OperaWire has selected the 10 Must-See productions that you cannot miss this fall at the North American companies.

10. Frida – Atlanta Opera, Georgia 

Jorge Parodi conducts the popular work by Robert Xavier Rodriguez with Catalina Cuervo, who brings her signature turn to the Atalnta Opera for the first time. She is joined by Riccardo Herrera and Maria Valdes. Jose Maria Condemi directs the production.

Dates: Oct. 5-13, 2019

9. Luisa Miller – Lyric Opera of Chicago, Illinois  

Verdi’s early masterpiece returns to the Chicago stage for the first time in 40 years. The company has lined up a cast that includes Joseph Calleja, Karassimira Stoyanova, and Quinn Kelsey. Enrique Mazzola conducts the work which also stars Christian Van Horn, Alisa Kolosova, and Soloman Howard in his Lyric debut. The production by Francesca Zambello is presented in Chicago for the first time.

Dates: Oct. 12-31, 2019

8. Otello – Washington National Opera, Washington D.C.

David Alden’s production of Verdi’s masterpiece gets a starry cast that is set to include Russell Thomas, Leah Crocetto, and George Gagnidze in his Washington debut. Danielle Callegari conducts the opera, which returns to the Washington stage for the first time in 20 years.

Dates: Oct. 26-Nov. 16, 2019

7. Porgy and Bess – Metropolitan Opera, New York 

Gerswhin’s masterpiece is set to return to the Met for the first time in 30 years. The company has assembled a star cast that includes Angel Blue and Eric Owens in the title roles with Golda Scultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Alfred Walker, and Ryan Speedo Green. James Robinson directs the production with David Robinson conducting.

Dates: Sept. 23-Feb.1, 2019

6. El Barbero de Sevilla – New Camerata Opera, New York 

Gerónimo Giménez and Manuel Nieto’s zarzuela gets a rare performance in New York. The famous work is set to feature a chamber orchestra arrangement by Music Director Pablo Zinger and will be directed by Award-winning director, Rod Gomez.

Dates: Oct. 18-20, 2019

5. The Light in the Piazza – LA Opera, California

Renée Fleming returns to the opera house for a musical performance of Adam Guettel’s beloved musical. The performance is also set to star acclaimed actress Dove Cameron and conducted by Kimberly Grigsby. The production will be directed by Daniel Evans and for those audiences who are not in Los Angeles, the production will travel to the Lyric Opera of Chicago with Fleming.

Dates: Oct. 12-20, 2019

4. The Love for the Three Oranges – Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Prokofiev’s best-known opera makes its company premiere 100 years after having been written. Alessandro Talevi directs the production with Corrado Rovaris conducting. The production will star Wendy Bryn Harmer, Barry Banks, Jonathan Johnson, Zachary James, Zachary Atlman, Brent Michael Smith, Alissa Anderson, and Will Liverman.

Dates: Sept. 20-29, 2019

3 . Maria, Regina D’Inghilterra – Odyssey Opera, Boston 

The Odyssey Opera is set to present Pacini’s rarely performed work in a fully staged production. Gil Rose conducts the Bel Canto masterwork with Amy Shoremount as Queen Mary and rising star Alisa Jordheim as Clotilde Talbot.

Dates: Nov. 1-3, 2019

2. El Milagro del Recuerdo – Houston Grand Opera, Texas 

Javier Martínez and Leonard Foglia’s new opera is set to be a prequel to the mariachi opera “Cruzar la Cara de la Luna.” The new work is set to star Cecilia Duarte, Daniel Noyola, Miguel de Aranda, Vanessa Alonzo, Vanessa Becerra, and Hector Vasquez. David Hanolon conducts Leonard Foglia’s new production.

Dates: Dec. 5-22, 2019

1.  Ali Baba – Opera Southwest, New Mexico 

Ashraf Sewailam, Monica Yunus, Christopher Bozeka, Kevin Thompson, Darren Stokes, and Laurel Semerdjian star in Giovanni Bottesini’s acclaimed work from 1871. This American premiere will see Maestro Anthony Barrese reconstruct the score from the composer’s original manuscript. The work, which premiered to great acclaim in the 19th century, was lost after its premiere has not been heard in over a century.

Dates: Oct. 20-27, 2019

 

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