The Atlanta Opera has announced its 2018-19 season, which the company is presenting as its most exciting season to date.

“Our 2018-19 season is programmed for avid opera lovers and new audiences alike. This will be our most popular season ever starting with our celebration of Bernstein and his seminal ‘West Side Story,’ and closing with a triumphant presentation of Verdi’s masterwork, ‘La Traviata,’” said Tomer Zvulun, General and Artistic Director. “This ‘mega-season’ includes a new American classic in ‘Dead Man Walking,’ and a beautiful new production of ‘Eugene Onegin.’ Our Discoveries season is the most diverse ever with jazz and tango operas at the sexy Le Maison Rouge. We are presenting operatic works at the highest artistic level, many of which have never been seen in Atlanta. This is an epic season of rousing and beautiful opera.”

Mainstage 

The season opens on Nov. 3 with Bernstein’s masterpiece “West Side Story.” Francesca Zambello, General and Artistic Director of Glimmerglass Festival, who created this production with Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Chicago Lyric Opera, will direct the production in her debut with the company. Vanessa Becerra will star as Maria.

Performance Dates: Nov. 3-11, 2018

The company will also present the Atlanta premiere of “Dead Man Walking,” the most frequently performed new American opera of the century.  Jamie Barton will make her role debut as Sister Prejean with Michael Mayes as his signature De Rocher. Karen Slack will sing the role of Sister Rose and Maria Zifchak will sing the role of Mrs. Zvulun will direct the production he directed in New Orleans.

Performance Dates: Feb. 2-10, 2019 

“Eugene Onegin” returns to the stage in a co-production with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Seattle Opera, and Michigan Opera Theatre which will be directed by Zvulun. David Adam Moore will sing the title role of Eugene Onegin with Raquel Gonzalez in the role of Tatyana. William Burden will sing the role of Lenski and Stephen Lord will conduct.

Performance Dates: March 2-10, 2019 

The season concludes with Verdi’s “La Traviata,” starring Czech soprano Zuzana Markova in her US debut and Mario Chang as Alfredo. Fabian Veloz rounds out the cast as Germont with Arthur Fagen conducting.

Performance Dates: April 27-May 5, 2019

The Discoveries

In its fifth season, the discoveries series will open with the southern premiere of “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird.” The jazz opera, composed by Daniel Schnyder will be directed by Omer Ben Seadia and conducted by Clinton Smith.

Performance Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 7, 2018

In March, Astor Piazzolla’s “Maria de Buenos Aires” returns in Zvulun’s production. Jorge Parodi will return to conduct.

Performance Dates: March 28-April 7, 2019