Seattle Opera Announces 2017-18 Season As Art Meets Real-Life In ‘Cosi Fan Tutte,’ ‘Beatrice & Benedict’
By Francisco SalazarThe Seattle Opera has announced it 2017-18 season featuring five operas, two of which will see art and real-life come together as one.
The season opens August 5 with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” starring Lianna Haroutounian and Alexia Voulgaridou alternating the title role of Cio-Cio San. Alexey Dolgov and Dominik Chenes will sing the role of Pinkerton while Weston Hurt will sing the role of Sharpless.
The production will be followed by Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.” The classic comedy opens on Oct. 14 starring Seattle debutante Sophia Fomina in the role of Rosina. Matthew Grills will also make his Seattle debut in the tole of Count Almaviva and will alternate with Andrew Owens. John Moore and Will Liverman will alternate the role of the Barber Figaro. Giacomo Safripanti will conduct the run.
On Jan. 13, 2018 Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte” will be a family affair with real-life sisters Marina Costa Jackson and Ginger Costa Jackson in the roles of the siblings Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Ben Bliss will sing the role of Ferrando while Craig Verm will sing Gugliemo. Paul Daniel will make his Seattle debut as he conducts the revival.
Berlioz’s “Beatrice and Benedict” will open on Feb. 24, 2018 with yet another group of family members leading the way. Alek Shrader will take on the role of Benedict and his wife Daniela Mack will play Beatrice. They will alternate with Hanna Hip and Andrew Owens. John Langs will direct the new production, which will also mark his Seattle debut and Ludovic Morlot will make his Seattle Debut conducting the orchestra.
The season concludes with Verdi’s “Aida” which opens on May 5, 2018. Both Leah Crocetto and Brian Jagde will make their Seattle debuts and will reunite after their successful “Aida” at the San Francisco Opera. The production by Francesca Zambello will be conducted by John Fiore. Alexandra LoBianco and David Pomeroy will alternate with Crocetto and Jagde.
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