Florentine Opera’s 2003-04 Season Promises
First Rate Line-up
La Traviata
Tristan und Isolde – a premiere!
Don Pasquale

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN…
The Florentine Opera Company will delight and entertain audiences with three spectacular works planned for their 2003-04 season.

The season opens with the enormously popular La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. The Milwaukee premiere of Richard Wagner’s lush and beautiful Tristan und Isolde, is the second offering of Florentine’s 71st season and, Don Pasquale, the romantic comedy by Gaetano Donizetti provides the upbeat and hilarious season finale.

“This is a season that offers something for everyone…drama, romance, laughter - a musically rich and satisfying experience for those who love opera as well as those who are newcomers to this spectacular, multifaceted art form.” Dennis Hanthorn, General Director.

2003-2004 PRODUCTION INFORMATION

LA TRAVIATA
By Giuseppe Verdi

This extremely popular and lasting work is set in Paris, 1850.  Violetta, a young and beautiful courtesan defies convention by falling in love with the socially respectable Alfredo.  Elaborate period specific costumes and sets framed by Verdi’s richly enduring and beautiful music make this production a welcome season opener.

The Cast
Soprano, Jan Grissom performs the title role of Violetta.  Ms. Grissom is known for her performances with many leading opera companies throughout the United States and Europe, such as the New York Metropolitan Opera, Florida Grand Opera, San Diego Opera, Baltimore Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Portland Opera, Atlanta Opera, as well as the Hamburg Opera.  

The role of Alfredo will be interpreted by tenor Raul Hernandez, a native of Mexico.  Mr. Hernandez has appeared with such opera companies as New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Minnesota Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Edmonton Opera, Opera de Quebec, Opera Lyra Ottawa, and Manitoba Opera.

Interpreting the role of Giorgio will be baritone, Guido LeBron.  A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mr. LeBron has performed throughout the United States and the world.  

Wisconsin native and Metropolitan Opera Artist, Kitt Reuter-Foss, returns to the Florentine stage as Flora.  Last seen in the 2002 production of Der Rosenkavalier, Ms. Reuter-Foss has performed with numerous opera companies across the United States.  

Internationally acclaimed Bernard Uzan, whose work has appeared on prominent opera stages throughout the world, joins the production as Stage Director.  

Principal Conductor, Joseph Rescigno will lead the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, in his 21st season with the company. 

Sets and costumes used for this production are from Montreal.

Florentine’s second season offering is the Florentine premiere of Richard Wagner’s tale, Tristan und Isolde.  Adapted from Irish legend, this love story will captivate audiences.  Stunning costumes and sets, coupled with some of the most beautiful music written in the 19th century promises a spectacular theatre experience.  

The cast
Frances Ginzer, will sing the title role of Isolde.  A native of Canada, the soprano has performed with numerous opera companies throughout the world.  She has become one of the most sought-after leading sopranos in the dramatic repertoire.  Ms. Ginzer was last seen on the Florentine stage in 2000 as Turandot.

Tenor, Gary Bachlund, will perform the title role of Tristan.  Mr. Bachland has received critical and popular acclaim from leading opera companies throughout the world.  He last appeared on the Florentine Stage as Siegmund in Die Walküre, (1993).

Bass-baritone, John Cheek interprets King Marke.  Mr. Cheek made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1977 and has since appeared with nearly all of the major orchestras in North America.  His repertoire includes an astounding variety of oratorios and symphonic works.  Mr. Cheek last performed the role of Figaro in Florentine Opera’s 2001 production of Le Nozze di Figaro.

Mezzo-soprano, Gigi Mitchell-Valesco, will sing the role of Brangäne.  She pursued a career as a professional flautist for eight years before returning to singing upon encouragement from Christa Ludwig, who herself sang the role of Brangäne at Bayreuth.  Ms. Mitchell-Valesco was a finalist in several prestigious vocal competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Rosa Ponselle International Voice Competition, Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, Annamaria Saritelli-diPanni Bel Canto Award, and the Liederkranz Competition for Wagnerian Voices.  

Having performed more than fifty roles with over twenty opera companies, bass-baritone Kristopher Irmiter returns to perform as Kurwenal.  Mr. Irmitter has proven himself to be a performer of note on the American operatic scene. 

Florentine Principal Conductor, Joseph Rescigno will lead the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Nicolette Molnar will make her Florentine debut as Stage Director for this production.  Ms. Molnar was educated at Columbia University and studied directing under
Götz Friedrich in Hamburg, Germany.

For this production Florentine Opera is purchasing the set from Hawaii Opera Theatre.  The sets and costumes are from Malabar. 

Through the spirited tempo of the overture, this lively and entertaining romantic comedy tells the story of Don Pasquale, an aging and wealthy roué who has finally decided to marry…but has no fiancé.

Set in Rome during the early 1800s, Donizetti’s charming comic-opera is the perfect finale to the 71st season.  

The Cast
 
Bass-baritone Peter Strummer will perform the role of Don Pasquale.  As one of America’s foremost character bass-baritones, Mr. Strummer has been hailed by Opera News for his “warm, firm and agile voice.”  Mr. Strummer was last seen in the company’s 2002 production of Der Rosenkavalier.

Metropolitan Opera artist and soprano Anita Johnson will sing the role of Norina.   Ms. Johnson previously appeared with the company as Gilda in Rigoletto, (2003) and as Suzanna in The Marriage of Figaro, (2001).

The role of Ernesto will be sung by tenor Bradley Williams.  Since his professional debut in 1991 with the Metropolitan Opera Guild, also as Ernesto, he has become one of opera’s most sought after tenors in the lyrico-leggiero repertoire.

Baritone Mel Ulrich, who will perform the role of Dr. Malatesta, is best known for his “captivating presence and unrelenting command of the stage.”  He last performed with the company in the 2001 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Francois Loup, singer, actor and stage director will make his professional U.S. debut as Stage Director for this production.  In addition to his work with the Florentine, Mr. Loup has performed in concerts, oratorios and song recitals throughout the world.

Arthur Fagen, respected guest conductor on major opera and concert podiums throughout the world, will lead the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  Mr. Fagen is the General Music Director of the Dortmund Philharmonic in Germany and the Queens Symphony in the United States.

The sets and costumes for this production are from San Francisco Opera.

Florentine Opera, Milwaukee’s Grand Opera Company, celebrates its 71st  Season in 2003-2004.

Florentine Opera Company is supported by funding from the Wisconsin Arts Board, Milwaukee County, the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), and the Milwaukee Florentine Opera Club.

LA TRAVIATA
Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 5:30 p.m.*
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, 2003 at 2:30 p.m.

*Special note: Curtain time for the Saturday, 
November 8, 2003 Gala performance of
La Traviata is 5:30 p.m.

TRISTAN UND ISOLDE
Sunday, February 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. 

DON PASQUALE
Friday, April 30, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 1, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 2, 2004 at 2:30 p.m.

All performances are at The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera’s 2003-2004 season are now available and range from $61-$367.  Season subscribers have three options from which to choose: 
· Friday night series
· Saturday night series 
· Sunday afternoon series
 

Phone: (414) 291-5700 x224
(800) 326-7372 x224
Online: www.florentineopera.org
By Mail: 
Florentine Opera Company 
700 N. Water St., Suite 950
Milwaukee, WI 53202
ATTN: Ticket Administrator
 

Single tickets for all performances will go on sale 
September 14, 2003:
Marcus Center Box Office:  (414) 273-7206
(888) 612-3500
Florentine Opera:   (414) 291-5700 x224 
(800) 326-7372 x224
Online: www.florentineopera.org through ticketmaster.com
Walk-up service: Marcus Center Box Office, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee,