Opera Season

2011/2012 - A Season of Intrigue and Passion

Giacomo Puccini's TURANDOT

October 15, 2011
ONE NIGHT ONLY!

All men desire her to the point of being willing to die for her--but three riddles stand in the way of their melting her icy heart. Puccini's final masterpiece, the legendary fable of the blood-thirsty princess Turandot, will be presented in a very special semi-staged gala performance. Among its glorious choruses and sumptuous musical treasures is the stunningly beautiful aria "Nessun dorma." Last seen locally in The Flying Dutchman, Lise Lindstrom, now considered "THE Turandot of our time" (Opera News), returns to thrill audiences as she brings to life the role of the icy Chinese Princess.

Giuseppe Verdi's A MASKED BALL (Un Ballo in Maschera)

November 18 & 20, 2011

Giuseppe Verdi--composer of La Traviata and Aida--breathes life into this tragic tale of a mistaken love triangle that turns deadly when a jealous husband misinterprets the relationship between his wife and the King! Our special New Orleans staging of this thrilling story of conspiracy and secrecy reaches its tragic conclusion at a Mardi Gras ball. Verdi's great musical drama features rousing chorus, powerful arias, and thrilling ensembles--everything one expects from one of opera's most brilliant composers.

Richard Strauss' SALOME

March 2 & 4, 2012

The Biblical story of King Herod's obsession with his wildly temperamental step-daughter unfolds before your eyes, especially when the lecherous monarch is forced to grant Salome's special demand for payment for her performance of the famous Dance of the Seven Veils--the head of John the Baptist on a platter! More than a century after its premiere, Richard Strauss' fantastic setting of the celebrated Oscar Wilde play still has the power to both shock and thrill audiences.

Ruggero Leoncavallo's PAGLIACCI and Carl Orff's CARMINA BURANA

April 27 & 29, 2012

This very special double-bill begins with Pagliacci (The Clowns), one of opera's most powerful stories of overwhelming jealousy and its lethal passion, which features the heartbreaking aria "Vesti la giubba." Our special pairing will conclude with Orff's celebration of life--Carmina Burana, featuring the award-winning New Orleans Ballet Theatre (2010 Big Easy awards for "Best Contemporary Choreography" and "Best Classical performance") dancing to this powerfully rhythmic and passionate music. The combined choral forces of the New Orleans Opera Chorus, Loyola University Chorus, and the New Orleans Vocal Arts Chorale (NOVA) will join to make this Carmina Burana unlike any one you have ever seen!

TICKET PURCHASING TIMELINE:

April 11, 2011
Renewal packets will be mailed to current subscribers.

June 1, 2011
New subscriptions go on sale.

August 15, 2011
Single tickets go on sale.