Season Brochure - Opera San Jose

2016-17 Season
GAETANO DONIZETTI’S
GIOACHINO ROSSINI’S
KEVIN PUTS &
GIACOMO PUCCINI’S
Lucia di
Lammermoor
The Barber
of Seville
MARK CAMPBELL’S
La Bohème
Silent Night
SAVE up to 55% on the full season!
SEE PAGE 14
Welcome
2016-17 Season
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LARRY HANCOCK
General Director
Conductors &
Stage Directors
JOSEPH MARCHESO
Music Director
W
e are proud to be producing the West Coast premiere of Kevin Puts
and Mark Campbell’s Silent Night. Though this Pulitzer Prize-winning opera is
set in muddy trenches, it is not a story of brutality, rather, it is the very illustration
of the goodness that human beings are capable of, even under the most grinding
conditions. An instant classic, it is among the most inspiring operas in the repertoire.
In this production of The Barber of Seville, we are excited to introduce the brilliant,
young Mexican mezzo-soprano, Cassandra Zoe Velasco! With her rich, powerful,
and flexible voice, she has been starring in opera productions at the Bellas Artes
in Mexico City for the past three years, where she sang her first Rosina. Already
having her Met debut, she will sing her first Rosina in the United States with us.
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Supertitles at
Every Performance
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GAETANO DONIZETTI’S
Lucia di
Lammermoor
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GIOACHINO ROSSINI’S
The Barber
of Seville
The towering masterpiece that is Lucia di Lammermoor is quintessentially Italian
in its ardor, brilliance, and dramatic intensity. We thought it would be a perfect
season opener, as it will feature the resident company in roles that will showcase
the best of their talents.
Your Subscriber
Advantages
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KEVIN PUTS & MARK CAMPBELL’S
LARRY HANCOCK, GENERAL DIRECTOR
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Enrich Your
Experience
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And the season will close with youth. When love is everything. When friends are
the whole world. When all setbacks are temporary. When life holds every promise
of happiness, success, and intimacy. When real loss is inconceivable…until it is
unavoidable, with La bohème.
Please join us for a series of wonderfully engaging works of art. They will be lovingly
produced and performed by inspired singers and conductors, and beautifully
staged by committed directors and designers who love these stories and this art
form. I can hardly wait to see these productions in the theatre, and I hope I will
see you there to enjoy them with me.
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Silent Night
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Seating &
Ticket Options
GIACOMO PUCCINI’S
La Bohème
3
SEP
NOV
10
12
11
13
15
17
18
20
23
22
25
27
2016
2016
Lucia di
Lammermoor
The Barber
of Seville
Donizetti drew inspiration for his opera from Sir Walter
Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor. The story revolves
around a feud between two families, the Ashtons and
the Ravenswoods. Lucia Ashton Loves Edgar, master
of Ravenswood, whose lands her family has taken by
force. When Lucia’s brother, out of political necessity,
forces her into an arranged marriage, there are dire
consequences. Donizetti expertly combined the
epic story of Lucia with some of the most wonderful
melodies from his pen and the most affecting mad
scene in theatre. SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES.
Rossini’s opera recounts the events of the first of the
three plays by French playwright Pierre Beaumarchais
that revolve around the clever and enterprising
character, Figaro. Determined to win the heart of the
beautiful Rosina with charm and wit, rather than money,
Count Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro, the barber of
Seville, to steal her away from her guardian, Dr. Bartolo.
The Barber of Seville is fast and furious fun, full of
effervescent music and never-ending wit. It made
Rossini world famous and has become the most
popular comic opera of all time. SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH
BY GAETANO DONIZETTI
GAETANO DONIZETTI
Composer
SALVADORE CAMMARANO
Librettist
MING LUKE
Conductor
CANDACE EVANS
Stage Director
BY GIOACHINO ROSSINI
GIOACHINO ROSSINI
Composer
CESARE STERBINI
Librettist
ANDREW WHITFIELD
Conductor
LAYNA CHIANAKAS
Stage Director
ENGLISH SUPERTITLES.
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5
FEB
APR
11
15
12
16
16
20
19
23
24
28
26
30
2017
2017
Silent Night
La Bohème
Puts’ Silent Night recounts a miraculous moment of
peace during one of the deadliest wars in history. On
the western front, bloodied from battle and mourning
their dead, weapons are laid down when three Scottish,
French and German officers negotiate a Christmas Eve
truce amid the trenches. As evening sets in, a carol
begins, floating softly over no man’s land. One voice
becomes many, and as enemies lay down their arms
to celebrate a precious night of peace and hope, they
come together to share Christmas. SUNG, AT VARIOUS
This is the magic of the Parisian Latin Quarter and
Giacomo Puccini’s unmatched ability to capture love’s
passion and hope. This is the story of Mimi who spends
her days embroidering and her nights longing for
springtime. Literally in search of light, a match for her
only candle, she instead finds happiness and friendship
with a band of young bohemians—a handsome poet,
a philosopher, a painter, a musician, and a good-time
girl. Briefly, Mimi and Rodolfo make a place of love for
themselves, until poverty prevails. Based on the lives of
bohemians, including Puccini himself, La bohème rings
true. SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SUPERTITLES.
BY KEVIN PUTS & MARK CAMPBELL
TIMES, IN ENGLISH, GERMAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN AND LATIN WITH
ENGLISH SUPERTITLES.
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KEVIN PUTS
Composer
MARK CAMPBELL
Librettist
JOSEPH MARCHESO
Conductor
MICHAEL SHELL
Stage Director
BY GIACOMO PUCCINI
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Composer
GIUSEPPE GIACOSA
LUIGI ILLICA
Librettists
JOSEPH MARCHESO
Conductor
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Conductors & Stage Directors
Supertitles at Every Performance
Lucia di Lammermoor
MING LUKE Conductor
Opera San José: Carmen, The Italian Girl in Algiers, Falstaff, La voix humaine, Pagliacci,
The Barber of Seville, Eugene Onegin; Symphony Napa Valley; Kennedy Center Opera
Orchestra; Birmingham Royal; Bolshoi Orchestra; San Francisco Ballet; Godoll Symphony
Orchestra; Sacramento Opera; Napa Regional Dance Company; Sacramento Philharmonic
CANDACE EVANS Stage Director
Opera San Antonio; Dallas Opera; Fort Worth Opera Festival; Opera Southwest; Madison
Opera; Santa Fe Opera; Palm Beach Opera; North Carolina Opera; Arizona Opera;
Indianapolis Opera; Florentine Opera; Trained as an opera singer, danced with the
Wisconsin Ballet Company, and toured the world as a stage actor
The Barber of Seville
ANDREW WHITFIELD Conductor
Opera San José: Hansel & Gretel, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, Il trovatore,
Die Fledermaus, The Pearl Fishers, Idomeneo, La voix humaine, Pagliacci; Amato Opera,
conducting over 190 performances; Amore Opera; Monterey Opera; San Francisco Opera;
Festival Opera
LAYNA CHIANAKAS Stage Director
PAT KIRK
Opera San José: Carmen, La voix humaine, Hansel and Gretel, Mozart Magic; San Jose
State Opera Theatre; Opera Roles: Dayton Opera, Sarasota Opera, Cleveland Opera,
Intermountain Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera San Jose, Nevada Opera, Sacramento Opera,
Opera Santa Barbara, Des Moines Metro Opera, Virginia Opera
Silent Night
JOSEPH MARCHESO Conductor
Music Director and Principal Conductor of Opera San José: Tosca, Rigoletto, Where Angels
Fear to Tread, Hansel and Gretel, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, La traviata, Faust, La bohéme,
La Cenerentola, Manon, Carmen, The Elixir of Love, Lucia di Lammermoor; San Francisco
Opera; Opera Theater of St. Louis; Festival Opera; San Francisco Conservatory of Music
MICHAEL SHELL Stage Director
Opera San José: The Italian Girl in Algiers; Western Plains Opera; The Santa Fe Opera; Michigan
Opera Theater; Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; Pittsburg Opera; Atlanta Opera; Opera Tampa;
Virginia Opera; Opera North; Piedmont Opera; Opera Theatre of the Rockies; Central City
Opera; Opera Institute; Opera Omaha; Opera Tampa; Opera Company of the Highlands
La Bohème
JOSEPH MARCHESO Conductor
Music Director and Principal Conductor of Opera San José: Tosca, Rigoletto, Where Angels
Fear to Tread, Hansel and Gretel, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, La traviata, Faust, La bohéme,
La Cenerentola, Manon, Carmen, The Elixir of Love, Lucia di Lammermoor; San Francisco
Opera; Opera Theater of St. Louis; Festival Opera; San Francisco Conservatory of Music
“We love Opera San José and especially appreciate the supertitles. When we
come to performances here, we really understand what is going on. And, of course,
the quality of the performers and music add to the wonderful experience.”
CLINTON & MARY GILLALAND
Patrons
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Enrich Your Experience
General Director’s Dinner
Free Previews
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017 / 7PM
THE CALIFORNIA THEATRE
AUGUST 30, 2016
Join General Director Larry Hancock for
our annual black-tie evening on the stage
of the California Theatre. This year’s
celebration, on the set of Silent Night
with the artistic team and cast members
present, is your chance for a true
insider’s opera experience and to toast,
with new friends and old, composer
Kevin Puts and Librettist Mark Campbell.
Tickets: $500. Call 408.437.4450.
Lucia di Lammermoor
The Barber of Seville
JANUARY 31, 2017 Silent Night
APRIL 4, 2017 La Bohème
NOVEMBER 1, 2016
Opera San José will host FREE previews
of each opera production at the Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Library in downtown
San Jose from noon to 1:00 pm at the
Fifth Floor Beethoven Center, on the
Tuesday, one week prior to the opening
of each opera.
Hukilau
Introduction to Opera
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017 / 5PM
LOCATION TBA
PRIOR TO EVERY PERFORMANCE
In anticipation of next season’s production
of South Pacific, plan on joining us for
a fun and casual hukilau, right here
in San Jose! Hula dancing, poo poos,
prizes for the best lei and outstanding
performances from our resident singers
are just some of the elements we have
planned for this Hawaiian themed party.
Tickets: $160. Call 408.437.4450.
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Before each performance in the California
Theatre, General Director Larry Hancock
will share his thoughts on the opera,
discuss the plot, characters, the composer,
and answer your questions, greatly
enriching your opera experience. Each
45-minute Introduction to Opera is FREE
with performance ticket. 6:30pm prior to
evening performances; 1:30pm prior to
Sunday matinees.
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Your Subscriber Advantages
Save Up to 55%
You’ll receive significant savings over
individual ticket prices by purchasing the
entire season at once. Choose a series
and save up to 55%. Details on page 14!
Bring Your Friends
As a subscriber, you’ll get exclusive
access to private sales when you may
purchase additional single tickets, at a
20% discount, before they go on sale to
the general public.
Free, Easy Exchanges
If your schedule changes, it’s easy to
exchange your seats for another date
of the same opera. We will do our best
to find you comparable seats. 48-hour
notice is required.
Praise for OSJ
Free Updates
Stay informed via our website, operasj.org,
which includes blogs, videos, calendar,
news and events. In addition, subscribers
will be sent up-to-the-minute eNews
with information about the productions,
creative teams, cast changes, best
available seating, special offers and more.
The Best Seats
Subscribers receive priority when it
comes to seating upgrades.
Guaranteed Seats
You select your seat location, based on
availability, and those seats are yours
for the whole season! Subscribers may
renew their seats for all seasons to come.
“Opera San José is everything we want in an opera company:
a gorgeous theater, beautiful costumes, well devised sets,
an excellent orchestra, and amazing voices. Opera San José
has become, for us, a cherished part of our community.”
“…I especially enjoy the
Introduction to Opera talk,
given by Larry Hancock, in
which he discusses the life
of the composer and the
story line to help us better
appreciate the opera being
performed that day.”
CYNTHIA NEWTON
SOPHIA LIU
Free Replacements
Have you ever lost your tickets or
left them at home? No problem. As a
subscriber, the Box Office will reprint
your tickets the day of the performance
at no additional cost to you.
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“Exciting young talent,
beautiful sets and the
amazing California Theatre
in downtown San Jose. All
these attributes help Opera
San José create a grand yet
intimate experience that is
enhanced by the access to
restaurants and activities
before and after the show.”
“I have been thrilled with
Opera San José. Adding
the best young and
upcoming talent to their
resident ensemble allows
for an always exciting
production and exposure
to great new artists. It is
wonderful to have world
class opera in San Jose!”
CHRIS AYERS
ELIZABETH ADLER
“When I entered the
California Theatre to see my
first-ever performance of
The Marriage of Figaro, I fell
in love with the venue and
the art. Thank you, Opera
San José, for continuing
to expand and enhance my
appreciation of the arts.”
JANICE TOYOSHIMA
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Seating & Ticket Options
Ticket Order Form
Series, Days, Times & Dates
Four Ways to Order
SERIES A
DAY
Sat Sun ThuSun Fri Sun
B
C
D
E
F
ONLINE
operasj.org
PHONE
408.437.4450 (box office phone lines are open M-F, 9am to 6pm)
TIME8pm3pm8pm
3pm8pm
3pm
FAX
408.437.4455 anytime
Lucia di Lammermoor
Sep 10
Sep 11
Sep 15
Sep 18
Sep 23
Sep 25
MAIL
Opera San José / 2149 Paragon Drive / San José, CA 95131-1312
The Barber of Seville
Nov 12
Nov 13
Nov 17
Nov 20
Nov 22* Nov 27
Please make your check payable to Opera San José.
Silent Night
Feb 11
Feb 12
Feb 16
Feb 19
Feb 24
Feb 26
La bohème
Apr 15
Apr 16
Apr 20
Apr 23
Apr 28
Apr 30
*November 22ND performance falls on a Tuesday
Payment Information
NAME
Please charge my:
California Theatre Seating
ADDRESS
SECTION
CITY
1 Grand Tier Dress
2 Grand Tier Sides
3 Orchestra Dress
4 Orchestra
5 Orchestra Ring
6 Mezzanine
7 Mezzanine Ring
A
B
C
D
E
F
SECTION
ACCT. NUMBER: STATEZIP
E-MAIL
EXP. DATE: PHONE
SIGNATURE:
Series Letter (1st choice) Section Number
Series Letter (2nd choice)
Section Number
1 Grand Tier Dress
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
2 Grand Tier Sides
$452
$452
$452
$452
$452
$452
3 Orchestra Dress $400
$400
$400
$400
$400
$400
4 Orchestra
$352$352 $352 $352$352$352
5 Orchestra Ring
$200$200 $200 $200$200$200
6 Mezzanine
$252$252 $252 $252$252$252
7 Mezzanine Ring
$100$100 $100 $100$100$100
The California Theatre Location
The California Theatre is at 345 South First Street between San Carlos and San Salvador in
downtown San José. The theatre is equipped with wheelchair access and assistance for the
hearing impaired.
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VISA MASTERCARDDISCOVERAMEX
SECURITY CODE:
Season Tickets for a Series of All Four Operas
Seat Location and Four-Opera Series Prices
SERIES X
$
= $
# OF 4-OPERA SERIES FIRST CHOICE PRICE
City
Facility Usage Fee* =
X$
Handling Fee= $
10.00
4.00= $
# OF 4-OPERA SERIES
Tax-Deductible Gift = $
GRAND TOTAL= $
If you do not receive confirmation that we have your season ticket order within two weeks of placing the order,
please email boxoffice@operasj.org to confirm that your request has been received. All sales are final. When you
return your tickets as a donation, the IRS considers the full price of the returned tickets a charitable contribution.
For ticket exchanges please email ticketexchange@operasj.org or call the box office for instructions. Ticket
exchanges are based on seating availability. If you upgrade your seat to a more expensive area additional fees
will be required. Please allow 48 business hours for any exchange. Event dates, times, prices, fees and artists are
subject to change without notice. Tickets to individual operas will go on sale August 8, 2016.
*This citywide fee of $1.00 per ticket ($4.00 for a season subscription) is to help ensure that the California Theatre
and all city theatres are maintained to a proper standard. This fee does not go to Opera San José.
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San José, CA
2149 Paragon Drive
San José, CA 95131-1312
operasj.org 408.437.4450
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GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
operasj.org / 408.437.4450
GAETANO DONIZETTI’S
Lucia di
Lammermoor
WEST COAST PREMIERE
KEVIN PUTS & MARK CAMPBELL’S
Silent Night
SUPERTITLES
GIOACHINO ROSSINI’S
GIACOMO PUCCINI’S
English translations appear
throughout each opera,
keeping you in the know.
The Barber
of Seville
La Bohème