2016–17 Season Preview

Puccini’s sweeping melodies and rich, heartfelt harmonies drive home the joy and sorrow of struggling young artists in 19th-century Paris. Carlo Montanaro conducts this timeless story of love, heartbreak and the fragility of life. Conductor: Nicola Luisotti November 2014 Introduction Act IV, Mimì’s Death: Alexey Markov, Michael Fabiano, Christian Van Horn “Guardare” (e un pappagallo m’addita): Michael Fabiano, Christian Van Horn, Alexey Markov, Hadleigh Adams Sono andati?: Alexia Voulgaridou Niuno è solo l’april: Alexia Voulgaridou, Michael Fabiano, Alexey Markov, Nadine Sierra

Opera’s most famous seducer, Don Giovanni, betrays and murders without remorse until a ghostly dinner guest brings retribution. Ildebrando D’Arcangelo stars in a reimagined production from director Jacopo Spirei. Conductor: Nicola Luisotti October 2011 Overture Finch’han dal vino: Lucas Meachem Deh vieni alla finestra: Lucas Meachem Metà di voi: Lucas Meachem Act I, Finale: Lucas Meachem, Ellie Dehn, Marco Vinco, Shawn Mathey, Serena Farnocchia, Kate Lindsey, Ryan Kuster Act II, Final Scene: Morris Robinson

A hunchbacked court jester tries to shield his daughter from the curse that ultimately shatters their lives. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts one of Verdi’s most memorable creations. Conductor: Nicola Luisotti September 2012 Overture Deh non parlare: Željko Lučić Bella figlia dell’amore: Francesco Demuro, Kendall Gladen, Aleksandra Kurzak, Željko Lučić

Cultures clash when a trusting young geisha marries an American naval officer in Puccini’s gut-wrenching tale. Lianna Haroutounian returns in this compelling visual production by Jun Kaneko. Conductor: Nicola Luisotti December 2007 Entrance of Butterfly: Patricia Racette, Stephen Powell Butterfly’s Death Addio, fiorito asil: Brandon Jovanovich Dovunque al mondo lo Yankee vagabondo: Brandon Jovanovich, Stephen Powell Tosca Conductor: Riccardo Frizza October 2014 Vissi d’arte: Lianna Haroutounian

Verdi’s grand Egyptian epic is the setting for an intimate love story about the heroic Radames and the Ethiopian slave girl, Aida. Francesca Zambello directs this bold new production inspired by one of today’s most exciting street artists, RETNA. Conductor: García Navarro November 1981 Act II, Trumpet Fanfare Guerra, guerra!: Margaret Price, Stefania Toczyska, Luciano Pavarotti, Kevin Langan, Simon Estes, Kurt Rydel Priests’ Chorus, Nume che del tuo spirito Judgment Scene, È traditor, morrà: Stefania Toczyska, Kurt Rydel Tu sei felice: Margaret Price, Stefania Toczyska Nile Scene, Là, tra foreste vergini: Margaret Price, Luciano Pavarotti Chi ti salva, sciagurato?: Stefania Toczyska, Luciano Pavarotti Tomb Scene, O terra, addio: Margaret Price, Luciano Pavarotti

The seductive Emilia Marty has broken hearts for more than 300 years and yet doesn’t look a day past 30. Now she must choose whether to retake the elixir that extended her life or find peace in death. Nadja Michael stars in Olivier Tambosi’s striking production. Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek November 2010 End of Overture End of Opera: Karita Mattila, Thomas Glenn, Miroslav Dvorský, Dale Travis, Gerd Grochowski Beginning of Overture End of Act I: Karita Mattila, Miroslav Dvorský Death Scene: Karita Mattila, Gerd Grochowski

Sparkling with virtuosic singing and playful humor, this comedy pits the miserly Don Pasquale against his nephew Ernesto and Ernesto’s sweetheart, the crafty young Norina. Lawrence Brownlee makes his long-awaited Company debut in this fanciful production by Laurent Pelly. Conductor: Uwe Mund October 1980 Tornami a dir’: Ruth Welting, David Rendall Opening Cello Solo Act II, Prelude Act III, Chorus Waltz È rimasto: Ruth Welting, David Rendall, Timothy Nolen, Geraint Evans End of Act II: Ruth Welting, David Rendall, Timothy Nolen, Geraint Evans

This classic Chinese epic recounts a love triangle between a young nobleman, his spiritual soulmate and a beautiful heiress. Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, this world-premiere opera is by Bright Sheng, one of the most important Chinese-American composers today, and Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly).

An ardent poet and a young noblewoman find love amidst the turmoil and terror of the French Revolution. Music Director Nicola Luisotti conducts this powerful melodic score in a lavish period production by director David McVicar. Conductor: Emerson Buckley November 1975 Introduction Gavotte Un dì all’azzuro spazio: Plácido Domingo La mamma morta: Josella Ligi Final Duet: Plácido Domingo, Josella Ligi

Conductor: Nicola Luisotti October 2011 Già la mensa è preparata from Don Giovanni