Opera lovers rejoice — the soaring sounds of Puccini and Wagner, a gala concert and an homage to Josephine Baker are on tap for the coming season, starting in November.
Current subscribers to the New Orleans Opera were treated to the news in a virtual meeting this week with general director Clare Burovac, who announced a season with performances at Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts and the Marigny Opera House.
Leading the season will be the first act of Wagner's "Die Walküre," the second of the composer's four-part "Ring" cycle. Slated for production at Mahalia Jackson on Nov. 12 and 14, the opera deals with the Norse legends of separated twins Sieglinde and Siegmund and their forbidden love for each other. Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto, of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, will lead the ensemble as part of the "semi-staged, multimedia production" with video works by Samantha Aldana.
Marigny Opera Ballet performs a regional premiere of Thomas Cipullo's "Josephine," an homage to the American-born French entertainer who was a civil rights and French Resistance figure. The ballet, a world premiere, will be choreographed by Lauren Ashlee Messina, with Lauren Turner, of the local No Dream Deferred theater company, will direct the opera. The show will be Jan. 6-9 at the Marigny Opera House.
A gala concert enlists the vocal talents of the New Orleans Opera Chorus and guest soloists Feb. 11 and 13 for a "greatest hits" evening with Maestro Robert Lyall.
The Bohemian lifestyle of Paris in the 1830s comes to life in the perennial showpiece "La Bohème" April 1 and 3. Puccini brings to life the saga of Mimi, a poor seamstress, her great love, her failing health and the artists who are her friends. Filled with romantic melodies, the opera is oft known for "quando me'n vo'," better known as "Musetta's Waltz."
“This season captures so much of what we love about opera. It is bookended by the works of two great operatic composers, Wagner and Puccini," Burovac said. "Between those productions, we have an exceptional evening of opera and dance, which honors an American icon, as well as a celebratory concert featuring some of the greatest music ever composed. As we take steps toward recovering from the effects of this pandemic, this season feels like a breath of fresh air — like the sun rising after a long winter.”
The announcement is available on the opera's YouTube Channel and website. It features guest artists in a discussion about the season and includes performances, video and photos.
Tickets are on sale with “early bird” discounts available. Flex packages and installment plans are available. Single tickets go on sale July 1. Visit neworleansopera.org or call (504) 529-3000.