World’s most performed opera presented in Milwaukee by the Florentine for the first time since 2000
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin-September 18, 2008-The Florentine Opera opens its 75th Anniversary season with one of the grandest operas of them all: Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly, performed November 21, 22 and 23 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Milwaukee. The 150th Anniversary of Puccini's birth makes this year the perfect opportunity to re-visit what Puccini himself called the most "deeply felt and imaginative opera" of his career.
Madama Butterfly is filled with familiar and moving melodies, which unfold to the story of Cio-Cio-San, the vulnerable Japanese beauty, and her dashing love B.F. Pinkerton, the two-timing American Naval officer. Clashing cultures, innocence destroyed and a final act too tragic for unsung words make Madama Butterfly the ultimate opera experience, for first-time operagoers and seasoned experts alike.
The Florentine's sumptuous production will feature Robin Follman, who last graced the Florentine stage as Mimi in 2004's La Bohème and Barbara Divis, who makes her Florentine Opera debut, sharing the title role. Scott Piper, Jennifer Hines, Guido Lebron and Joel Sorensen round out this stellar cast, while Principal Conductor Joseph Rescigno takes up the baton to lead the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Dejan Miladinovic, who last directed an innovative all-new version of Beethoven's Fidelio with the Florentine in 2005, will return as Stage Director.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
WHAT: Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini
(Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage)
WHEN: Friday, November 21, 2008 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 22, 2008 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 23, 2008 @ 2:30 PM
WHERE: All performances are held in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
CAST: Stage Director / Dejan Miladinovic
Conductor / Joseph Rescigno
Cio-Cio-San / Robin Follman (Nov. 21 & 23)
Barbara Divis (Nov. 22)
Lt. Pinkerton / Scott Piper
Suzuki / Jennifer Hines
Sharpless / Guido LeBron
Goro / Joel Sorensen
ARTIST INFORMATION / INTERVIEWS:
For additional artist biography information or to schedule an interview with any of the artists above, please contact Kathryn Reinardy, Marketing & Public Relations Manager, by telephone at 414-291-5700 ext. 213, or via email at kreinardy@florentineopera.org.
TICKETS / SEASON SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:
Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera's 2008-2009 season range in price from $54 to $384. Single tickets start at just $30. For more information on ordering your tickets, visit www.florentineopera.org or call 414-291-5700 ext. 224. To request a season brochure, email info@florentineopera.org or call 414-291-5700.