Opera is yours to enjoy through single tickets or a season subscription to the Florentine Opera Company’s dazzling Diamond Anniversary Season

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin-September 15, 2008-Single tickets for the Florentine Opera's 2008-2009 season of thrilling opera are now available for purchase. The Florentine's 75th Anniversary Season commences with Madama Butterfly, recognized by Puccini himself as one of "the most deeply felt and imaginative operas" of his career.  The season continues with Handel's Baroque masterpiece Semele-a Florentine Opera first-and an all-new production of Mozart's final opera, The Magic Flute, that is perfect for the whole family.  

Single tickets are also still available for the Florentine Opera Studio Artists Concert, to be held at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts on October 19, 2008. Tickets for an additional one-night-only Diamond Anniversary Spectacular Concert & Gala, to be held on May 23, 2009, will go on sale later this fall.

FLORENTINE OPERA 75th ANNIVERSARY SEASON PRODUCTIONS

Florentine Opera's Studio Artist Concert . . . October 19, 2008 (Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield)

Be the first to hear the four 2008-09 season Florentine Opera Studio Artists in recital at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield. Maestro Joseph Rescigno will be at the keyboard as tenor Rafael Luquis, baritone Todd von Felker, soprano Greer Davis-Brown and mezzo soprano Colleen E. Brooks perform arias, ensembles and opera favorites in this inaugural performance.            

Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly . . . November 21, 22, and 23, 2008 (Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee)
Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage

Glorious melodies, heartbreaking tragedy, pure emotion...revisiting the world's most performed opera is the perfect way to celebrate two special anniversaries: the Florentine Opera's 75th season and Giacomo Puccini's 150th birthday. This familiar musical score unfolds to the tale of Cio-Cio-San, the vulnerable Japanese beauty, and her two timing love, the American naval officer B.F. Pinkerton. 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.

George Frideric Handel's Semele . . . February 27 & 28 and March 1, 2009 (Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee)
Sung in English with English translations projected above the stage

Set to Handel's beautiful Baroque melodies, this rousing opera features some of the most notable stars of classical mythology in a tale of envy, immortality and desire of mythic proportions. When the beautiful young Semele aspires to become immortal, her blind ambition leads to a thunderously fatal conclusion. The Florentine Opera's production is a stunning re-creation of stage director John La Bouchardiere's original Scottish Opera production, presented at the beautiful Historic Pabst Theater and conducted by expert Jane Glover of Chicago's Music of the Baroque.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Magic Flute . . . April 17, 18 and 19, 2009 (Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee)
Sung in English (Andrew Porter translation), with English projected above the stage

This must-see production-truly one of opera's most enduring classics-is presented in an all-new production featuring in-house Florentine Opera talents. General Director William Florescu returns as the production's stage director, Maestro Joseph Rescigno conducts and Director of Production Noele Stollmack serves as set & lighting designer in this fantastical tale perfect for the entire family.

Florentine Opera's 75th Anniversary Diamond Spectacular Concert & Gala . . . May 23, 2009 (Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee)

This must-see, one-night-only extravaganza will commemorate the Florentine's 75 year legacy. Opera stars Cynthia Lawrence (soprano), Mark S. Doss (bass baritone), Jonathan Boyd (tenor) and Robynne Redmon (mezzo soprano) perform works from the all-time greatest operas, including Carmen, The Flying Dutchman, The Pearl Fishers, Norma, Abduction from the Seraglio and more! This dazzling night at the opera will also include gala festivities.                    

PRICES
Single tickets are available starting at just $30. In addition, season subscriptions are still available and range from $75-$384.

FOR TICKETS
While single tickets are a convenient way to enjoy the Florentine Opera's 2008-09 season, consider becoming a season ticket holder to ensure that your unparalleled experience at the opera lasts all year round.  New season subscriptions are currently available through the Florentine Opera Box Office.

Single tickets for all performances are on sale as of September 15, 2008.  They can be purchased in several ways:

  • Online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.florentineopera.org by clicking on the "tickets" option.
  • By phone from the Florentine Opera Box Office, at (414) 291-5700 x 224 or toll-free at (800) 326-7372 x 224.
  • Mail order through the Florentine Opera Company, 700 N. Water St, Suite 950, Milwaukee, WI 53202, or using our 24-hour fax line at (414) 291-5706.
  • Marcus Center Box Office (414) 273-7206 or toll free at (888) 612-3500, or through walk-up service at the Marcus Center Box Office, 929 N. Water St, Downtown Milwaukee, WI.