| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Loris, Director of Marketing & Public Relations Florentine Opera to Premiere New Production of The Daughter of the Regiment What: When: Where: Tickets: Supertitles: Description: Synopsis Act I. In a village near the Tyrolean Alps, the women pray as a battle rages nearby. The Marquise of Birkenfeld and her steward have been caught in the tides of the war. The French are victorious due to the unbeaten Twenty-First Regiment of Grenadiers. Sergeant Sulpice of the 21st Regiment enters along with the vivandiere, Marie. She was found on the battlefield as a child and was raised by the entire company. Sulpice questions her as to why she has not been as cheerful, perhaps it is because of the young man she’s been seen with lately. She tells Sulpice that this peasant, Tonio, saved her life when she slipped and nearly fell off a cliff. Sulpice reminds her that she may only marry a grenadier. The soldiers drag in Tonio, whom they claim is a spy, and want to kill him, but Marie pleads for his life. The soldiers release him and celebrate her safety. Tonio tells Marie of his love, then leaves with the soldiers to win approval from Marie’s “fathers.” Act II. A salon in the chateau of Birkenfeld. Several months have passed and the Marquise and her friend, the Duchess of Krackenthorp discuss the marriage contract between Marie and the Duchess’ son. Sulpice, who has been at the chateau recuperating from a wound, appears in the salon. The Marquise tells him of the marriage plans. Marie arrives and confides in Sulpice that she would rather be with Tonio; Sulpice reminds her of her duty and leaves. Shortly after, the 21st Regiment appears, including Tonio, who is now an officer. Marie, Tonio and Sulpice celebrate their reunion. Tonio tells the Marquise of his love for Marie and that he discovered that Marie is not her niece and is free to marry anyone she chooses. The Marquise confesses that she is actually Marie’s mother. When the Marquise tells Marie this news, Marie offers to sign the wedding contract. Tonio and the rest of the 21st Regiment burst in declaring that Marie is the daughter of their regiment. Marie says she can never repay the kindness of the soldiers, and the Marchioness, extremely moved by Marie’s speech, gives her permission to marry Tonio. Everyone bursts into the Salut á la France. ARTISTIC INFORMATION Georgia Jarman —Marie (March 3 & 5) Georgia Jarman, a native of New York City, was a winner of the 1999 New York District Division of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has since embarked on a successful international career. She recently made her much anticipated role debut as Violetta in La Traviata at the Caramoor Festival under the baton of Will Crutchfield, for which she was praised as "…Feisty and extroverted, in blooming vocal health…Jarman sang beautifully, with a delicious lilt to her phrasing and a fine point to her words. What's more, she brought passion and flair to Crutchfield's imaginative ornamentations". (Newsday, July 2005). Ms. Jarman will sing the Verdi heroine again at Grand Rapids Opera in the spring of 2006. Anita Johnson–Marie (March 4) With a repertoire ranging from Pamina to Zerbinetta, soprano Anita Johnson has been blessed with a voice of unfailingly lyrical grace, impeccable musicianship, and an onstage persona which has been described as “pure,” “charming,” “gorgeous,” “brilliant,” “electric,” and “near magical.” Shehas achieved an undeniably impressive level of artistry, and continues to enjoy critical and popular success both in the United States and abroad. Gran Wilson —Tonio (March 3 & 5) American tenor Gran Wilson enjoys a busy international career with appearances in leading roles for opera companies and orchestras around the world. Notable engagements include his portrayal as Frere Massee in the San Francisco Opera’s much acclaimed North Amreican premiere aof Messiaen’s Saint Francis, Werther for Opera de Toulon and Opera de Wallonie, Des Grieux in Massenet’s manon in Nancy, Toulon, and New Orleans, Romeo et Juliette for the Vlaamse Oper and Indianapolis, Alfredo for the Athens Opera, Henze’s Boulevard Solitude Oper Frankfurt, Essex in the North American premiere of Britten’s Gloriana, Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutti in Las Palmas and Alfred in Die Fledermaus for Michigan Opera and Baltimore. Brad Diamond–Tonio (March 4) In recent seasons, Dr. Diamond has performed Messiah with the Roanoke Music College, Buffalo Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Oratorio Society of New York, Nashville Symphony, Tulsa Philharmonic, and Princeton Pro Musica. Dr. Diamond is a featured artist in “An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan” which has performed with symphony orchestras in Duluth-Superior, Cedar Rapids, Erie, Buffalo, Lakeside, Richmond and St. Louis among others. On the operatic stage he has performed the role of Almaviva in the Barber of Seville with the Lyric Opera Cleveland, Opera Pacific, and a recording for Public Television Broadcast with the Florentine Opera Company of Milwaukee. In recent seasons, he has performed the role of Ralph Rackstraw in HMS Pinafore with the Dayton opera and Prince Ramiro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola with the Indianapolis Nashville Opera Companies. Jan Opalach—Sergeant Sulpice Mr. Opalach has been a regular guest of the New York City Opera since 1980. Among the many roles he has performed during his long association there, are Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Le nozze di Figaro, Leporello in Don Giovanni , Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia , The Forester in The Cunning Little Vixen , Sancho Panza in Don Quichotte , Capellio in I Capuleti e i Montecchi , and King Fisher in Michael Tippett's The Midsummer Marriage . He has also appeared with the Seattle Opera, the Santa Fe Opera, Washington Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Atlanta Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Opalach was last seen at the Florentine Opera as Bottom in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Susan Nicely—Marquise de Birkenfeld Mezzo-Soprano Susan Nicely is known for her rich voice and vivid characterizations. She made her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as the Governess in Pique Dame and subsequently appeared there as Mrs. Ott in Susannahand Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana. She made her European debut in Strasbourg, France in the role of Mary with Opera du Rhine's production of Der Fliegende Hollanderand her debut in South America as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Toddwith Opera Breve in Caracas, Venezuela. Joseph Rescigno—Conductor Florentine Principal Conductor, Joseph Rescigno, will lead the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Rescigno conducts two productions in the Florentine’s 2005-2006 season, his 24th with the company. Opera and symphony lovers have seen him conduct at New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Montreal Opera and the Montreal Symphony, Dallas Opera, The Washington Opera, and elsewhere in Canada, France, Italy and Japan. Bernard Uzan—Director Bernard Uzan served as General and Artistic Director of L’Opera de Montreal from 1988 to 2001. In North America, he has directed more than 200 productions in more than 45 opera companies, including Dallas Opera, San Francisco Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Philadelphia, Opera Pacific, and Zurich Opera. Mr. Uzan most recently directed La Traviata at the Florentine Opera in November of 2003. SUBSCRTIPION INFORMATION Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera’s 2005.06 Season are now available and range in price from $66.50 to $361.50. To order your subscriptions package visit us online at www.florentineopera.org or call 414.291.5700 ext.224. To request a season brochure email us at info@florentineopera.org or call 414.291.5700. FLORENTINE OPERA Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera Company is Wisconsin’s oldest and most enduring performing arts organization. It is also the fifth oldest opera company in the United States. Today Florentine audiences enjoy beautifully mounted main stage productions each season that include first-rate vocal artistry, the visual excitement of elaborate, period authentic sets and costumes, high drama, light hearted comedy and superb choreography. Audiences also enjoy outstanding modern works such as the 1999 North American premiere of Lowell Lieberman’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the 2002 Milwaukee premiere of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the 2003 Florentine premiere of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. For additional artist biography information or to schedule an interview with any of the artists above, please contact Susan Loris, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at 414-225-1949. |
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