| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Loris, Director of Marketing & Public Relations Florentine Opera to Premiere New Production of Fidelio What: When: Where: Tickets: Supertitles: Description: Synopsis Act I. Spain, eighteenth century. In a prison, Marzelline, daughter of the jailer, Rocco, rejects the attentions of her father's assistant, Jacquino, who hopes to marry her. Her heart is set instead on the new errand boy, Fidelio. The latter, a hardworking lad, arrives with provisions and dispatches and is distressed by Marzelline's interest in him, especially since it has the blessing of Rocco. Fidelio is in fact Leonore, a noblewoman of Seville who has come to the jail disguised as a boy to find her husband, Florestan, a political prisoner languishing somewhere in chains. When Rocco mentions a man lying near death in the vaults below, Leonore, suspecting it might be Florestan, begs Rocco to take her on his rounds. He agrees, though the governor of the prison, Don Pizarro, allows only Rocco in the lower levels of the dungeon. As soldiers assemble in the courtyard, Pizarro learns from the dispatches brought to him that Don Fernando, minister of state, is on his way to inspect the fortress. At this news the governor resolves to kill Florestan, his enemy, without delay and orders Rocco to dig a grave for the victim in the dungeon. Leonore, overhearing his plan, realizes Pizarro's evil nature and the plight of his victim. After praying for strength to save her husband and keep up hope, she again begs Rocco to let her accompany him to the condemned man's cell—and also to allow the other prisoners a few moments of air in the courtyard. The gasping men relish their glimpse of freedom but are ordered back by Pizarro, who hurries Rocco off to dig Florestan's grave. With apprehension, Leonore follows him into the dungeon. Act II. In one of the lowest cells of the prison, Florestan dreams he sees Leonore arrive to free him. But his vision turns to despair, and he sinks down exhausted. Rocco and Leonore arrive and begin digging the grave. Florestan awakens, not recognizing his wife, and Leonore almost loses her composure at the familiar sound of his voice. Florestan moves the jailer to offer him a drink, and Leonore gives him a bit of bread, urging him not to lose faith. Rocco then blows on his whistle to signal Pizarro that all is ready. The governor advances with dagger drawn to strike, but Leonore stops him with a pistol. At this moment a trumpet sounds from the battlements: Don Fernando has arrived. Rocco leads Pizarro out to meet him as Leonore and Florestan rejoice in each other's arms. In the prison courtyard, Don Fernando proclaims justice for all. He is amazed when Rocco brings his friend Florestan before him and relates the details of Leonore's heroism. Pizarro is arrested, and Leonore herself removes Florestan's chains. The other prisoners too are freed, and the crowd hails Leonore.ARTISTIC INFORMATION Anthony Dean Griffey—Florestan Anthony Dean Griffey has captured critical and popular acclaim with opera companies and symphony orchestras worldwide. Most recently he has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony and the Atlanta Symphony. He has last seen at the Florentine Opera as Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men. Erika Sunnegrådh—Leonora (Fidelio) Swedish-American soprano Erika Sunnegårdh has appeared in numerous recitals in Sweden, England, Israel, Italy and the United States. In the operatic repertoire Ms. Sunnegårdh has recently moved into heavier repertoire, currently preparing roles including Elisabeth in Tannhäuser and Abigaille in Nabucco. Autumn 2004 she made her European stage debut in the title role of Turandot at the Malmö Opera. Future plans include Turandot at the Norrland Opera, Sweden, and Leonore in Fidelio in Milwaukee, USA. During the 2005-06 she will make her Metropolitan Opera debut. Kristopher Irmiter—Don Pizarro Stephen Morscheck—Rocco Among his performed repertoire are such parts as the title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Alphonso in Cosi Fan Tutte, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Capulet in Bellini’s I Capuletti e Montecchi, the title role in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale and Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor. Ethan Herschenfeld—Don Fernando Ethan Herschenfeld has recently debuted in Stuttgart, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, San Francisco, Sand Diego, and at New York City Opera, where he created the role of Butt the Hoopoe in Haroun, and returned to sing the title role in Ariane et Barbe-bleue. He was last seen at the Florentine Opera as Doctor Granvil in La Traviata. Valérie MacCarthy—Marzellina Valérie MacCarthy, a native New Yorker of French and American origin, is increasingly in demand in the French vocal repertoire. Ms. MacCarthy made a prestigious Ravinia Festival debut as soprano soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in John de Lancie’s “Romeo et Juliette Project,” a concert she repeated in her debut with the L.A. Philharmonic. In June 2003 Valérie MacCarthy made her debut as Musetta in the brilliant Baz Luhrmann production of Puccini’s La Boheme at The Broadway Theatre. Ms. MacCarthy was last seen at the Florentine Opera as Frasquita in Carmen. Jay Morrissey—Jacquino Jay Morrissey has appeared in a number of roles including Tamino in The Magic Flute with Highland Park Opera, Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera Illinois, Carlson in Of Mice and Men with the Florentine Opera and Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Highland Park Opera. He was last seen at the Florentine Opera as the Shepherd and the Sailor in Tristan und Isolde. Andreas Delfs—Conductor Now in his eighth season as music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Andreas Delfs continues to garner national and international accolades through our national radio series and guest conducting appearances in the USA and abroad. His work this season includes a return to The Philadelphia Orchestra and concerts with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as well as his regular concerts with the MSO. Recent engagements have also included return appearances to the Seattle, Cincinnati and Detroit Symphonies as well as a return to the prestigious Aspen Music Festival where he was once a student. Recognized as one of the top young conductors of today, Andreas Delfs leads the MSO into its 46th season with passion, precision and an ever-deepening artistry. Active also as an opera conductor Andreas Delfs gave the European premiere of John Corigliano’s opera The Ghosts of Versailles, the Swiss premiere of Ligeti’s Le Grande Macabre and a highly praised debut at the New York City Opera with Bizet’s Carmen. His opera activity with the Milwaukee Symphony has included memorable concert productions of Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov, and Puccini’s Turandot. Last season’s production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel was commercially released this past November on the AVIE label, the first ever digital recording of Hansel and Gretel in English. Dejan Miladinovic—Stage Director Dejan Miladinovic has earned critical and popular acclaim directing productions throughout North America. He is a graduate of the Academy for Theater in Belgrade and received the title of Master of Theatrical Arts from the same academy. He has also served as Artistic Director of the National Opera, Novi Sad, Yugoslavia and as Director of Opera at the University of Southern California and at Southern Methodist University. 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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