| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amy Erato, Marketing & Public Relations Enjoy Shakespeare at the Opera with the Florentine’s What: When: Where: Tickets: Supertitles: Description: SYNOPSIS Act II- Macbeth confesses to his wife that he is troubled; he has won the thrown of Scotland by killing Duncan, but now fears the other prophecy of the witches, which foretold that Banquo would be the father of all kings. He decides that Banquo and his son must be killed to prevent the prophecy from taking place; Lady Macbeth is clearly shaken. Assassins prepare an ambush in Macbeth’s grounds, and hide in the trees and wait for Banquo and his son. The two enter and Banquo is struck. His son flees. In the meantime, a sumptuous banquet is prepared to celebrate the new king. At the banquet, one of the assassins tells Macbeth that Banquo is dead but that his son has escaped. At that moment, the ghost of Banquo appears, shocking the guests. Lady Macbeth tries to distract the guests by proposing a toast, and tells Macbeth that he must maintain his courage; the dead cannot return. Act III-The witches are in their cave, busily stirring an enormous cauldron. Hecate, along with devils and spirits, announces to the witches that Macbeth is about to arrive and the ruin that awaits him cannot be postponed much longer. Macbeth arrives and asks the witches to tell him about his future, since he is frightened by the vision of Banquo’s ghost. He learns that he must be wary of Macduff. Then, a voice tells him that no man born of woman can harm him, and also tells him that he will keep his crown until he sees the Birnam Wood march against him. Macbeth asks if Banquo’s line is destined to reign, and Bagpipe music is heard and eight kings appear followed by Banquo holding a mirror. Macbeth tries to attack them but collapses. The spirits and witches dance around him. He finally awakes in his wife’s arms. They try to console one another and agree that they need only to kill Macduff and Banquo’s son to keep their power. Act IV- Scottish fugitives and rebels recall the oppression by the bloody tyrant king Macbeth as they hide on the border dividing Scotland and England, not far from Birnam Wood. Macduff weeps and recalls the loss of his wife and children who were slain by Macbeth. He swears that he will avenge his family. Malcolm, son of the dead King Duncan arrives and leads a group of English soldiers. He orders his men to hide in the bushes and prepares for attack. Lady Macbeth, being looked over by a doctor and a lady-in-waiting, is in her castle in a state of madness and describes the murders while she tries to clean her hands of blood. In another hall, Macbeth is preparing for the battle. He is certain he will be victorious. A messenger tells him that his wife has died, and he remains unmoved. A group of soldiers arrive bringing terrible news: Birnam Wood is moving. Macbeth leaves to fight. The English soldiers advance slowly, each carrying a tree branch. Malcolm signals the attack; the men break cover and charge. Macbeth and Macduff fight. Macduff tells Macbeth that he was torn prematurely from his mother’s womb and was not, therefore, born of woman. The battle rages and a group of Scottish women appear, announcing victory. All the prophecies have been fulfilled; Macduff has killed Macbeth in battle, and Malcom is the new King of Scotland. ARTISTIC INFORMATION Lady Macbeth / Cynthia Lawrence Other members of the cast appearing in this production include: Macduff / Jorge Lopez-Yanez, tenor Paula Suozzi—Director Raised in New Jersey, Paula Suozzi, Artistic Director of the Milwaukee Shakespeare, made her debut in Milwaukee when she was 30, directing Skylight Opera Theatre's The Marriage of Figaro. In 2003, she brought a wealth of experience, including seven years as Associate Artistic Director with the Skylight Opera Theatre, to Milwaukee Shakespeare, where she has directed numerous acclaimed productions including The Comedy of Errors, Julius Caesar, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, A Winter’s Tale and Richard II. Before moving to Milwaukee, Ms. Suozzi worked as the assistant director for the San Francisco Opera. Joseph Rescigno—Conductor Florentine Principal Conductor Joseph Rescigno will lead the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Rescigno conducts two productions in the Florentine Opera’s 2006-07 season, his 25th season with the company. Opera and symphony lovers have seen him conduct at the 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. THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY |
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