November 12-20
Michigan Opera Theatre’s 41st fall season of “Fate”continues with one of Mozart’s most popular works, The Marriage of Figaro, in a five performance engagement from Nov. 12-20, 2011, at the Detroit Opera House. One of the most celebrated and delightfully amusing operas ever written, Figaro is regarded as a cornerstone of the operatic canon, and involves a wildly entertaining parade of mistaken identities, cross-dressing and infidelity. Of course, all are fated to end up happy. The company last produced the opera in 2007. The production will be sung in Italian with English supertitles projected above the stage.
Long before Jennifer Aniston or Sandra Bullock, Mozart created hisenduring romantic comedy as a sequel of sorts to Rossini’s Barber ofSeville. The opera recounts a single “mad” day in the palace of Count Almaviva, whose wife, Rosina, is unhappy in her married life and pursued by the Count’s page. At the same time, the Count chases his servant Susanna, who is engaged to Figaro, the Count’s valet. The marital madness comes to a head that evening when all find themselves on the palace grounds in a hilarious series of events. The opera begins with one of the most famous overtures of all time.
Acclaimed young American conductor Kazem Abdullah makes his company debut leading the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, and Italian director Mario Corradi returns to stage the production.
American 
baritone Corey McKern (12, 16, 19) returns to MOT as Count Almaviva after his debut performances as Marcello in La Bohème last fall. He alternates with American Ian Greenlaw (18, 20), who last appeared in 2003’s Die Fledermaus. Two American sopranos make their company debuts as the Countess: Rachel Willis-Sørensen (12, 16, 19) and Siân Davies (18, 20).
American bass Jason Hardy (12, 16, 19) makes his company debut as Figaro, alternating with American Andrew Gray (18, 20), who has appeared in many productions through MOT’s Young Artist program. As Susanna, Italian soprano Grazia Doronzio (12, 16, 19) returns after her debut in last fall’s La Bohème, alternating with Canadian Andriana Chuchman, who currently performs in this season’s Carmina Burana & The Medium.
American mezzo-soprano Lauren McNeese sings Cherubino, returning after her company debut inRomeo and Juliet in 2007. American bass-baritone Jason Budd returns to sing Dr. Bartolo, and mezzo-soprano Melissa Parks, currently starring in The Medium, plays Marcellina. Young ArtistsBrian Leduc, Jason Wickson, Angela Theis, Timothy Bruno, Tanya Roberts and Sarah Nisbettalso appear.
The opening night performance will be broadcast live on WRCJ 90.9 FM, with commentary beginning at 7 p.m. with Dave Wagner.
Access.Opera tickets for students and young professionals, ages 18-40, are available on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at a reduced price, with a reception following the performance. Visit www.MichiganOpera.org/
A free opera talk begins one hour prior to each performance.
Ticket prices range from $29 to $121. Tickets may be purchased online atwww.MichiganOpera.org, by calling 313-237-SING, or in person at the Detroit Opera House box office (1526 Broadway, Detroit). Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Wolfgan Amadeus Mozart’s
The Marriage of Figaro
Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 20 at 2:30 p.m.
At the magnificent Detroit Opera House
