It’s not a big-screen cinema telecast from New York or San Francisco. It’s right here, right now, coming at you in all its grandeur, live and in the flesh from San Diego’s Civic Theatre “” the 2008 season of San Diego Opera (SDO).
A Richard Wagner romance, a Giuseppe Verdi extravaganza, a Gaetano Donizetti historical saga that pits dueling divas, a long-absent pair of verismo tragedies best known as “Cav and Pag,” and Georges [sic] Bizet’s “other” opera make up the intriguing and rather daring 2008 season, playing January 26 through May 11.
The season marks SDO’s third production of Bizet’s voluptuous “The Pearl Fishers,” for a second time in Zandra Rhodes’ colorful SDO designs. The operatic rarity is becoming a staple of SDO’s repertoire; meanwhile, the company is getting its money’s worth out of the production designs, which are frequently rented to other opera companies, creating a kind of “Pearl Fishers” renaissance elsewhere as well.
The 2008 blockbuster is Verdi’s gigantic, well-known and often heard “Aida,” certainly not inexpensive to produce and an opera that depends upon magnificent singing, a quality orchestra and scenic grandeur.
It’s among the operatic ABCs along with Puccini’s “La Boheme” and Bizet’s “Carmen,” familiar hits that guarantee happy, capacity audiences. Starring Indra Thomas, Mariana Pentcheva and Carlo Ventre, “Aida” plays five performances beginning April 12.
Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Ruggiero Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci,” aka “the heavenly twins,” were paired soon after their premieres. They might be in the ABC category had the verismo style not waned.
The pendulum might be swinging back now, given Jack O’Brien’s popular staging of Puccini’s “Il Trittico” at the Metropolitan Opera last season. Stay tuned and meanwhile enjoy the opportunity re-examine these operas with two renowned tenors, Richard Leech as Pagliacci and Jose Cura in his San Diego Opera debut as Turridu. The double bill opens March 22.
Now for the more intriguing part of San Diego Opera’s season”the part that appeals to seasoned opera fans used to traveling to see such programming.
Presented for the first time in nearly 40 years, Wagner’s romantic fairytale, “Tannhauser,” opens the season Jan. 26. Like Wagner’s later operas, this 1861 romance requires excellent singers at the top of their form. They are heldentenor Robert Gambill in title role, Camilla Nylund as Elisabeth, and Russell Braun as Wolfram, who sings the Act III hit, “O, du mein holder abendstern.” Braun’s late father was a famous Wolfram, so singing the role for the first time is especially significant.
Campbell matches coloratura soprano Angela Gilbert and mezzo Kate Aldrich as vocal duelists in Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda (Mary, Queen of Scots),” opening Feb. 16.
For a sample of the bel canto fireworks and the rest of the amazing cast, go to SDO’s Web site.
Featuring a new company of bare-chested men, John Malashock’s choreography and gorgeous women of Ceylon, “The Pearl Fishers” closes SDO’s season with four performances beginning May 3. The hit tune, a duet for tenor Charles Castronovo and baritone Malcolm Mackenzie, may be heard on the Web site.
For plots, dates and times, casting details, photographs, listening and lecture opportunities, music samples and tickets ($28-$192) go to www.sdopera.com or phone (619) 533-7000.