When asked why and how he began to entertain the idea of opera set in the mountains, Executive Director David Starkey stated “This kind of project really came out of our exposure of so much history of the musical artists, famous families, iconic homes and estates in the region.” The flexibility to adapt Die Fledermaus to different cultures, communities, and countries makes it an ideal operetta for individualization. Working with Starkey to rewrite the libretto into a charming mountain cocktail is Asheville Lyric Opera’s artistic advisor and longtime ALO director, Dr. Jon Truitt. Having performed Die Fledermaus three times and directed it twice with various adaptations, he is well prepared to adapt the changes and direct this very unique performance. His work on the ALO stage has included directing seven performances and singing lead roles in four. Familiarity with Asheville’s culture and community makes Dr. Truitt eager to create this exciting masterpiece in which ALO will collaborate with Cornelia Laemmli Orth, conductor of Symphony of the Mountains, based out of Kingsport, Tennessee.
In her eighth season as music director of Symphony of the Mountains, internationally acclaimed conductor Cornelia Laemmli Orth will be contributing her considerable talent to the musical direction of this exciting performance. A native of Switzerland, Cornelia received her Lehrdiploma in piano from the Conservatory at Winterhur and graduated from the Conservatory and University in Zurich with her Masters in Music Education and Choral Conducting. She obtained her Masters in Orchestra Conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied under Victor Yampolsky. As an advocate for Contemporary Music, Cornelia brings a variety of new music to the region and she has been heralded for her connection to audiences during outreach and community programs. She has conducted several operas and will be providing excellent musical leadership to ALO’s singers and chorus members.
There are several benefits to Asheville Lyric Opera collaborating with regional arts companies. With resources being partnered there is a larger artistic collection of resources upon which to build a creative and original story. Collaboration connects the arts communities not only artistically, but personally as well. Patrons are exposed to the work of another regional organization and productions that are full of personality, in which they can be proud of their artistic community by seeing them create a unique production in conjunction with a partnering organization. Setting Die Fledermaus in a well known western North Carolina home, the “Giltmore” and tailoring the “Vanderburghs” to have certain Southern mountain charms will without a doubt, create a humorous and original production, one that will create a deeper sense of appreciation for Western North Carolina’s culture.
PERFORMANCE DATES WITH SUNDAY MATINEE
Friday, October 3, 2014, 8pm AND Sunday,
October 5, 2014 Matinee at 3pm
Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville,
NC
Tickets are on sale now at the theater box office: 828-257-4530, or online at www.ashevillelyric.org.
For schools and community groups, tickets to the Die Fledermaus: An Appalachian Party October 1, 2014 Preview Dress Rehearsal at 7pm are available only through the Asheville Lyric Opera
office. Call ALO at 828-236-0670 to make
your reservations.
No comments:
Post a Comment