The Asheville Lyric Opera (ALO) is pleased to announce its 14th season for 2012-2013 which will feature three mainstage events and additional supporting programs throughout Western North Carolina.
Productions
La Traviata
October 5 & 6, 2012 – 8 p.m.
La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, an audience favorite, featuring the debut of Scott Schoonover, conductor for Union Avenue Opera of St. Louis. Jon Truitt, acclaimed director of last season’s Madame Butterfly, returns to direct this powerful new production set in early 18th century Paris. This tale of love transcending the constraints of social class speaks directly to the heart.
Lawrence Brownlee in Recital
March 3, 2013 – 4 p.m.
Lawrence Brownlee is one of the most consistently sought-after artists on the international scene. He is lauded continually for the beauty of his voice, his seemingly effortless technical agility, and his dynamic and engaging dramatic skills. We are honored to bring Mr. Brownlee to the Diana Wortham Theatre stage.
Tosca
April 12 & 13, 2012 – 8 p.m.
Tosca by Giacomo Puccini, makes its ALO debut at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Featured singers include Stephen Mark Brown and Kathy Pyeatt. Conductor Dan Alcott returns as maestro for this production. Long overdue, director David Carl Toulson returns to sculpt an intimate, yet imaginative take on this new production.
Debuts and Staff Changes
The 2012-2013 season features the debut of conductor Scott Schoonover. Mr. Schoonover is best known for founding Union Avenue Opera in 1994. He has lead UAO to critical acclaim for the past 18 years in over 50 productions and 150 performances. Mr. Schoonover will conduct La Traviata.
ALO also welcomes new Chorus Master, Vance Reese. Recently, Mr. Reese conducted the spring production of the Sound of Music. As a vocal coach and accompanist for the ALO, Mr. Reese has a wealth of experience teaching, performing, and conducting.
Opportunities for Community
On March 2, 2013, YMI Cultural Center will host a Lecture Master Class with Lawrence Brownlee followed by a private dinner. The lecture will be open to local area youth. For more information contact the opera office, (828) 236-0670.
ALO offers season subscriptions with discounts. Subscriptions are currently on sale through the opera office. In addition to providing discounts, subscriptions allow patrons to choose their seats for the entire season with the option of renewing the following season. Individual ticket prices for La Traviata, Lawrence Brownlee in Recital and Tosca range from $30 – $53. (Preview dress rehearsal tickets are available for student and senior citizen groups for La Traviata and Tosca.) Student rates are available for all productions.
In addition to ALO’s three main stage events, the ALO continues to sponsor and support the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD movie broadcasts, shown at the The Carolina (Cinema) on Hendersonville Road. Highlighting its season are the Met’s new productions of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Armore, Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera & Rigoletto, and Wagner’s Parsifal.
For information on season subscriptions, dress rehearsal tickets, auditions, or to request a season brochure, call (828) 236-0670 or visit www.ashevillelyric.org. Single tickets are sold solely through Diana Wortham Theatre box office at (828) 257-4530, or www.dwtheatre.com beginning September 6, 2012.
History
Founded in 1999, the Asheville Lyric Opera is Asheville’s first opera company. It is recognized for its excellent artistic productions of operatic repertoire that entertain and inspire audiences, featuring world-class operatic talent performing fresh, new productions.
The ALO has been recognized by the state of North Carolina for its educational programs through project grant support and for regional touring of its shows. These programs strive to bring opera to thousands of school-aged children each year throughout Western North Carolina. The ALO is also a leading touring opera company throughout the eastern part of the United States, endeavoring to bring this fine art form to smaller communities in the Southeast.
IF YOU GO: For more information, or to purchase season tickets, call (828) 236-0670 or visit the website at www.ashevillelyric.org.