Music Academy to Present New Production of La Bohème
For Immediate Release July 10, 2007
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Two performances will take place at the Lobero Theatre
Santa Barbara, CA- The Music Academy of the West will present a fully staged production of Giacomo Puccini's timeless La Bohème at the Lobero Theatre on Friday, August 3, and Sunday, August 5. The August 3 performance will begin at 7:30 pm; the August 5 performance will begin at 2:30 pm. Tickets for both performances will cost $68. An open dress rehearsal will take place at The Lobero on Wednesday, August 1, beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets for that event will cost $33.
Arguably the world's most popular opera, La Bohème premiered in 1896. Set in Paris' Latin Quarter and focused on the lives of idealistic young artists, the opera is remarkable for its blend of gaiety and pathos, comedy and passion, beautiful score and involving story line. The Music Academy last presented La Bohème in 1987. "Bohème is the B in the ABCs of opera. Everyone should see it!" said celebrated mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, who is celebrating her 10th year directing the Academy's renowned Voice Program.
Conductor Christopher Larkin will make his second consecutive Academy appearance, as will stage director Casey Stangl. The pair worked together in the same capacities on the Music Academy's 2006 production of Il viaggio a Reims. Mr. Larkin has appeared as guest conductor with the Santa Fe Opera (La Traviata), Washington Opera (Samson et Dalila, I Puritani), New York City Opera (Don Giovanni, La Bohème), Houston Grand Opera (Tosca, Romeo et Juliette, Le Nozze di Figaro), Portland Opera (Il viaggio a Reims and Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Boston Lyric Opera (East Coast premiere of Todd Machover's Resurrection), Nashville Opera (La Bohème), and Lake George Opera (L'Italiana in Algeri). This season, he debuted with the Florentine Opera for Il Barbiere di Siviglia and with the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for Little Women. Named Artist of the Year by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Best Director by City Pages and Lavender magazine, Ms. Stangl directed the American premieres of Darwin in Malibu and Barbra's Wedding for Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre in Burbank. Her opera credits include Dialogues of the Carmelites for Fort Worth Opera and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein for Northstar Opera. She also served as assistant director for Frank Corsaro's production of The Marriage of Figaro at Juilliard Opera Center.
Mark Somerfield, a resident designer for the Music Academy, Opera Santa Barbara, and State Street Ballet, is designing the lighting. Jean-Francois Revon, in his first engagement with the Music Academy, is the production's scenic designer, and Stacie Logue, in her third year working with the Academy, is the costume coordinator. The set will be custom built.
"This is an entirely new production, which has added significantly to the excitement," said Ms. Stangl. "In terms of the set, we decided early on that we wanted to stay in period. That said, we've opted for an elegant, spare approach to staging, one that we believe will enable us to focus on and accentuate the mood and emotional depth of the characters and their story. The emphasis will be on lush lighting and a pared-down, stylized set."
The 24 young artists who will perform in the production - chosen from among more than 460 applicants as part of the Academy's Voice Program audition process - represent some of today's finest singing talent. The 35-member orchestra will consist of Music Academy instrumentalists. The production also will feature singers from the Santa Barbara Children's Chorus.
The Music Academy of the West is celebrating its 60th anniversary with an unprecedented 2007 season program featuring numerous classical music luminaries. Highlights include performances by violinist Gilles Apap, baritone Thomas Hampson, and the Takács Quartet, and conducting turns by Jeffrey Tate and Alexander Lazarev.
For tickets and information, call 969-8787. Information is also available online at www.musicacademy.org.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and students receive full scholarships. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many have established themselves as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and students; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
###
