By Giacomo Puccini
Miami – Adrienne Arsht Center • November 13, 16, 19, 21(m), 24, 27, 2010
Fort Lauderdale – Broward Center • December 2 & 4, 2010

Photo by Deborah Gray Mitchell

The Ice Princess Turandot challenges the Unknown Prince to answer her three riddles, and he succeeds where so many others have failed. In the famous aria, “Nessun dorma,” he in turn challenges her to learn his name.

This production’s Turandot, Lise Lindstrom, and Calaf, Frank Porretta, thrilled Metropolitan Opera audiences this past season, and local favorite Elizabeth Caballero returns to sing Liù. The conductor of FGO’s recent Lucia di Lammermoor, Ramon Tebar, returns to lead this outstanding cast.

This production is made possible by a gift from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation.

By Jacques Offenbach
Miami – Adrienne Arsht Center • January 22, 25, 28, 30(m), February 2, 5, 2011
Fort Lauderdale – Broward Center • February 10 & 12, 2011

Photo by Jeffrey Dunn

One of the best-loved French operas, Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann brings the stories of E.T.A. Hoffmann to life. Hoffmann regales his friends in the tavern with the stories of his three past loves while the current object of his desire, Stella, is performing in the opera house nearby. By the time he has told of his romantic defeats with the mechanical doll Olympia, the passionate but doomed singer Antonia, and the Venetian courtesan Giulietta, he is overcome with drink. The opera over, Stella enters the tavern to acclaim, but the stupefied Hoffmann loses his love yet again when his archenemy Lindorf spirits her out the door on his arm.

This outstanding cast includes the dazzling soprano Elizabeth Futral in a tour-de-force portrayal of all four of Hoffmann’s loves. Canadian tenor David Pomeroy is Hoffmann, and bass-baritone Bradley Garvin sings the four villains. Mezzo-soprano Katherine Rohrer will sing The Muse/Nicklausse. Cuban-American Lucy Arner conducts in her FGO debut.

This production is made possible by a gift from Stephen Keller and Lesleen Bolt in loving memory of Stephen.

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Miami – Adrienne Arsht Center • April 16, 22, 27, 30, May 3, 8(m), 2011
Fort Lauderdale – Broward Center • May 12 & 14, 2011

Photo by Karin Cooper

Considered by many to be the most perfect opera ever written, Mozart’s Don Giovanni continues to thrill audiences today as it did at its premiere in 1787. Don Giovanni was the second collaboration between Mozart and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte following their success with The Marriage of Figaro. Mozart used the story of the infamous lover, Don Juan, to create one of opera’s most vivid characters and one of the world’s most popular operas.

Following his success at the Metropolitan Opera, David Pittsinger returns to Florida Grand Opera to sing a favorite role. He was last seen at FGO as Scarpia in Tosca. Bassbaritone Tom Corbeil joins the cast as the Don’s servant Leporello. Andrew Bidlack, who returns as Don Ottavio, made his FGO debut as Almaviva in the 2009/2010 season’s The Barber of Seville. Jonathan G. Michie, who first appeared with FGO in Lucia di Lammermoor in 2010 returns as Masetto, and Morris Robinson, who was seen in FGO’s 2006 Rigoletto and Aida productions, returns as the Commendatore. The production will be led by conductor Andrew Bisantz.

This production is made possible by a gift from Randy Gage.

By David DiChiera
Miami only– Adrienne Arsht Center • April 23, 26, 29, May 1(m), 4, 7, 2011

Photo by John Grigaitis

The story of Cyrano de Bergerac has inspired many interpretations in the theater and on film. Edmond Rostand’s famous play provided the inspiration for composer David DiChiera’s new opera, with a libretto in French by Bernard Uzan. Premiered in 2007, this very romantic opera has received standing ovations from audiences in Detroit and Philadelphia. Cyrano, a nobleman skilled in both sword and pen, has an unsightly large nose. Despite his desperate love for the beautiful Roxane, he agrees to help his younger rival, the handsome Christian, win her heart.

DiChiera wrote the roles of Cyrano and Roxane for baritone Marian Pop and soprano Leah Partridge, both of whom will reprise their critically-acclaimed world premiere performances at FGO. South Florida favorite, Leah Partridge, currently on the Metropolitan Opera roster, has given FGO audiences many memorable performances, including those in Lakmé and La sonnambula. Mark Flint, who orchestrated the opera and led the world premiere production, will conduct in his FGO debut.

This production is made possible by a gift from the estate of Muriel Rosen.