FLORIDA GRAND OPERA PRESENTS A NEW PRODUCTION OF FRENCH COMPOSER JULES MASSENET’S WERTHER

Artist rendering of Werther and Charlotte. Florida Grand Opera, 2019

APRIL 27 – MAY 11, 2019 IN MIAMI AND FORT LAUDERDALE

Werther, Jules Massenet’s portrait of a passionate affection that will lead to tragedy, is the fourth and final production of the company’s 78th season. Werther (ver-TAIR) is scheduled for six total performances, four performances at the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Ziff Ballet Opera House from April 27 to May 5 in Miami and two performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Au-Rene Theater in Fort Lauderdale on May 9 and May 11, 2019.

An operatic tragedy of doomed love.

This is will be a new production by Florida Grand Opera, pairing international opera stars Dimitri Pittas and Daniela Mack. Overflowing with yearning and heartbreaking melancholy, Massenet’s most romantic tragedy is inspired by a true story of unrequited love originally penned by the genius of modern German literature, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Werther is the story of an idealistic poet who cannot live without love, and the object of his obsession, Charlotte.

Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack as Charlotte
Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack as Charlotte

FGO has celebrated Massenet in the past with productions of ManonThaïs, and of course, Werther (1973 with Carlo Bergonzi; 1982 with Nicolai Gedda; 1997 with Fernando de la Mora as the lovesick poet). One of the greatest French composers of the late 19th century, Massenet’s music brims with emotion and exquisite melody,  it was a major influence on Puccini’s style of composition.

Tenor Dimitri Pittas as Werther
Tenor Dimitri Pittas as Werther

Starring in the title role is Greek-American tenor Dimitri PittasOpera News recently wrote that “Pittas’ Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth at The Metropolitan Opera won unanimous raves.” This will be his operatic stage debut with Florida Grand Opera. Opposite him as Charlotte is Argentinian-American mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack, who dazzled audiences in her FGO debut in the Fort Lauderdale performances of Carmen in 2016.

The Creative Team:

Conductor Joseph Mechavich
Director Lawrence Edelson*
Production Florida Grand Opera
Set and Lighting Designer Michael Baumgarten*
Resident Costume Designer Howard Tsvi Kaplan
Wig and Make-up Designer Sue Schaefer
Assistant Conductor Deniz Uz*
Production Stage Manager Megan Bennett
Assistant Stage Manager Skye Cone
Assistant Stage Manager Hannah Holthaus
Projected English Titles Karl W. Hesser
Projected Spanish Titles Dreambay Enterprises

The Cast:

Werther Dimitri Pittas*
Charlotte Daniela Mack
Sophie Evan Kardon+
Albert Benjamin Dickerson+
Le Bailli Jake Gardner
Schmidt Dominick Corbacio+
Johann Rafael Porto+
Kätchen Mariya Kaganskaya+
Brühlmann Sean Galligan+

Performance Dates and Times:

Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami

1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Saturday, April 27, at 7pm

Tuesday, April 30, at 8pm

Thursday, May 2, at 8pm

Sunday, May 5, at 2pm

Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale

201 Southwest 5th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Thursday, May 9, at 7:30pm

Saturday, May 11, at 7:30pm

The Opera-Pre Talk will begin one hour before the scheduled performance time and will last for 30 minutes. After each performance will be an informative Q&A session hosted by Florida Grand Opera’s General Director and CEO, Susan T. Danis.

Tickets:

Tickets are on sale now. Tickets start at $15 in Miami and starting at $21 in Fort Lauderdale. Select your seat online at www.FGO.org or call the box office at 800.741.1010, Monday – Friday from 10am – 4pm. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Florida Grand Opera Box Office located at the Doral center at 8390 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33122.

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