Two renowned sopranos with Alabama connections will headline Opera Birmingham's 2010-11 season.
Elizabeth Futral, whose star power has spread to television, recordings and opera stages worldwide, will return to Samford University, where she graduated in 1985. She will perform in a solo recital in November in the intimate Brock Recital Hall.
In March, Susanna Phillips stars in Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." It will be her first time acting in the title role, although she sang it in a concert performance in her home town of Huntsville. In April, the Birmingham native received the $50,000 Beverly Sills Award from the Metropolitan Opera. The Birmingham native has sung with Opera Birmingham the past two seasons, between engagements with the Metropolitan, Chicago Lyric and Santa Fe Operas.
The season includes two fully staged operas -- Gounod's "Faust" and "Lucia."
"'Faust' and 'Lucia' are going to be new productions," said General Director John Jones. "I've just gotten the final draft of the 'Lucia' set. For 'Faust,' we're talking to a designer about a much more multi-media set. It lends itself to that. 'Faust' is one of those operas that doesn't have to be at a time and a place. It's a morality play that can take place anywhere."
Israel Gursky, an assistant conductor with Washington Opera since 2001, will conduct "Faust." Dona Vaughn, director of opera programs at Manhattan School of Music, will be the stage director. "Lucia" will be conducted by Andrew Altenbach, who recently debuted with the Atlanta Symphony, and Opera Birmingham regular Kathleen Clawson will direct.
Among other season highlights, Steven White, a former Opera Birmingham conductor who is now a Metropolitan Opera assistant, will conduct a Wagner concert in April, and Birmingham-area natives Corey McKern and Elias Hendricks will return "Home for the Holidays" in December.
Here are the details:
Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. Great Singers: An Evening with Elizabeth Futral
. Brock Recital Hall. Gala concert is available only to Opera Birmingham season subscribers. $50, $100.
Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m. Home for the Holidays
. Brock Recital Hall. With tenor Elias Hendricks, baritone Corey McKern and others sing holiday favorites. $15-$50.
Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 30, 2:30 p.m. Gounod, "Faust."
Wright Center, Samford University. French with projected English translations. Alabama Symphony, Opera Birmingham Chorus. Israel Gursky, conductor; Dona Vaughn, director. $25-$90.
March 18, 7:30 p.m.; March 20, 2:30 p.m. Donizetti, "Lucia di Lammermoor."
Wright Center. Italian with projected English translations. Alabama Symphony, Opera Birmingham Chorus. Andrew Altenbach, conductor; Kathleen Clawson, director. $25-$90.
April 16, 7:30 p.m. The Great Wagner Concert
. Wright Center. German with English translations. Alabama Symphony, Steven White, conductor. Lori Phillips, Jane Dutton, Roy Cornelius Smith. $20-$80.
Season subscriptions are $99-$300 (Elizabeth Futral concert is additional cost for subscribers). For more information, call 322-6737 or go to
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