Boston Lyric Opera Announces 2023-2024 Season (Boston, MA.)
Boston Lyric Opera
Announces
2023-2024 Season
SUBSCRIPTIONS/TICKETS
Four- and three-part opera subscriptions (known as “Quartet” and “Trio” packages) are on sale now at BLO.org or by contacting Audience Services at boxoffice@blo.org or 617-542-6772. Individual tickets go on sale in July.
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
ABOUT THE SHOWS
“MADAMA BUTTERFLY”
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA (BLO) opens its 2023/24 Season with a four-performance, two-week run of Giacomo Puccini’s “MADAMA BUTTERFLY” – a title the company has not presented since 2012.
The production is directed by Phil Chan who makes his opera directing debut, with dramaturgy by BLO Artistic Advisor Nina Yoshida Nelsen, filmmaker/author Arthur Dong (Forbidden City, USA and Hollywood Chinese), and Indiana University Associate Professors Karen Inouye (Director, Asian American Studies Program) and Ashlyn Aiko Nelson.
Chan’s production brings the story of Butterfly and American Naval Officer B.F. Pinkerton into the world of 1940s California, where many Japanese Americans lived, and racial prejudice was heightened by World War II.
Butterfly is a performer in a historically inspired world of Chinatown nightclubs of the time that employed Asian American artists and drew white American audiences by promising exoticism.
Butterfly and Pinkerton fall in love before he must leave her – and a son he never knew – for military duty in the Pacific Rim.
Swept up in a wave of xenophobia, Butterfly waits for her lover’s return.
Chan says this new production tells a decisively American story. “All the characters in this 'BUTTERFLY' are American citizens, and none of the story takes place in Japan – or anywhere outside California,” he says. “As we look to keep the artform thriving, we need to make its stories relevant to the audiences and the people of our time, while making sure the timeless Puccini score is still heard.”
This production of “MADAMA BUTTERFLY” is the first to be informed by “The Butterfly Process,” BLO’s extensive exploration of how opera companies can build intentional and authentic productions that invite everyone to participate, inspire new thinking, and strengthen both communities and audiences through the music and stories presented.
Casting for “MADAMA BUTTERFLY” includes Karen Chia-Ling Ho as Butterfly, Dominick Chenes as Pinkerton; Alice Chung as Suzuki, Troy Cook as Sharpless, Rodell Rosell as Goro and Vera Savage as Kate Pinkerton.
Additional casting will be announced later.
The artistic team for “MADAMA BUTTERFLY” includes Set Designer Yu Shibagaki, Costume Designer Sara Ryung Clement, Lighting Designer Jeannette Oi-Suk Yew and Choreographer Michael Sakamoto.
“MADAMA BUTTERFLY” will be conducted by BLO Music Director David Angus and presented at the Emerson Colonial Theater
Performances:
September 14, 2023 through September 24, 2023
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
“LA CENERENTOLA (CINDERELLA)”
One year after writing his opera buffa The Barber of Seville, Gioachino Rossini composed a take on this fairy tale love story that dispenses with the fairy dust and focuses on the wisdom of the human heart.
No pumpkin carriages or mice-becoming-horses in this version; instead, says conductor and BLO Music Director David Angus, the magic comes in the form of Rossini’s heartfelt, uplifting score and the simple libretto by Jacopo Ferretti.
Boston-area Stage Director Dawn M. Simmons – nominated for several 2023 Elliot Norton Awards for her direction of “K-I-S-S-I-N-G” at The Huntington and several other projects with Front Porch Arts Collective, where she is Co-Producing Artistic Director – will helm the production in her BLO debut and her first foray into opera.
Casting for “LA CENERENTOLA” includes: Cecelia Hall as Angelina, the title character; Levy Sekgapane as Don Ramiro, the Prince of Salerno; Levi Hernandez as Dandini; and Brandon Cedel (seen in BLO’s 2019 The Rape of Lucretia) as Don Magnifico, the Baron of Montefiascone and Angelina’s stepfather.
Additional casting will be announced later.
“LA CENERENTOLA (CINDERELLA)” plays three performances at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater.
Performances:
November 8, 2023 through November 12, 2023
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
"THE ANONYMOUS LOVER”
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges is having a moment.
The new biographical film Chevalier tells the story of this musically and romantically prolific composer whose opera “THE ANONYMOUS LOVER” debuted in 1780.
Based on an 18th century French play, the opera and its source material has set the stage for secret-epistolary love stories in plays, Broadway musicals, Hollywood films, and other mediums.
Recent attention on Bologne’s life story, and the enduring appeal of his opera’s charming romance has brought “THE ANONYMOUS LOVER” back into repertoires across the country.
The story revolves around the wealthy young widow Léontine who is being pushed to remarry, and rejects offers from unsuitable suitors until she becomes intrigued by letters from a secret admirer.
“Joseph Bologne was a competent, serious composer and a big star in his time,” says BLO Music Director David Angus. “While somewhat better known for his concertos, Bologne wrote five or six operas…only one of which survives. Bologne certainly knew of W.A. Mozart, and is often compared with him. But he actually worked with Joseph Haydn, negotiating the commission of Haydn’s Paris Symphonies, a collection of works that Bologne also edited and conducted in their premiere. 'THE ANONYMOUS LOVER' is an accessible, very charming story with beautiful arias.”
With a libretto by François-Georges Fouques Deshayes, Desfontaines,“THE ANONYMOUS LOVER” is a co-production with Opera Philadelphia – sung in French with English dialogue and surtitles.
Casting for “THE ANONYMOUS LOVER” includes Nardus Williams as Léontine and BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist alumnus Omar Najmi as Valcor.
Dennis Whitehead Darling is Stage Director; David Angus conducts.
Additional casting to be announced later.
“THE ANONYMOUS LOVER” plays three performances at The Huntington Theatre.
Performances:
February 16, 2024 through February 18, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
“EURYDICE”
Composer Matthew Aucoin and librettist Sarah Ruhl’s adaptation of the Greek myth of “EURYDICE” and Orpheus is based on Ruhl’s 2003 play of the same name that refocuses the original story’s narrative on Eurydice’s perspective.
Aucoin, who will also conduct the BLO Orchestra, grew up in Boston and, at age 33, has become one of the country’s most-watched young opera composers.
After attending the show’s Metropolitan Opera performance in 2021 (it premiered at LA Opera in 2020), BLO General Director & CEO Bradley Vernatter approached Aucoin to discuss a new chamber edition (in collaboration with Opera Grand Rapids) that would create a more immediate and intimate experience.
“Rethinking 'EURYDICE' in this way is part of BLO’s tradition of creating intimate productions of pieces like Bluebeard’s Castle or Lizzie Borden that were originally at larger scales,” Vernatter says. “Matthew and Sarah have created a beautiful opera rooted in the classical tradition, with a story that reflects contemporary sensibilities.”
Casting for “EURYDICE” includes Sydney Mancasola in the title role, David Portillo as Hades, and Mark S. Doss as Father.
Additional casting to be announced.
The commission of “EURYDICE” is supported in part by a gift from Pat and Bill O’Connor.
The production is sung in English with English surtitles and will run for five performances over two weekends at The Huntington Theatre.
Performances:
March 1, 2024 through March 10, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
ALL SEASON LONG BOSTON LYRIC OPERA (BLO) plans a series of educational and enlightening public events connected to its programming throughout the season.
From school- and library-based artist visits, to events in collaboration with the Boston Public Library and other partners, BLO is committed to increasing insight and access to opera across the city.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING
In its ongoing move to become a four-season opera producer, creating music events and public activities between its mainstage performances, BOSTON LYRIC OPERA is planning an additional concert for Spring 2024, the details of which will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT BOSTON LYRIC OPERA
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA (BLO) inspires, entertains, and connects communities through compelling opera performances, programs, and gatherings.
VISION
To create operatic moments that enrich everyday life.
VALUES
Boldness - We tell evocative stories through music and drama on a large scale and in unexpected settings. We celebrate the rich history of opera and promote adventurousness, which advances the art form, accesses our imaginations, and inspires new thinking.
Collaboration - Opera is deeply interconnected storytelling, music, and design on an ambitious level that requires many people’s artistry, technical skill, passion, participation, and support. We nurture creative people and partnerships that are diverse in thinking and experiences, and we provide structure and support for everyone to thrive.
Connection - We nurture a vital ecosystem of relationships and exchanges that elevate the human experience and impact people. These connections are the force that strengthens us and our communities.
Learning - We seek opportunities to learn new ideas and expand our minds, which drives progress. We create time and space to listen, engage and grow together.
Belonging - We are committed to storytelling that reflects a wide variety of perspectives and identities and invites everyone to participate. We create welcoming and accessible spaces that celebrate the uniqueness of our communities.
Administrative Office
15 Channel Center St. # 106
Boston, MA 02210
WEBSITE: www.blo.org
