For Immediate Release: November 1, 2010

Contact: Janet Wilson, (504) 529-2278 ext. 225 janet@neworleansopera.org

A TRULY TALANTED FLUTIST: NEW ORLEANS OPERA PRODUCTION

OF MOZART’S THE MAGIC FLUTE TO FEATURE SCENIC BACKDROPS PAINTED BY LPO FLUTIST AND WATERCOLOR ARTIST, PATTI

ADAMS. SNEAK PEAK NOVEMBER 14, 2010 at the Garden District Gallery

(NEW ORLEANS, LA – November 1, 2010) – When Mozart’s Magic Flute takes the

stage in November it will feature backdrops by New Orleans flutist and artist Patti Adams.

“Both Mozart’s elegant music and the exquisite architecture and magnificent live oak trees of New Orleans’ neighborhoods and parks have been my inspiration,” LPO flutist Adams said. “The sensuality of Mozart’s music found a resonance for me

within the images that surround me daily. I have painted what I live.” A gallery showing of selected works from this series is scheduled for Sunday,

November 14 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Garden District Gallery located at 1332 Washington Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130. This event is co-sponsored by the New Orleans Opera Association and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to her flute and piccolo work with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra,

Patti Adams is an award-winning member of the Louisiana Watercolor Society. Opera Maestro Robert Lyall “proudly commissioned Patti to design colorful interpretations” for this production.

The Magic Flute is the New Orleans Opera Associations’ second production

of it 2010-2011 season and is onstage November 19 and 21 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. Soloists include Sean Panikkar, Matthew Worth, Sarah Jane McMahon, Emily Hindrichs, Raymond Aceto and

Chauncey Packer. The production is directed by Jay Jackson, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Robert Lyall and it features the New

Orleans Opera Chorus lead by Carol Rausch. “This wondrous fairy tale for all ages is one of Mozart’s greatest works,” Maestro

Lyall said. “It explores man’s strength and frailty. It is profound, yet charming; serious, yet comic.” It premiered in Vienna in 1791 and had 197 performances

within two years. For information and tickets, call the opera office at 529-3000. In the spring, the

New Orleans Opera will present The Pearl Fishers and Il Trovatore. All operas feature Super Titles, simultaneous English translations of the libretto. Tickets start

at just $20. This program is supported by a grant from the

Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts

Council. The grant is administered through the Arts Council of New Orleans.

Quick Facts: Original Language – German, Composer - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Librettist – Emanuel Schikaneder, Description - Opera in 2 Acts, Time - An unknown time,

Place - An unknown location, Premiere Date - September 30, 1791, Premiere Location - Freihaustheater auf der Wieden, Vienna, Notes - The premier of Die

Zauberflöte, after which Mozart only had another 10 weeks to live, was followed by the most successful run of any of his operas, 197 performances in two years.

Highlights for remainder of season:

New ticket prices, starting at $20 The Pearl Fishers to feature a ballet sequence from New

Orleans Ballet Theater

Critically acclaimed stars from last seasons Tosca reunite with the beloved Verdi opera Il Trovatore

Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (Les Pêcheurs de Perles)

8:00 PM January 28, 2011 2:30 PM January 30, 2011

Sponsored by Betty S. and James A. Noe, Jr. Foundation Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The Story:

Set in exotic Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), this opera by the composer of Carmen boasts one of the most famous and beautiful duets in the repertoire. Two men renew their vows of friendship, even though both have fallen in love with the same woman. In

the end, one man will make the ultimate sacrifice for the other. The ballet component of this production will feature New Orleans Ballet Theater.

The Artists: Leïla, Lisette Oropesa; Nadir, Leonardo Capalbo; Zurga, Liam Bonner;

Nourabad, Kenneth Weber; Director/Conductor, Robert Lyall with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Master Carol Rausch with the New Orleans Opera

Chorus. Quick Facts:

Original Language – French, Composer - Georges Bizet, Librettist - Eugène Cormon and Michel Carŕe, Description - Opera in 3 Acts, Place - Ceylon (sri

Lanka), Premiere Date - September 30, 1863, Premiere Location - Théâtre Lyrique, Paris, Notes - Bizet's most successful opera apart from Carmen, it is notable for its colorful and exotic orchestration, and for its great friendship duet, Au

fond du Temple Saint, one of the most famous in all opera.

Verdi's Il Trovatore

8:00 PM April 1, 2011 2:30 PM April 3, 2011

Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The Story: Music reigns supreme in this perennial Verdi favorite that has triumphed on stages the world over. It’s virtuso arias, bracing and heartfelt duets and trios delight us in

addition to enhancing one of the most intriguing plots in all of opera. Returning to the New Orleans Opera stage with this masterpiece are soprano Mary Elizabeth

William and baritone Mark Ruck (paired in last season’s Tosca) with mezzo-soprano Irina Mishura and tenor Renzo Zulian.

The Artists: Count di Luna, Mark Rucker; Leonora, Mary Elizabeth Williams; Manrico, Renzo

Zulian; Azucena, Irina Mishura; Director, Bernard Uzan; Conductor, Robert Lyall with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; Chorus Master Carol Rausch with the New Orleans Opera Chorus.

Quick Facts:

Original Language – Italian, Composer - Giuseppe Verdi, Librettist - Salvatore Cammarano and Leone Emanuele Bardare, after the play el Trovador by Antonio

Garcia Gutiérrez, Description - Opera in 4 Acts, Time - Early 15th Century, Place - Biscay and Aragon, Premiere Date - January 19, 1853, Premiere Location - Teatro Apollo, Rome, Notes - The success of the premier surpassed even that of

Rigoletto, and the speed with which Il Trovatore swept the world was even more sensational.

All performances on the Plácido Doming Stage inside the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts.