The opera makes its Seattle debut, with music and lyrics by Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti oft compared to Puccini. When this Pulitzer-winning drama debuted in 1950, America was in the throes of a Cold War-yet the story of a woman trying to secure a visa so her family can flee a police state still resonates today.

Tenor Francesco Demuro-who sings Rodolfo in next month’s La Bohème-is the Duke on opening night, with soprano Davinia Rodríguez (Lucia in 2010's Lucia di Lammermoor) as Gilda and Italian baritone Marco Vratogna in the title role. Last seen at McCaw Hall in 2004, Verdi’s tragedy pits a vengeful court jester against the world when his daughter Gilda falls prey to the womanizing Duke of Mantua. These two homegrown stars, former SO Young Artists, perform against a backdrop originally designed for the Teatro Comunale di Bologna that sets the comedy in the 1940s. Both return this year, with p rincipal guest conductor Asher Fisch-who led the orchestra in this season's Turandot and Fidelio-making his American Ring debut with Seattle Opera.ĭonizetti's comic opera, about an orphaned girl raised by French soldiers, brings soprano Sarah Coburn and tenor Lawrence Brownlee together for the first time since their turn as young lovers in 2011's The Barber of Seville. Much has been said of the Northwest-inspired 'green' set by Tom Lynch, all towering trees and rocky mountains high in the distance, and the traditional vision of director Stephen Wadsworth. Preseason Odds: Super Bowl +800 O/U: 10.Seattle Opera has presented 35 cycles of the Ring since the days of its founding director, Glynn Ross, and the latest incarnation (seen in 2001, 2005, and 2009) consistently soars. Head Coach/VP of Football Ops: Pete Carroll (Head Coach has personnel authority)Įxecutive VP/General Manager: John Schneider (Head Coach has personnel authority)

Other Notable Asst.: Kippy Brown (Wide Receivers), Tom Cable (Assistant HC/Offensive Line), Marquand Manuel (Defensive Assistant), Ken Norton (Linebackers), Kris Richard (Defensive Backs), Robert Saleh (Defensive Quality Control), Carl Smith (Quarterbacks) and Sherman Smith (Running Backs)

Seattle opera 2013