1526 Broadway, Detroit, Michigan 48226 Phone 313-961-3500 Fax 313-237-3412 www.michiganopera.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laura Nealssohn laura@motopera.org 313/580-3315

CELEBRATING THE DiCHIERA LEGACY MOT KICKS OFF 46TH OPERA SEASON

CARMEN OCTOBER 15-23, 2016

*** 2016 Fall Opera Season Made Possible By Ford Motor Company

DETROIT, October, 2016…. Michigan Opera Theatre’s landmark 46th season, a

celebration of company founder David DiChiera’s extraordinary legacy, begins in grand

style with one of opera’s most beloved masterworks, Georges Bizet’s Carmen. The

opera, presented in four performances at the Detroit Opera House, October 15-23,.

will be sung in French with English supertitle translations projected above the stage.

Michigan Opera Theatre’s Fall Opera Season is made possible by Ford Motor

Company.

The cast of Carmen includes Michigan Opera Theatre debuts of mezzo-

sopranos, Ginger Costa-Jackson (Oct. 15, 19, and 22) and Sandra Piques Eddy (Oct.23),

in the title role. Costa-Jackson, a graduate of the Metropolitan Opera Lindmann Young

Artist Development Program, earned critical acclaim with a triumphant appearance as

“Carmen” with San Francisco Opera last season; Ms. Eddy has performed the role with

major opera companies throughout the United States. The role of Don José will be

sung by Argentine tenor Marcelo Puente (Oct. 15, 19, and 22), and Alok Kumar (Oct. 23).

Additional cast members include Cecilia Lopez (“Micaela”), Luis Orozco (“Escamillo”),

and Harry Greenleaf (“Morales”). Artists of Michigan Opera Theatre’s lauded Studio

program, Brent Smith (“Zuniga”), Angela Theis (“Frasquita”), Briana Elyse Hunter

(“Mercedes”), Jeff Byrnes (“El Dancairo”), Joseph Michael Brent (“El Remendado”) round

1526 Broadway, Detroit, Michigan 48226 Phone 313-961-3500 Fax 313-237-3412 www.michiganopera.org

out the cast. Celebrated conductor Valerio Galli, who conducted MOT’s 2014

Turandot, returns to the podium to conduct Carmen.

Stage director Ron Daniels, directed the original production in 2001 in a

collaboration with Houston Grand Opera, and returned to direct the company’s

acclaimed 2009 production. Set in the mid 20th Century, costumes are designed by

Outer Critics Circle Award winner Constance Hoffman, with stunning colorful sets by

Riccardo Hernandez.

A tragic tale passion and jealousy, Carmen is one of the most notorious operas

of all time. Premiering in 1875, the opera tells the story of Carmen, a sexy gypsy with a

fiery temper, whose beauty makes men irresistibly attracted to her. When an

inexperienced soldier, Corporal Don José comes along, he immediately falls in love

with Carmen and their relationship leads to a tumultuous and disastrous turn of

events. After the rejection of his former love, mutiny against his superior and a turn to

a life of crime, he ultimately, out of jealousy, murders Carmen.

In composing Carmen, Bizet thought this to be his masterpiece, even though it

was originally said to be a failure. Carmen is now one of the most beloved and most

performed operas of all time. The score includes the iconic Habañera and Torreador

Song.

TICKETS for Michigan Opera Theatre’s production of Carmen at the

magnificent Detroit Opera House range in price from $29 to $165, and may be

purchased in person at the Detroit Opera House Ticket office (1526 Broadway, Detroit,

48226), by phone at (313) 237-SING (7464) and online at www.MichiganOpera.org.

Georges Bizet’s Carmen

Saturday, October 15 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 19 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 22 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 23 2:30 p.m.

Michigan Opera Theatre, a non-profit organization, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and provides programs and services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. Michigan Opera Theatre is supported by private donations, foundation and corporate grants, the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal Agency.