Brit mezzo Alice Coote to sing Massenet's "Werther" at SFO instead of Elina Garanca
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA ANNOUNCES ALICE COOTE, WORLD RENOWNED BRITISH MEZZO
REPLACES ELINA GARANCA IN NEXT SEASON’S NEW PRODUCTION
OF MASSENET’S WERTHER
SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2010—San Francisco Opera today announced prominent British mezzo-soprano Alice Coote will now star as Charlotte opposite celebrated Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas in next season’s new production of Jules Massenet’s French opera, Werther. Ms. Coote replaces previously announced Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca, who was to have made her Company debut but cited personal reasons for her withdrawal from the San Francisco Opera engagement.
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“I am very pleased to welcome back to the War Memorial Opera House stage Alice Coote, a highly accomplished and extraordinary artist who has had two very big successes with us beginning with Alcina in 2002 and with Idomeneo in 2008,” said San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley. “Her magnificent artistry has been acclaimed around the world for her repertory ranging from Charlotte, Sesto and Octavian, to her recent triumph as Hansel at the Met. We are very honored to feature her in our new production.”
Ms. Coote’s extensive performing credits of leading roles with the world’s premiere opera companies include London’s Royal Opera, Covent Garden and English National Opera; Glyndebourne; Deutsche Oper Berlin; Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet; New York’s Metropolitan Opera; San Francisco Opera; Lyric Opera of Chicago; and the companies of Salzburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Cardiff and Amsterdam.
Regarding Ms. Garanca, Mr. Gockley commented, “It pains me greatly to announce that Ms. Garanca has chosen not to appear in next season’s Werther as promised. She is a glamorous young star who has created a stir in Europe and at the Metropolitan Opera, and I was looking forward to presenting her West Coast debut. However, after extensive discussions with her management and having filed a grievance through the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), I am satisfied that the financial settlement we have reached disposes of the matter.” A series of European concerts has been recently announced on Ms. Garanca’s website during the Werther performance schedule.
San Francisco Opera will present a new production of Massenet’s Werther for six performances September 15—October 1, 2010 as part of the Company’s 88th season. The opera will be directed by Francisco Negrin and conducted by Emmanuel Villaume in a co-production with the Lyric Opera of Chicago designed by Louis Désiré. Joining Mr. Vargas and Ms. Coote in the cast will be Heidi Stober as Sophie, Brian Mulligan as Albert, and Christian Van Horn as the Bailiff.
For additional information about San Francisco Opera, visit www.sfopera.com.
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