Romeo and Juliet, Charles Gounod's classic French opera of Shakespeare's tragic play, will open Opera Colorado's 30th anniversary season on Saturday, February 9th, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. Other performances are slated for Tuesday, February 12th, and Friday, February 15, also at 7:30, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 17th.
Juliet will be sung by Ava Pine, the soprano who made her debut in Opera Colorado last season in The Marriage of Figaro. Tenor Giuseppe Varano will sing Romeo in his first appearance in Opera Colorado. This production is conducted by Robert Wood and directed by Bill Murray. The opera will be sung in French with English and Spanish translations on the back of every seat. Tickets ($160, $110, $75, $50, $20) are available online at OperaColorado.org and by calling Opera Colorado Ticket Services at 303.468.2030.
Music historian Betsy Schwarm will present an in-depth look at the opera one hour prior to each performance; and after each performance, General Director Greg Carpenter and Director of Artistic Operations Brad Trexell will host talk-backs, answering questions from the audience. Opera-goers are asked to take seats in the front section of the orchestra for these informative talks, which are free for those with tickets.
A popular event surrounding all Opera Colorado productions is the Meet the Artists series, where the public is invited to a free discussion with the director, conductor and members of the cast moderated by General Director Greg Carpenter. This will take place with the stars of Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. at The Studio Loft at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 908 14th Street near Champa Street.
The Four Seasons Hotel will host the opening night dinner at 5 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person for cocktails, a four-course meal and an exclusive VIP cast party following the performance in the Chambers Grant Salon. For information and tickets, contact Meghan Benedetto at 303-778-7086.
The Westin Denver Downtown is offering a Romeo and Juliet Romance Package starting at $284 that includes overnight accommodations, two tickets to Romeo and Juliet (February 15) and a $50 food and beverage credit. To make a reservation, call Opera Colorado Ticket Services at 303.468.2030.
On Thursday, February 14th at 10:00 a.m., a sold-out audience of 2,000 school children will be treated to an abridged, 90-minute matinee performance of Romeo and Juliet performed by the Opera Colorado Young Artists. The performance features the five Young Artists covering all of the major roles with members of the Opera Colorado Chorus backed by the Opera Colorado Orchestra conducted by Robert Wood. A talk back with the students will take place immediately following the matinee.
Colorado Public Radio will broadcast Romeo and Juliet live from the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Sunday, February 17th beginning at 2:00 p.m. Tune in at KVOD 88.1 FM or www.cpr.org.
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