Opera Colorado to Present Gounod's ROMEO AND JULIET, 2/9-17

Opera Colorado to Present Gounod's ROMEO AND JULIET, 2/9-17 Opera Colorado opens its 30th Anniversary Season with Charles Gounod's classic French opera Romeo and Juliet at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Soprano Ava Pine, who made her Opera Colorado debut last season in The Marriage of Figaro, stars alongside Italian tenor Giuseppe Varano, making his Opera Colorado debut, as the ill-fated young lovers from Shakespeare's tragic tale. This production is conducted by RoBert Wood and directed by Bill Murray.

Featured cast include John McVeigh as Tybalt, Stephen Morscheck as Capulet, Daniel Belcher as Mercutio, Marcia Ragonetti as Gertrude, Kevin Langan as Friar Laurence, Brenda Patterson as Stephano, Geoff Cox as the Duke of Verona, and Opera Colorado Young Artists Alex DeSocio and Jared Guest as Paris and Gregorio, respectively.

Audiences have four chances to experience this production: 7:30 p.m. performances on Saturday, February 9th; Tuesday, February 12th; and Friday, February 15th; as well as a 2:00 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, February 17th. The opera is sung in French with English and Spanish subtitles at 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.

Pre-and post performance lectures are offered each night of Romeo and Juliet. One hour prior to each performance, music historian Betsy Schwarm will speak about the opera. Immediately following each performance General Director Greg Carpenter and Director of Artistic Operations Brad Trexell will host a talk back where they will take questions from the audience. Both events take place in the front center section of the orchestra and are free for ticket holders.

Ancillary Events Surrounding Romeo and Juliet:

The public has an opportunity to Meet the Artists of Romeo and Juliet at a free discussion about the opera on Wednesday, January 30th at 11:00 a.m. taking place at The Studio Loft at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 908 14th Street near Champa Street. General Director Greg Carpenter will moderate the talk featuring the director, conductor, and members of the cast.

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