SALOME, ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO and More Set for Utah Opera's 2013-14 Season

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth today announced Utah Opera's complete 2013-2014 season on Classical 89.1 FM, during which the company will celebrate 35 years of opera in Utah.

The new season will feature five productions from October 2013 through May 2014: Richard Strauss' "Salome," Kathleen Cahill's "Fatal Song," Giuseppe Verdi's "La Traviata," Giacomo Puccini's "Turandot" and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio." These productions will be performed at the Capitol Theatre, Abravanel Hall and the Jeanne Wagner Theater in Salt Lake City, due to Capitol Theatre renovations taking place in the fall of 2013.

"We have the great opportunity to thank our community for 35 years of support and engagement with a truly unique and exciting new season," said Christopher McBeth, Utah Opera Artistic Director. "With five productions that range from grand and stirring to witty and intimate, there is sure to be something for everyone."

The season will open with deception, power and seduction October of 2013 with a semi-staged performance of Richard Strauss's chilling one-act opera, "Salome," based on Oscar Wilde's play of the same name. This large scale opera will be performed a select number of nights in Abravanel Hall with minimal sets and full costumes.

Then, the season continues in November 2013 with a special run of "Fatal Song," a lighthearted cabaret opera about some of opera's favorite divas written by Salt Lake Acting Company's Resident Playwright Kathleen Cahill. These performances, part of Utah Opera's ongoing American Opera Initiative, will be offered in the Jeanne Wagner Theater in a more intimate setting than most opera patrons have ever experienced.

In January of 2014, Utah Opera returns to the Capitol Theatre with Verdi's tragic and beloved "La Traviata," as Parisian courtesan, Violetta, eats, drinks and is merry until love and consumption turn her world upside down. This production of "Turandot" will be a remount of Utah Opera's October 2006 production.

In March of 2014, Utah Opera audiences will journey to an exotic land with Puccini's "Turandot", as an Asian prince almost loses his head in an attempt to marry the cruelly beautiful princess Turandot. Having received rave reviews in Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Seattle, this co-production of "Turandot" is sure to be a highlight of the season.

The season closes in May 2014, with Mozart's witty blend of comedy and drama in a production of "The Abduction from the Seraglio" Created by Arizona opera.

McBeth also announced a few key casting decisions for the season. Soprano Marcy Stonikas will perform the role of Salome with Stewart Robertson conducting. Soprano Maida Hundeling will sing Turandot with Renaud Doucet directing. Other cast and artistic staff information for each opera will be announced at a later date.

Season tickets for the 2013-2014 Utah Opera season will go on sale February 6 and can be purchased by calling 801-533-NOTE (6683) or by visiting www.utahopera.org. Seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Current Utah Opera subscribers will receive renewal forms via mail in early February.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera offers two social and networking organizations for classical music enthusiasts, Vivace (young professionals who enjoy classical music performances and exciting after-parties with USUO musicians) and Cadenza (single music-lovers who have reached their golden years but are still young at heart).

Vivace subscribers receive discounted tickets to select Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performances, special program notes, and after-parties with guest artists and musicians, catered by some of Salt Lake's best restaurants. Vivace subscribers will attend the opening night performance of "Salome" on October 18, 2013.

Cadenza members receive similar benefits and dine together at local restaurants before select Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performances. Cadenza subscribers will attend a performance of "Turandot" on March 21, 2014.

FULL SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES:

Salome

By Richard Strauss

October 18, 2013 | 7:30 p.m.

October 20, 2013 | 2 p.m.

Abravanel Hall

(Sung in German with English translations projected above the stage)

Fatal Song

By Kathleen Cahill

November 11 and 14 | 7:30 p.m.

November 17 | 4 p.m.

Jeanne Theatre, Rose Wagner

La Traviata

By Giuseppe Verdi

January 18, 20, 22 and 24, 2014 | 7:30 p.m.

January 26, 2014 | 2 p.m.

Capitol Theatre

(Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage)

Turandot

By Giacomo Puccini

March 15, 17, 19 and 21, 2014 | 7:30 p.m.

March 23, 2014 | 2 p.m.

Capitol Theatre

(Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage)

The Abduction from the Seraglio

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

May 10, 12, 14 and 16, 2014 | 7:30 p.m.

May 18, 2014 | 2 p.m.

(Sung in German with English translations projected above the stage)