Tonight's the Night!

Tonight, Friday, September 25, 2009 the Brown Theatre will be transformed into a grand opera house when Kentucky Opera opens the 2009 Brown-Forman Fall Season with La Traviata.

We have extremely limited seating for this evening as the Grand Gala has everyone all excited (and rightly so) but there are great seats still available for Sunday, September 27 at 2pm. Call for tickets 502.584.7777 before they're gone!

Here are some pictures from the Final Dress Rehearsal by O'Neil Arnold.

*SPOILER ALERT!!!

Some photos may reveal specific plot elements of the story.

Kentucky Opera Chorus looks and sounds amazing on the stage of the Brown Theatre. This is the party that opens act I and these are the people that helped make it look so good:

Stage Director: James Marvel
Set Design : Edwardo Sicango
Costume Design: John Lehmeyer
Lighting Design: Jeff Bruckerhoff
Wig & Make-Up Design: Sue Stitko Shaefer
Choreographer: Diana Dinicola

Metropolitan Opera star, Elizabeth Futral stars at Violetta, and Sébastien Guèze makes his U.S. Debut as Alfredo.Sempre libera degg'io at the end of Act I


Donny Ray Albert as Garmond in Act II.



Sébastien Guèze Act II scene 2


Flamenco Louisville dances in the end of Act II

*Unfortunately, she dies at the end...


There are more pictures on our Facebook Fan page.

Otello rehearsal

The image above is from the first Otello piano dress rehearsal, the first run through with the full chorus full sets, costumes, wigs and makeup. The directors and designers can finally see how everything works together and make changes as needed. Apparently in this rehearsal, they had to change Cassio's wig and the lighting was on the red side at one point. I think they got it worked out by the Final Dress Rehearsal for Students last night (Wednesday). The Student Dress is a great opportunity for students to see the entire opera for a LOW price and it gives the cast an opportunity to work out the kinks of the performance with a live audience. Most of the students we get for these are in high school and college and are usually very responsive. Much of the audience last night was comprised of three choirs from Fort Knox high school. They all seemed extremely eager to be at the center and dressed up like it was prom night.

The video below is from Kentucky Opera's last Otello rehearsal in Todd Hall. Its the drinking song from act I and Christian Reinert, playing Cassio, does a great job acting drunk in this.

Let there be light!

Life for me is grand today as it may be for any of you who also have power restored at home. While I was out of town to attend my niece’s wedding my lights come on sometime yesterday afternoon and life seems complete again. Although, after a week of learning to not miss the background noise, I wonder if I can keep the TV off and a good book in front of me.

If you did not see the article in yesterday’s paper, Andrew Adler interviewed Donnie Ray Albert about his role of IAGO and the challenges of recreating one of Shakespeare’s most contemptible antagonists. The link to the archival copy of Andrew’s article is here.

Tuesday September 23 @ Noon, the first Lunchtime Arias @ Vincenzo’s sponsored by the Kentucky Opera Guild. Only $20 so call Tracy Terry, 584-4500 or email her at tracy_terry@kyopera.org for reservations.

Wednesday, September 24, @ 7:00pm, Student Dress Rehearsal for Otello

Friday, September 26, @ 6:00pm, President’s Council Dinner in the North Lobby of the Kentucky Center for Otello For reservations call Michael Miller, 584-4500 or email him at Michael_miller@kyopera.org

Friday, September 26, @ 8:00pm, in Whitney Hall, OteLLO For tickets call 584-7777, or visit our websight www.kyopera.org

Friday, September 26, @ 11:00pm, @ Proof, Cast Party for Otello

Sunday, September 28, @ 2:00pm, in Whitney Hall, Otello

See you all at the Opera!

David Roth