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FLORIDA GRAND opera
Plácido Domingo Stars in FGO’s Gala
Night Performance:
Tenor to Sing One-Night-Only Luisa Fernanda Presentation on
November 15
MIAMI – Plácido Domingo joins the cast of Federico
Moreno Torroba’s Luisa Fernanda, a zarzuela co-production of
Florida Grand Opera (FGO) and the SaludArte Foundation, in a
special gala performance of the zarzuela that opens FGO’s
2011-2012 season. The world renowned tenor is scheduled to
sing the leading role of Vidal Hernando for a one-night-only
performance for A Zarzuela Gala on November 15, 2011.
Throughout his illustrious career, Domingo has done numerous
performances with FGO, including Aida in 1972, The Girl of
the Golden West in 1979 and Andrea Chénier in 1983. Having
last performed in Miami in 1991, his appearance with FGO
presents a truly unique opportunity for the South Florida
community.
“We are honored to welcome such a legendary artist as
Plácido Domingo, who has transcended the classical music
world to become a household name. A true advocate of the
zarzuela tradition, there is no better star to commemorate
Florida Grand Opera’s first zarzuela production,” said Bob
Heuer, FGO’s General Director and CEO.
One of the most influential and widely recognized classical
singers in history, Domingo’s repertoire encompasses 134
roles and 3500 career performances, including the famous
Three Tenors concerts of the 1990s. An equally distinguished
conductor, his baton has led more than 450 opera
performances and symphonic concerts. He is also a respected
opera administrator, serving as general director of Los
Angeles Opera and, until recently, Washington National
Opera.
With a personal investment in the tradition of zarzuela,
Domingo has made it a goal to “… introduce this wonderful
art form to new audiences … the music of my native Spanish
heritage is full of so many wonderfully entertaining works.”
More than the music of his homeland, zarzuelas were the
lullabies of Domingo’s childhood. His father and mother,
both highly respected zarzuela singers, traveled from Spain
to Mexico with Torroba’s company and sang the respective
leads in Luisa Fernanda. They established their own zarzuela
company in Mexico, where Domingo acquired his dedication and
love for the theater and began following in his father’s
footsteps – the greatest Vidal Hernando of his time.
LUISA FERNANDA
Luisa Fernanda premiered in Madrid’s Teatro Calderon in 1932
and is considered to be the last great romantic zarzuela.
The plot is set during the republican-monarchist conflicts
of 1868. The heroine, Luisa Fernanda, finds herself in a
love triangle with Javier, a dashing young officer in the
Queen’s army, and Vidal Hernando, a flirtatious and wealthy
landowner. When the republicans win the war, Javier’s place
on the side of the monarchy lands him in jail, and his
disappearance provides a chance for Vidal to win the leading
lady’s heart. Just days before the two are to wed, Javier
returns, and Luisa Fernanda is forced to choose between
them.
The production, from Madrid’s Teatro Real, has been seen at
Milan’s La Scala, Washington National Opera, and Los Angeles
Music Center Opera. It will be conducted by Pablo Mielgo and
with production by Emilio Sagi, a seasoned zarzuela director
whose grandfather originated the role of Vidal Hernando in
1932.
Accompanying Domingo’s Vidal will be Amparo Navarro as Luisa
Fernanda and Antonio Gandía as Javier. Àngel Òdena will play
the lead role of Vidal Hernando in all performances other
than the Zarzuela Gala. FGO’s production of Luisa Fernanda
made possible in part by a generous gift by J.P. Morgan
Private Bank.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
*Sung in Spanish with English & Spanish projected
translations*
MIAMI ◙ Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of
Miami-Dade County / Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera
House
November 12, 2011, at 7 p.m. – Opening Night;
November 15, 2011, at 7 p.m. – Gala Night with Placido
Domingo;
November 18, 22, 23, & 26, 2011, at 8 p.m.;
November 20, 2011, matinee at 2 p.m.
FORT LAUDERDALE ◙ Broward Center for the
Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
December 1, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.;
December 3, 2011, at 8 p.m.
GALA & TICKET INFORMATION
Reservations for the full Zarzuela Gala Evening, including
the Luisa Fernanda performance with Plácido Domingo, three
luxurious receptions, and the Dinner Dance on the Lynn
Wolfson Stage, begin at $1,500 per person. Tables for the
full evening range from $15,000 to $100,000. Reservations
for the full Zarzuela Gala Evening are currently available
only to Lyric Society donors of $1,500 and above. Zarzuela
Gala Evening reservations are subject to availability.
Tickets to the Zarzuela Gala Performance of Luisa Fernanda
only, ranging in price from $65 to $500, available to FGO
subscribers
as of September 19, 2011, and to the general public as of
October 17, 2011.
To reserve tables or individual tickets for the full
Zarzuela Gala Evening as well as sponsorship or underwriting
information, please contact Denise Courshon at (305)
854-1643 or
dcourshon@fgo.org . For information about Luisa Fernanda
performances, contact the Box Office by phone at (800)
741-1010 or online at
www.FGO.org .
About Zarzuela
Zarzuela is a form of Spanish musical theater tradition with
a distinguished history dating back to 17th century Spain
and the reign of King Philip IV. The works take their
inspiration from bourgeois life, giving them mass appeal.
They focus on sentimental or comedic themes and are
characterized by a mix of spoken dialogue and typical
Spanish rhythms for song and dance. Zarzuela’s vocal
requirements are decidedly operatic, and many of the world’s
leading Hispanic opera singers have appeared in and recorded
zarzuela.
About Florida Grand Opera
Florida Grand Opera was formed in June 1994 by the merger of
Greater Miami Opera, founded in 1941, and The Opera Guild
Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1945. Celebrating its
71st season of continuous performances during the 2011-2012
season, Florida Grand Opera stands as one of the oldest
performing arts organizations in Florida. In addition to
producing standard repertoire, Florida Grand Opera also
presents lesser known operas, as well as commissions and
produces new operas. Annually, main stage performances are
attended by nearly 70,000 people, and education and outreach
programs serve over 50,000 students. FGO offers several
highly successful outreach and educational programs,
including its internationally-recognized Young Artist
Studio. Founded in 1984, the program attracts young singers
who train and enhance their professional skills during a
35-week Miami residency
Florida Grand Opera, recognized for funding by the State of
Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs,
the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the
Arts. Funding is also provided, in part, by the Broward
County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the
Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale
Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade County
Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council,
the Mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County
Commissioners and the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development
Council. Program support is provided by the City of Miami
Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council.
Florida Grand Opera is a Resident Company of the Adrienne
Arsht Center for the
Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and a member company of
OPERA America.
American Airlines is the Official Airline, Intercontinental
Miami is the Official Hotel and Steinway & Sons is the
Official Piano of
Florida Grand Opera.
About SaludArte Foundation
The SaludArte Foundation is a nonprofit organization
patronizing the arts, by promoting it through the
development of artistic, educational, and social integration
programs. After its up start in 2003, SaludArte has
centralized its operations in Miami and Madrid, to better
serve the Ibero American region. Renowned personalities in
the art world, such as Jose Antonio Abreu, Plácido Domingo,
Carlos Cruz–Diez, and Michael Tilson Thomas, to name a few,
have participated in SaludArte’s artistic activities. The
Foundation has established working alliances with several
leading artistic institutions, such as the Teatro Real de
Madrid, the New World Symphony of Miami Beach, Florida Grand
Opera, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Venezuelan
System of Children and Youth Orchestras,
as well as several others.
SaludArte has served as an artistic platform for presenting
important events in the visual arts and classical music
fields. In the educational and social fields, thanks to the
guidance of its Social Programs Director, experienced
psychologist Vicente Galaso, SaludArte has created and
launched impacting pioneering programs by utilizing the arts
for social enhancement and better community integration of
participants. The SaludArte Foundation was started and is
Chaired by Tanya Capriles de Brillembourg, regarded as one
of the principal Iberoamerican philanthropists, because of
her passion and dedication for supporting the Arts and
children health care.
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