Hawaii Opera Theatre announces the 2015-16 Opera Season

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Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), the Islands’ only major operatic company, announces the 2015-2016 Opera Season, themed Things Are Not As They Seem.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s eternally popular and entertaining tale of love, The Magic Flute, opens the season on October 9, 11 & 13. Metropolitan Opera Stage Director Daniel Rigazzi created this new and innovative production, which follows the love-struck Tamino on his quest to rescue the lovely princess, Pamina. Accompanied by an affable bird-catcher, Papageno, and possessing a mystical flute, Tamino must brave several trials, certain to reveal far more than simple matters of the heart. Set in a fictitious Egypt, this fairy-tale sings of the classic struggle between good and evil, the power of music, and the pursuit of noble virtues. Originally debuting in September of 1791, Mozart’s final opera continues to captivate operagoers of all ages with its elegant balance of mystery and whimsy, and stunning music.

The magic continues February 12, 14, & 16, 2016 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Benjamin Britten’s inventive interpretation of Shakespeare’s comic play. Set in dual locations, a mythical Athens, and an enchanted forest, this playful fantasy explores three very different realms – that of the fairies, of the nobility, and of the working class. When the Fairy King, Oberon, introduces a magic flower to the land, madness ensues as unlikely romances blossom. Originally debuting in June of 1960 at the Aldeburgh Festival, Britten gave new life to a charming classic. This production will be under the stage direction of HOT’s award-winning Artistic Director, Henry Akina, marking his 20th year with the company.

The season concludes with Giuseppe Verdi’s epic masterpiece Il Trovatore. Set in the Spanish Middle Ages, this is a complex story of love and revenge. When her mother is unjustly sentenced to death, Azucena knows only vengeance. Meanwhile, star-crossed lovers Manrico and Leonora defend their union in this exciting story of mistaken identity. Originally premiering in January of 1853 at the Teatro Apollo, this production is elevated by intense passion and drama.

HOT is known for bringing some of the world’s finest voices to the Honolulu.  Making her HOT debut this season, So Young Park stars as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Park will be ready for the role as she stars in this Summer’s acclaimed Glimmerglass Festival’s production of the opera in New York.  Last season’s breakout stars Rachel Schutz (Papagena, The Magic Flute) and Kyle Erdos-Knapp (Flute, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) take the stage once again this season joined by Metropolitan opera talent and HOT favorites Jamie Offenbach (Theseus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Michael Chioldi (Count di Luna, Il Trovatore). Curt Olds (Papageno, The Magic Flute) and Victoria Livengood (Azucena, Il Trovatore) also make their return to Honolulu. Olds and Livengood thrilled audiences during 2014’s modern take on The Mikado. 

Join us on this enchanting journey through three fantastical tales. Subscribe today by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858.  From now through Oct. 1, 2015, New Season Subscribers can receive a special Buy 2, Get 1 Free discount.

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