Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Rachele Gilmore Sings "I Puritani" For Knoxville Opera

Manucharyan and Gilmore in Tennessee
"Musically, Bellini’s score is filled with achingly beautiful vocal moments and its share of vocal gymnastics. In what seems to be a natural progression in casting, the Knoxville Opera production brings soprano Rachele Gilmore back to Knoxville as Elvira. Audiences will remember Gilmore for a sensational Lucia in last season’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Returning, too, from that production is baritone Nelson Martinez in the role of Sir Richard Forth. Making his KO debut in the vocally high-altitude role of Elvira’s lover, Arturo, is tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan. Singers already familiar to Knoxville audiences will be Daniel T. Berry as Lord Walton, Elvira’s father; Harry House as Bruno; and Lorraine Di Simone as Henrietta, the widow of the executed Charles I. James Marvel, who directed last season’s rollicking Barber of Seville, returns as stage director. The music director and conductor is KO executive director Brian Salesky." Performances are April 8 and 10. For more information go to the official website. [Source]