From TOLEDO OPERA
Toledo Opera will present a fall double bill of Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Valentine Theatre, 400 North Superior, Toledo. Both of these pieces explore the hardship and social constructs placed on women who do not conform to the rules of society and religion in their everyday lives. Toledo Opera will also host a free Pre-Opera Talk one hour before each show in the Grand Lobby of the Valentine Theatre. Local scholars provide historical context and insight and are available to take questions after the talk.
For tickets visit toledoopera.org.
Not seen by Toledo Opera audiences since 1982, Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” makes its triumphant return to the Valentine stage. Set in a convent in 17th century Italy, “Suor Angelica” is the tragic tale of a woman who bears a child out of wedlock and is sent to a convent to repent for her sins. Also dealing with societal and religious repression, “Cavalleria Rusticana” centers around the tempestuous relationship between villagers Santuzza, Turridu, Lola, and Alfio. Mascagni’s work is set in a 19th century Sicilian village. Both of these one-act operas end in tragedy and are conducted by Maestro Geoffrey McDonald and staged by director Keturah Stickann. “Suor Angelica”stars soprano Jill Gardner as Angelica and contralto Lauren Decker as the Principessa. , “Cavalleria Rusticana stars soprano Jill Gardner as Santuzza, tenor Brian Cheney as Turridu, baritone Corey Crider as Alfio, and contralto Lauren Decker as Mama Lucia. Both of these operas will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Both “Suor Angelica” and , “Cavalleria Rusticana” star American soprano Jill Gardner. Gardner sits among today’s leading operatic heroines. Ms. Gardner is consistently hailed for her portrayals of the leading ladies of the verismo repertoire and Puccini heroines alike. Considered one of the great interpreters of the title role of “Tosca”, she last appeared on the Valentine Theatre stage as Tosca in Toledo Opera’s 2014 production.
Lauren Decker, who will sing the roles of Principessa and Mama Lucia, is a rising star possessing a booming contralto with “amber low notes” that is in a league of its own. She is lauded for “pouring out a dark, chocolatey sound with plushness of tone and amplitude of voice rarely heard in a young singer.”
Hailed by KUSC Los Angeles as the “next great tenor,” Brian Cheney, protégé of legendary tenor Jerry Hadley, will star in “Cavalleria Rusticana” as Turridu. “It is tenor Brian Cheney as the brave painter Cavaradossi who really blew me away. Cheney has that terrific tenor sound: the power, richness, and vocal color of a high baritone combined with ringing, awe-inspiring high notes” (Stage and Cinema).
Baritone Corey Crider will star in the role of Alfio in “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Mr. Crider has appeared with such companies as The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Dayton Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and many more. Mr. Crider has been described as a “dark and handsome baritone [with the] voice to match: brave, sure, and deeply resonant” (Herald-Tribune Sarasota, Florida).
Singing the role of Lola in “Cavalleria Rusticana”is Toledo Opera 2022-2023 Resident Artist Imara Miles. Hailed for her expressiveness and lush sound, Imara Miles, mezzo-soprano, is originally from the Washington DC area. With experience in both operatic and musical theater repertoire, Ms. Miles has been a young artist of programs such as The Glimmerglass Festival, Grant Park Music Festival, and Pensacola Opera.
For Toledo Opera’s Executive Director Suzanne Rorick, it is the viewpoint from which these stories will be told that will make this a truly special evening. “Toledo Opera is thrilled to be bringing in highly sought-after director, Keturah Stickann,” said Rorick. “Keturah has established herself as a leading director of both the classical and contemporary operatic repertoires, which will allow her to tell this very old story from a new and unexpected perspective. The vitality she brings to these classic pieces will set them apart from any other production of “Suor Angelica” and “Cavalleria Rusticana”. The women in both of these pieces come from a time in history within which women were expected to live their lives according to a very narrow set of standards. The importance of women’s ability to determine their own destinies is still very much an evergreen topic, and we are so excited to tell these stories through a modern female lens.”
This production is made possible by Key Bank Trustee Walter E. Terhune Memorial Fund.
