From TOLEDO OPERA
Toledo Opera’s 2024-2025 performance season will feature two main-stage productions.
The 66th season promises to be a captivating journey through the themes of love and war, featuring two iconic productions: “Tosca” and “South Pacific.” These timeless pieces offer Toledo Opera audiences an opportunity to delve into the complexities of human emotions amidst the backdrop of conflict and passion.
“Even though we are doing two productions next season, the shows we are presenting are classics and yet just as relevant as they were when they were written in 1900 and 1949 respectively. We are proud to celebrate the 7 th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize winning South Pacific” stated incoming General Director James M. Norman.
“Powerful story-telling, combined with extraordinary music, make both Tosca and South Pacific productions that Toledo Opera audiences should not miss,” added incoming Artistic Director Kevin Bylsma.
Two-show subscriptions and single tickets are available for purchase now at toledoopera.org or by phone at 419-255-7464. To learn more about the season, visit toledoopera.org.
“Tosca” by Gioachino Rossini
October 18 & 20
Valentine Theatre
With Puccini’s richly romantic score, Tosca is one of the world’s most loved operas. The year is 1800 and Rome finds itself caught in the middle of a war between Napoleon and the Austrian empire – leading some to flee from the police. Spying, double-crossing, and torture have become the order of the day.
Beloved opera singer, Floria Tosca would do anything to protect her lover, the painter Cavaradossi – a fact that the lustful police chief Scarpia is all too ready to exploit. When Cavaradossi is accused of harboring political prisoners, Scarpia implores Tosca to make an unthinkable decision. Little does he know how fiercely she will fight to protect herself and those she loves.
This heart-pounding new production is brought to life by stage director Jeffrey Buchman (Toledo Opera’s “Carmen,” 2018 and “La Bohéme,” 2020).
Starring Lindsey Anderson (The Ballad of Baby Doe) as Tosca, Brendan Boyle (Ragtime) as Cavaradossi, and Corey Crider (Cavalleria Rusticana) as Scarpia.
Sung in Italian with English Supertitles
“South Pacific” by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
February 14 & 16
Valentine Theatre
Just in time for Valentine’s Day and the 75th anniversary of its premiere, Toledo Opera presents “South
Pacific.” Winner of 10 Tony Awards in 1950 including Best Musical and Best Original Score, “South Pacific” debuts to Toledo Opera audiences in a new production brought to life by conductor J. Ernest Green and stage director James M. Norman. Based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book “Tales of the South Pacific.”
The musical follows two intercultural love stories: Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with Emile, a French plantation owner on the island who has two children from his late Polynesian wife; at the same time, U.S. Lieutenant Cable falls for a beautiful island native named Liat. Both Americans find themselves struggling to reconcile their own cultural prejudices with their amorous feelings, all the while under the dark cloud of a war that is coming ever closer to their island paradise.
Starring Claire Leyden as Nellie Forbush, Metropolitan Opera Baritone Keith Phares (“The Merry Widow”
and “Cinderella”) as Emile de Becque, and Mike Schwitter as Lt. Joseph Cable.
Sung in English with English Supertitles.
