Opera North Celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love

Nemorino is head over heels in love with Adina, an arrogant and wealthy landowner. Complicating Nemorino’s situation is the pompous Belcore, a military sergeant who proposes to Adina upon meeting her, and a snake oil salesman, Dr. Dulcamara. Nemorino will try anything to make Adina return his affection, including spending his last dollar on a love potion, sold by Dr. Dulcamara, which is really just cheap wine. Nemorino’s inebriated state brings out the best in his charming character, which intrigues and eventually captivates Adina. In the end, boy gets girl and love triumphs.

This lighthearted comedy will be sung in Italian, with English supertitles. The production marks Opera North’s debut both of the opera and the composer, and will be conducted by Anthony Barese; David Cushing, who brilliantly portrayed the title role in last summer’s The Marriage of Figaro, will return to sing Dr. Dulcamara, joined by Metropolitan Opera soprano Ashley Emerson as Adina.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I

Opera North pays homage to its roots and its history of presenting operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan, and American musical theater with the spectacular Rogers and Hammerstein hit, The King and I.

Anna Leonowens, an English schoolteacher sent to Siam to teach the many children in the royal palace, clashes with their father the King, who is striving to bring his country into the modern age. The two find themselves bound together not just by conflict but also by a love that neither is able to express.

Directed by Catherine Doherty of Northern Stage, this production features classically-trained singers, the full Opera North orchestra conducted by Louis Burkot, a full complement of Upper Valley children and community members, and dancers from the Lebanon City Center Ballet.

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Mozart’s The Impresario

The Impresario revolves around the classic conflict between singers and the theater manager who must cast them. In this one-act opera, two sopranos apply for the same role, both giving superb displays of their abilities. Trouble ensues when the impresario likes them both and they quarrel. A compromise is eventually made by splitting the character of the opera in two so both singers enact the part on the stage at the same time.

This hilarious opera will be presented by Opera North’s Young Artists at venues throughout the Upper Valley, including the Hood Museum. This opera will also be performed at the Lebanon Opera House as part of a double-bill with The Cunning Little Vixen, accompanied with string quartet and piano.

Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen

Opera North’s Young Artists will also present excerpts from Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, the most charming opera inspired by a children’s book. The opera tells the story of an elderly forester who rescues a young vixen. This touching tale of the cycle of life in a European forest features a brilliant score and characters as varied as the forest itself.

Opera North will present this piece (accompanied by two pianos) at a multitude of venues, including Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vermont and on stage at the Lebanon Opera House as part of a double-bill with The Impresario.