A new Bohème by innovative director Mariusz Trelinski, the Washington premiere of Bolcom's A View From the Bridge, Ildar Abdrazakov doing double-duty as Leporello and Don Giovanni (with his brother by his side), Alan Held's first performances as Wagner's doomed Flying Dutchman, Plácido Domingo singing Handel's greatest tenor role — these are among the highlights of the 2007-08 season at Washington National Opera.
Domingo, who is the company's general director, announced the season in a press conference at the Library of Congress.
The season opens with on September 15 with Trelinski's staging of Puccini's La Bohème. The Warsaw-based film, theater and opera director has previously done acclaimed productions of Andrea Chénier (2004) and Madama Butterfly (2001, revived 2006) in Washington; his Bohème will be updated to the present day. Crossover tenor Vittorio Grigolo will get a chance to demonstrate his serious opera chops in the role of Rodolfo, alternating with Arturo Chacón-Cruz. Sopranos Adriana Damato and Sabina Cvilak, both in their company debuts, share the role of Mimì; Hyung Yun and Luca Salsi alternate as Marcello; 2005 Cardiff Singer of the World Nicole Cabell and soprano Alyson Cambridge will take turns as Musetta. Emmanuel Villaume, the music director for opera and orchestra at Spoleto Festival USA, will conduct the ten performances through October 2; the matinee performance on September 23 will be simulcast onto a large high-definition screen on the National Mall.
Source: Playbillarts
