Prima Donna
Presented by New York City Opera
Part of the 2012 Winter/Spring Season
Feb 19, 2012 at 1:30pm
Feb 21, 23 & 25, 2012 at 7:30pm
US Premiere
Composed by Rufus Wainwright
Libretto by Rufus Wainwright and Bernadette Colomine
Conducted by Jayce Ogren
Production by Tim Albery
“There are inspired touches and disarmingly beautiful passages in this mysterious, stylistically eclectic work.” —The New York Times
Rufus Wainwright makes his first foray into opera with Prima Donna, a meditation on the fine line between fame and failure. “[A] love song to opera, soaked in the perennial operatic themes of loss, betrayal, delusion and nostalgia, and saturated in the musical styles of opera’s golden age” (The Times, London), this work is presented by City Opera in its US premiere after thrilling audiences at the Manchester International Festival, Sadler’s Wells, and Toronto’s Luminato Festival.
Rising star Melody Moore sings the tour-de-force role of a once-acclaimed soprano, haunted by her past success and her present reality as she seeks to return to the spotlight. Director Tim Albery leads this new production featuring a French language libretto by Wainwright and Bernadette Colomine.
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Run time: 2hrs 25min with intermission
French with English titles
All remaining tickets*: $25
*Thanks to a generous gift from The Reed Foundation and The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation.
Please note: premium seats are available to donors of New York City Opera at $500 or more. If you are interested in premium seating, please contact New York City Opera’s Member Services by calling 212.870.5626
Associate direction by Joanna Turner+
Set and Costume Design by Antony McDonald+
Lighting Design by Thomas C. Hase+
Movement directed by Philippe Giraudeau+
Cast
Régine Saint Laurent: Melody Moore
Marie: Rebecca Bottone+
Andre le Tourneur: Taylor Stayton+
Philippe: Randal Turner+
+debut artist
Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Sadler’s Wells, Luminato: Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, and Melbourne International Arts Festival.
This rental event is presented by New York City Opera. BAM house and ticketing policies may not apply.
