Opera Grand Rapids Announces Their Eclectic New Season

Opera Grand Rapids 2016-2017 season certainly features an eclectic mix.  There will be two fully-staged operas, a Vocal Arts Series of intimate operatic concerts, and diverse programming aimed to entice a variety of audiences.

The season begins October 14 and 15 with the unconventional tango opera, “María de Buenos Aires,” followed by the company’s second series of three vocal arts performances. Nearing out the end of the season, Opera Grand Rapids will present a classically-staged presentation of “The Barber of Seville,” at DeVos Performance Hall, May 12 and 13.

“María de Buenos Aires,” is considered to be a hybrid of opera, tango and surrealism. The  80-minute opera is a surreal spiritual journey set to the beat of Argentine tango. Opera Grand Rapids’ production features Colombian-born Catalina Cuervo, known as “the fiery soprano,” in the star role.

The Opera Grand Rapids’ production will be presented in a newly renovated Betty Van Andel Opera Center, located on East Fulton Street, set to resemble a milonga, or a place where tango is danced. Valet parking will be available to patrons for the performances.

Tickets to “María de Buenos Aires” are on sale now. Advance tickets are available for $40 or $45 on the day of the performance. Student tickets are available for $5 on the day of the performance only.

The other fully produced production will be fan favorite, “The Barber of Seville.” Returning to the Opera Grand Rapids stage for the second time is mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson in the lead role of Rosina.

Distinguished Director Bernard Uzan will also return to present a traditional setting of Rossini’s comic masterpiece in a collaborative production with Opera Carolina and Toledo Opera.

The first part in the legendary “Figaro” trilogy, “The Barber of Seville” centers around a nobleman’s quirky attempts to woo the beautiful young Rosina away from the clutches of her overprotective guardian.

The Opera Grand Rapids’ production will be presented at DeVos Performance Hall in May. Tickets to “The Barber of Seville” start at $25, with student tickets available for $5.

Returning for a second season are Vocal Arts Series performances at the Betty Van Andel Opera Center. The series begins in January with New York’s Polydora Ensemble, presenting Romantic-era opera, choral and symphonic repertoire for vocal and piano quartet. Two returning members, tenor Nils Neubert and pianist Yuri Kim, performed at the company’s concert of Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise” last January.

The last performance in the series features Opera Grand Rapids Emerging Artists in an opera fusion performance. Opera Grand Rapids Emerging Artists include young artists making prestigious debuts across the country, returning performers, and previous Opera Grand Rapids Collegiate Vocal Competition winners.

Individual tickets for Opera Grand Rapids Vocal Arts Series are $30 or $35 on the day of each performance. Student tickets are available for $5 on the day of the performances only.

Tickets for Opera Grand Rapids’ 2016-17 season are available through the Opera Grand Rapids Box Office, (616) 451-2741 or 1320 East Fulton Street. For additional details, including cast lists and production synopses, visit operagr.org.