Toronto, ON…The devil is no match for a strong-willed woman in Antonin Dvorak’s comic masterpiece THE DEVIL AND KATE. Opera in Concert presents the Canadian Premiere of this late period opera by the great Czech master at 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the St. Lawrence Centre. “Opera in Concert concludes its 38th season with a rousing finale sure to leave OIC patrons with a smile on their faces”, said OIC’s Silva-Marin from an early chorus rehearsal for the big crowd scenes in THE DEVIL AND KATE. OIC production will be presented in the Ian Gledhill English version used for the Wexford Festival, Ireland.

Pianist and Music Director Michael Rose will lead a cast featuring Marion Newman as Kate. Ms. Newman was hailed for her performance in last season’s world premiere of GIIWEDIN for Native Earth Theatre and can be heard in the title role on OIC’s recording of GRISLEDA. She is joined by Giles Tomkins as the ineffectual devil Marbuel, Adam Luther* as the daring shepherd Jirka, Hillary Coote as The Princess, Dean Adema* as Lucifer, Karen Bojti* as Kate’s Mother, Jeffrey Sanders* as Gatekeeper, Jonathon Dick as the Steward, Beste Kalender as Chambermaid, and Gregory Finney as a Musician. Dvorak has written extensively for the chorus in this work and the Opera in Concert Chorus under Robert Cooper will bring these scenes vividly to life. *debut

After Rusalka, THE DEVIL AND KATE is Dvorak’s most popular opera and premiered at the National Theatre of Prague in 1899. Though he composed stage works throughout his career, his fame rests mainly on his symphonic output and his operas reflect his extraordinary talent for colour and dramatic nuance. Based on a folktale with libretto by Adolf Wenig, THE DEVIL AND KATE is a village comedy but with a twist - Kate goes to hell and the devil will do anything to get rid of her! Bumbling devils are a feature of Czech literature and Kate terrorizes Lucifer’s realm to such an extent that the lord of Hades will make any deal he can to send her back to her village. At the height of his powers, Dvorak charges the score with grandly scaled choruses, dances and folk like melodies that linger long in the mind.

Don’t miss the pre-concert chat – THE BACKGROUNDER – with host Iain Scott 45 minutes before each show, a chance to learn about the opera, the composer and the musical culture of the times.

Opera in Concert is supported by the Jackman Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, The Toronto Arts Council and by our PATRONS CIRCLE Donors. Subscriptions and single tickets are available from the St. Lawrence Centre’s Jane Mallett Theatre Box Office, 27 Front St. East, by phone – 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754 – or online at www.stlc.com. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and close to public transit and municipal parking. All performances are on Sunday afternoons at the St. Lawrence Centre at 2:30pm.