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Toronto, ON…Opera Atelier reunites the stars of its hit
production of Idomeneo - Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman,
American male soprano Michael Maniaci and Croatian tenor
Krešimir Špicer – in North America’s first period production of
Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. This new production runs for six
performances only April 22, 23, 26, 27, 30 and
May 1, 2011 at
Toronto’s Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street). All performances
begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the Sunday, May 1
matinee at 3 p.m.
This thrilling story of desperate intrigues, unrequited love and
heart stopping reversals of fortune is taken directly from Roman
history. Roman aristocrat Vitellia plots the assassination of
Tito, Emperor of Rome. When the plot ultimately fails, Tito’s
forgiveness of his enemies catches all off guard, turning the
opera’s theme into one of clemency and redemption. In Mozart’s
lifetime, La Clemenza di Tito enjoyed enormous success in
Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Naples, St. Petersburg, Paris and
London.
Soprano Measha Brueggergosman sings the role of the fiercely
determined Vitellia. More than 3 billion people witnessed her
epic performance at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic
Games which cemented her international standing as a fresh and
dynamic ambassador for classical music. She has garnered
world-wide acclaim as much for her innate musicianship and
voluptuous voice as for her incomparable stage presence. Ms
Brueggergosman’s second solo recording, Night and Dreams, was
recently nominated for a Juno award.
Croatian tenor Krešimir Špicer appears as Tito, a role he has
previously sung to acclaim in Amsterdam, Aix-en-Provence and
Luxembourg. Other recent highlights include Arturo in Lucia di
Lammermoor in Los Angeles, Ulisse in Berlin and the title role
in Oedipus Rex with Opera du Rhin.
American male soprano Michael Maniaci sings the role of Sesto,
Tito’s friend who is desperately in love with Vitellia. The New
York Times recently proclaimed Maniaci “…headed for a major
career” following his overwhelming success in Glimmerglass
Opera’s production of Imeneo. Earlier this year, Maniaci
released his debut solo album “Mozart Arias for Male Sopranos”
on Telarc Records to international critical acclaim.
Canadian soprano Mireille Asselin who starred as Galatea in OA’s
fall production of Acis and Galatea sings the role of Servilia,
Sesto’s sister. Servilia is in love with her brother’s friend,
Annio, a trouser role sung by mezzo-soprano Mireille Lebel.
Bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan, who celebrates 25 years
performing with Opera Atelier, appears as Publio, Commander of
the Praetorian Guard. The production also showcases the
company’s full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet.
The creative team for La Clemenza di Tito includes director
Marshall Pynkoski, choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, set
and costume designer Gerard Gauci, and lighting designer
Bonnie
Beecher. Maestro David Fallis conducts Tafelmusik Orchestra. The
production will be sung in Italian with English SURTITLESTM.
Tickets for La Clemenza di Tito are $33 to $166 and can be
purchased by calling TicketMaster at 416-872-5555, on-line at
www.ticketmaster.ca or
at the Elgin Theatre box office. Operatix are $20 and may be
purchased by people under age of 30 in person at the Elgin
Theatre Box Office (subject to availability) or purchased on
line with the code OPERATIX. Valid I.D. is required to pick up
Operatix tickets. Group discounts (15 people +) are available by
calling 416.703.3767 ext. 22. For more information visit
www.operaatelier.com.
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Measha
Brueggergosman with stellar cast in Opera Atelier’s: 
