Two regional premieres, the return of an Italian favorite and debuts of new works by American composers will highlight the 2015 Fort Worth Opera Festival, set for April 24-May 10, 2015. Main stage productions for the 69th season include Verdi’s La Traviata, returning to the FWOpera stage for its first production since the 2005-2006 season. The company also will produce the regional premiere of Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet, based on Shakespeare’s iconic play.
Building on the success of the first year of FWOpera’s Opera of the Americas initiative, the company will bring audiences the regional premiere of Dog Days – based on the short story by Judith Budnitz – by David T. Little and Royce Vavrek. “The 2015 Festival lineup is one I am proud to bring to our North Texas patrons and to offer to the larger opera community worldwide,” said General Director Darren K. Woods. “This season marks a bold step forward with three provocative works that challenge the human experience – from sacrificial love to testing the limits of one’s own humanity. From the traditional to the contemporary, each work is vivid and spectacular, showcasing exceptional singers, exquisite sets, brilliant staging, and a one-of-a-kind musical experience.”
The final week of the 2015 Festival will feature Frontiers, the company’s showcase for new works. Six to eight selected composers will be in residence at the Festival during the last week and their works will be presented in 20-minute performances sung by young artists of the 2015 Opera Festival and accompanied by piano on May 7-8. Each composer will attend the showcase and participate in a post-performance discussion. Composers will receive feedback on their work through private meetings with the Frontiers jury panel. Tickets for the 2015 Festival can be purchased online, by phone, or in person at the Fort Worth Opera office located inside the Fort Worth Community Arts Center at 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth. Season subscriptions range from $26 to $379 while single tickets range from $17 to $195. Subscriptions are available now and single tickets go on sale Aug. 1.
Founded in 1946, Fort Worth Opera is the oldest continually performing opera company in Texas, and one of the 14 oldest opera companies in the United States. The opera has been under the leadership of Woods since 2001. -Betty Dillard bdillard@bizpress.net