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Minnesota Opera Resumes Season in January with first staging of The Capulets and the Montagues

In January The Minnesota Opera will resume its season with its first staging of The Capulets and the Montagues (I Capuleti e i Montecchi). The production features the international diva Sumi Jo in her Minnesota Opera debut as Giulietta and the return of Minnesota Opera favorite Vivica Genaux, who has charmed us as Cinderella and Arsace in recent seasons, in another pants role as Romeo.

The Capulets and the Montagues is one of Bel Canto composer Vincenzo Bellini's finest operas and continues The Minnesota Opera's newly founded commitment to producing operas from this beautiful and rich period. The opera explores the emotion and discord of the familiar tale of two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, trapped by their families' bitter feud. Though the libretto is based on the same source as Shakespeare's rendition, those who studied the Bard closely will notice a few differing details in Bellini's work.

The production also will bring some artist debuts to The Minnesota Opera stage: Arthur Woodley debuts as Capellio, and Carlo Scibelli makes his debut in the role of Tebaldo.

Bel Canto specialist Will Crutchfield conducts, and Thor Steingraber directs this coproduction with L.A. Opera and New York City Opera, which is designed by Robert Israel.

"Robert Israel is one of the world's major opera designers," said President and CEO Kevin Smith. "He was a visual artist originally and got his start designing operas through the Walker Art Center/Center Opera alliance way back when. This is his first time back with The Minnesota Opera in about 30 years."

"The production is fittingly cool, precious and sophisticated," said Dale Johnson, artistic director. "The opera itself is not inherently dramatic -- in many ways it epitomizes that whole Bel Canto self-indulgence, where singers revel in the gorgeous sounds of their own voices."

Costume Director Gail Bakkom describes the principals' costumes as simple and slightly evocative of 1915 period dress. As for the chorus, "The men are in tailcoats, and the women are sort of mysterious, shadowy hooded figures," she says.

Source: Minnesota Opera
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