FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09 JANUARY 2014
CONTACT: Daniel Zillmann, 612.342.1612 or [email protected]
Verdi’s Macbeth opens January 25
Soprano Brenda Harris and bass-baritone Greer Grimsley star as the treacherous
Macbeths in this Italian masterpiece based upon Shakespeare’s classic thriller
What:
Macbeth by composer Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with English surtitles projected above the stage
Where:
Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
When:
Saturday, January 25, 7:30pm
Thursday, January 30, 7:30pm
Sunday, February 02, 2pm
Tickets:
$20 – $200. Call the Minnesota Opera Ticket Office at 612.333.6669,
Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm, or purchase online at mnopera.org.
Media:
An online press kit (available now on Dropbox at mnop.co/mnoperapressroom)
includes artist headshots, marketing artwork and other useful resources.
Tuesday, January 28, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 01, 8pm
Contact Communications Manager Daniel Zillmann to take advantage of the following
interview, photo and video opportunities at dress rehearsals at Ordway:
Wednesday, January 22, 7:30pm and Thursday, January 23, 7:30pm.
Preview: Minnesota Opera hosts its Social Media Preview for bloggers, tweeters and social media
savvy individuals on Thursday, January 23, 6pm. Beginning with refreshments and a
pre-rehearsal discussion on the Mezzanine Level at Ordway with special guest, Minnesota
Opera Music Director Michael Christie, the event continues with exclusive access to the
final dress rehearsal of Macbeth. R.S.V.P. online at mnop.co/preview by January 21.
Minneapolis—Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its first production of 2014. Verdi’s dark-hued
Macbeth examines the corrosive consequences of tyranny. At the urging of his wife, Macbeth murders the
king to claim the crown. His desperate and deadly reign of terror devastates his country and hastens his
doom in this masterwork based upon Shakespeare’s classic thriller.
Bass-baritone Greer Grimsley (The Flying Dutchman) makes his long-awaited return as the ambitious
and sinister King of Scotland with soprano Brenda Harris (Nabucco) as his scheming wife, Lady Macbeth. American bass-baritone Alfred Walker (The Magic Flute) returns to Minnesota Opera as Banquo,
continued ...
Macbeth, p. 2
the one-time ally Macbeth betrays in his lust for power, and tenor Harold Meers (La bohème) is Macduff, Lord of Fife
and foil to Macbeth. Joel Ivany (Nabucco) directs a new Minnesota Opera production with costumes by Camellia
Koo (debut), lighting by Jason Hand (debut) and projections by Sean Nieuwenhuis (debut). Michael Christie
conducts the Minnesota Opera Orchestra.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Christie
Stage Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel Ivany
Scenic Associate and Costume Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Camellia Koo*
Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Hand*
Projection Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean Nieuwenhuis*
THE CAST
Macbeth, general in the Scottish army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greer Grimsley
Lady Macbeth, his wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Harris
A servant; A murderer; A doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christian Zaremba+
Macduff, Lord of Fife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harold Meers
Banquo, general in the Scottish army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alfred Walker
Malcolm, son to King Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Robert Lindsey+
Lady-in-waiting to Lady Macbeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shannon Prickett+
Three apparitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matthew Opitz+, Christie Hageman+, Riley Eddins*
A herald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matthew Opitz+
Fleance, Banquo’s son . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Riley Eddins*
*Minnesota Opera Debut
+Minnesota Opera Resident Artist
To learn more about Macbeth ...
Please visit mnop.co/macbeth. There you will find casting updates, artist biographies, synopses, background notes,
audio and video clips, ticketing services and other company information.
The 2013–2014 Minnesota Opera season is sponsored by Ascent Private Capital Management of U. S. Bank.
Minnesota Opera combines a culture of creativity and fiscal responsibility
to produce opera and opera education programs that expand the art form, nurture artists,
enrich audiences and contribute to the vitality of the community.
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