Destiny takes a dark turn next weekend as Opera Orlando opens its ninth season with an adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic tale of ruthless desire and murder, Verdi’s Macbeth. Headlined by Metropolitan Opera baritone Norman Garrett and soprano Mary-Hollis Hundley as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, this all-new production is led by stage director Matt Haney and conductor Mark Sforzini. Something wicked does indeed this way come to Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center, October 25 and 27. Individual tickets are on sale now.
“There is no better way to start our season than with another Verdi masterpiece,” states Opera Orlando general director Gabriel Preisser. “Verdi himself wrote ‘...Macbeth I loved more than any of my other operas,’ and it is easy to see why. It is such a fantastic, deep character study for both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth set against a savage, war-ravaged, and supernatural landscape, and we have quite the Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Norman and Mary-Hollis, making their role debuts with us.”
Driven by his need for power and the prophecy that he is destined to reign, Macbeth and his wife plot to hasten their prospects, murdering the current king to usurp the throne. This opera is a tour de force for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they explore the darker side of human emotion and experience, as well as deliver some of the most intense and athletic singing in the repertoire.
Opera Orlando audiences already know Mr. Garrett is more than up to the task, as he proved when he sang the role of Escamillo in the Company’s 2021 production of Carmen. Since then he has continued to be a rising star on the operatic stage, with his booming baritone and commanding presence earning him the title of “scene-stealing” from the New York Times. His exciting career has included performances as Jim in Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera, Foreman/adult James in Fire Shut Up in My Bones at both the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera, the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro at Seattle Opera, and a recent concert performance of Carmina Burana with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall. Immediately following this production Mr. Garrett returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago to sing the role of the Reverend in Blue.
Sensational soprano Mary-Hollis Hundley has performed with some of the top opera companies across the country, most recently joining the roster of the Metropolitan Opera as a cover for Sister Catherine and Sister Lillianne in their production of Dead Man Walking. Last season she also reprised the role of Joella “Jo” Jenner in The Knock for Cincinnati Opera, as well as singing Freia in Dayton Opera's Das Rheingold, Alecta in House of Orfeus for Opera Carolina, Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music for Arizona Opera, and Die Aufseherin in Elektra with New York Dramatic Voices. She has also performed with The Glimmerglass Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Virginia Opera, and following this production she will reprise the role of the Mother in Hansel and Gretel with Helena Symphony in Montana.
This operatic retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous play is the epitome of tragedy as Macbeth and his wife are ultimately overrun by quilt and grief before they meet their own demise. Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness and her famous sleepwalking scene is considered one of the most superb moments in all of Verdi’s operas. Shakespeare’s masterful storytelling, combined with Verdi’s magnificent music, creates a powerful and emotional work that stands in stark contrast to Verdi’s other operas, as there is no love story here, just a dark, riveting scramble to grab power and the aftermath of those actions.
Stage director Matt Haney takes the lead in telling this tale, and this is the perfect project for him to make his Company debut, as he is known for fresh, innovative productions, whether they be grand operas, world premieres, or bold takes on opera standards. He recently completed a two-year residency with Pittsburgh Opera, and he has previously worked with LA Opera, Marble City Opera — where he directed a new, intimate production of Verdi’s La Traviata, as well as the world premiere of Follow Suit — and Winter Opera St. Louis. Mr. Haney has worked on more traditional titles including Carmen and Tosca, and he served as the principal stage director for Rimrock Opera, receiving acclaim for “cleverly designed takes on fresh productions,” like his 2020 production of Aida. Currently, Mr. Haney is the interim director of opera at Texas State University,
Joining Mr. Haney in crafting this original take on Macbeth, and also making his Company debut, is conductor Mark Sforzini. Mr. Sforzini served as principal bassoonist of the Florida Orchestra for fifteen seasons before founding St. Pete Opera in 2007. Now in its 17th season, the company has earned praise for bringing multiple lavishly-staged productions of classic operas to the St. Petersburg community each year. Additionally, Mr. Sforzini serves as music director for the Tampa Bay Symphony, and he is also an accomplished composer whose orchestral and chamber works have been commissioned and performed by the Florida Orchestra, Tampa Bay Symphony, Alabama Symphony, and Omaha Symphony. He will be conducting the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for this production.
“Macbeth is such a wonderful world to get to dive into, and it is the perfect opera for Halloween,” shares stage director Matt Haney. “It has been a pleasure cooking up this production with Opera Orlando, the creative team, and the phenomenal cast, and I look forward to seeing how Orlando audiences experience this spooky, ritualistic, and spine-chilling opera on such an incredible stage.”
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OPERA ON THE MAINSTAGE
Macbeth | music by Giuseppe Verdi and libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
sung in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles
Friday | October 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday | October 27, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Consumed by the promise of political power and propelled by his ambitious wife, Macbeth, sung by international baritone Norman Garrett, gets caught in a murderous web to claim the throne. A powerful and emotional work, Macbeth is the opera Verdi himself declared to be “unlike any other!” There is no love story here, just a darkly riveting scramble to grab power at any cost. This all-new production will be led by maestro Mark Sforzini conducting the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and stage director Matt Haney.
age advisory: PG-13
Estimated run time is two hours and 45 minutes with one intermission. A pre-show talk, free for all ticket holders, will be held on stage 50 minutes prior to each performance.
Individual tickets for Macbeth start at just $49 and are on sale now through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org, or by calling (407) 358-6603.
See YOU at the Opera!
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About Opera Orlando: Celebrating, expanding, and sharing the world’s greatest art form, the 2024-25 season will mark Opera Orlando’s ninth season producing high-quality operatic entertainment and educational programs that engage Central Florida audiences.
Stay up to date with Opera Orlando’s season via their website at www.OperaOrlando.org, and follow and like the Opera’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X accounts to share in all the Company has planned for 2024-25.
Opera Orlando
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Gabriel Preisser General Director
- October 15, 2024
- (407) 512-1900 x3
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