|
 |
CONCEIVED AND DIRECTED BY JEFFREY MARC BUCHMAN
If childhood is a time of simplicity, where life’s dilemmas fit into a mold of right and wrong,
good and evil, and likes and dislikes, adulthood is a time of complexity, where one grows to
accept that great love doesn’t come without great pain, where one knowingly does something
wrong because they believe it to be for the right reasons, and where one gives in to hedonistic
temptation in spite of their awareness of its destructive power. The journey from simplicity to
complexity is exemplified by adolescence, a time in life when one finds oneself questioning the
hypocrisies of the world they are trying to understand. These themes are at the heart of this
production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and the deeper messages, as well as the immediacy and
charm of this ingenious work, are heightened when told through adolescent eyes navigating the
uncharted territory of a personal coming-of-age journey.
Florida Grand Opera’s production is cutting-edge, with a highly modern aesthetic. The
audience is introduced to a young teenage boy who is clearly being raised in a household that
values reading, learning, and imagination. As a gift from his father, he receives a book of
The Magic Flute. He drifts off to sleep while reading late into the night, and his dreams transport
him (along with other members of his family) deep into the story. He himself becomes the story’s
protagonist, Tamino. Tamino’s journey becomes his journey, Tamino’s rites of passage his rites
of passage, and Tamino’s rewards his rewards. An important concept raised in Mozart’s opera
is that even supposedly “enlightened and wise” leaders can be so very wrong in their social
beliefs and ideals, and that it sometimes takes the heart, mind, and voice of a new generation to
challenge and reshape those beliefs and ideals. This production is dedicated to the child whose
imagination takes him on exciting, magical journeys, as well as to the inner child inside all of us
that never stops questioning a world that clearly needs further questioning.
Sung in German with English and Spanish projected translations
MIAMI
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Nov 16, 2024, at 7:00pm
Nov 17, 2024, at 2:00pm
Nov 19, 2024, at 8:00pm
FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
Dec 5, 2024, at 7:30pm
Dec 7, 2024, at 7:30pm
|
|
|
 |
CONCEIVED AND DIRECTED BY MATT COOKSEY
Love can indeed lead to some ridiculous situations, and such is the delightful chaos that unfolds
in The Elixir of Love when an ardent youth embarks on drastic measures to capture the heart of his
beloved. Nemorino, a naive village lad, finds himself deeply smitten with Adina, a young woman
of both independent mind and means. Determined to win her affections, Nemorino resorts
to any means necessary. However, weary of his persistent and puppy-like adoration, Adina
impulsively agrees to marry Belcore, the swaggering sergeant of the regiment. In desperation,
Nemorino seeks the aid of the traveling charlatan Dulcamara, investing both his hope and
meager finances in a supposed “love potion.”
As Nemorino imbibes the elixir, his confidence surges, captivating nearly everyone in town
with his newfound demeanor, including Adina herself. From the uproarious Wedding Duet
between Adina and Dulcamara to Nemorino’s poignant “Una furtiva lagrima,” Donizetti’s music
resonates deeply, seamlessly blending soulful melodies with comedic charm. Felice Romani’s
witty libretto and scenario, cherished for nearly two centuries, set the stage for laughter and
love, inviting audiences into a world where the heart’s whimsical follies reign supreme.
Sung in Italian with English and Spanish projected translations
MIAMI
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Feb 1, 2025, at 7:00pm
Feb 2, 2025, at 3:00pm
Feb 4, 2025, at 8:00pm
FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
Feb 13, 2025, at 7:30pm
Feb 15, 2025, at 7:30pm
|
|
|
 |
CONCEIVED AND DIRECTED BY MARIA TODARO
The story of Carmen remains timeless. Stage director Maria Todaro’s version is set during
Franco’s reign in 1937 Spain, a period rife with distrust and violence, and the narrative’s stakes
escalate dramatically. While adhering faithfully to the libretto, in this version, Carmen and
her band of gypsies are not mere smugglers. They emerge as courageous freedom fighters.
The female gypsies who fought during Franco’s regime were part of the first organized army of
women known to history. The exotic life of the gypsy as depicted in Carmen reflects the political
unrest of nineteenth-century Spain and the power struggles of race, social class, and gender.
Carmen, a femme fatale gypsy who works in a Seville cigarette factory, loves who she wants,
when she wants, and she refuses to compromise. Her character is a wild spirit. She’s challenging,
compelling, multifaceted, and a heroine who defies the lines of social class and authority.
Adding to the complexity, Carmen encounters her male counterpart in Escamillo, revered
as the LeBron James of his era, who transcends his role as a bullfighter by covertly aiding
the cause of liberation while honoring the vibrant, colorful, and passionate historic essence
of Spain —a role evocative of Oskar Schindler’s altruism. Conversely, Don José, bound by
familial ties and engaged to the virtuous Micaëla, epitomizes toxic masculinity. His consuming
jealousy leads to the ruin of all he holds dear. Seduced by Carmen’s fierce independence and
exotic charm, he abandons his principles and spirals into dishonor and imprisonment. Upon
release, he succumbs once more to his obsession with Carmen, but their fleeting happiness is
doomed. Not even the pleas of his devoted fiancée Micaëla or his ailing mother can dissuade
him from Carmen’s allure. He returns from his mother’s deathbed too late to witness Carmen’s
public declaration of love for Escamillo at the bullring, his vow to reclaim her unheeded. Their
final confrontation crystallizes the core conflict: Carmen has discarded Don José, asserting
her autonomy, while José, ensnared by possessiveness, reacts predictably. The denouement
promises an astonishing and captivating resolution, echoing the enduring themes of
relationships and their complexity, passion, and freedom in a story that captivated artists and
audiences for almost 150 years.
Sung in French with English and Spanish projected translations
MIAMI
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
Apr 12, 2025, at 7:00pm
Apr 13, 2025, at 2:00pm
Apr 15, 2025, at 8:00pm
FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
Apr 24, 2025, at 7:30pm
Apr 26, 2025, at 7:30pm
|
|
|
|
Choose from the preselected series below.
If you prefer to order by phone, call the Ticket Office at 800-741-1010.
|
|
Processing your request...
