January 16, 2015 – Virginia Opera, The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, continues to celebrate its 40th Anniversary Season with a production of Richard Strauss’ sizzling opera in one act, the tour-de-force “Salome.” With a cast of internationally recognized opera stars, performing some of the most challenging and stunning music known in the field, this production highlights the drama of the story, taking it to an even higher dramatic level with its significant score. Returning Director Stephen Lawless (Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Berlin State Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago) breathes lightning-charged energy into this work, as he did last season with Virginia Opera’s “Falstaff.” In developing “Salome” Strauss followed the scintillating Oscar Wilde play based on the Old Testament story,which when premiered in 1905, shocked audiences by themes that caused the show to be censored and banned for decades. Today, modern patrons will not be shaken by this blockbuster storyline similar to any current Hollywood screenplay, juxtaposed against Strauss’ rich score, laden with Middle Eastern flavors and exhibiting a complexity far beyond its days.
“Salome” features the return of Metropolitan Opera Soprano and local favorite Kelly Cae Hogan, leading a celebrated cast of singers, who are some of today’s leading Strauss interpreters. Hogan, whose last smashing success at Virginia Opera was as Blanche in “A Streetcar Named Desire” (2012-2013), is distinguished internationally in the title role, having sung the part throughout Europe and the United States. Of her portrayal of this role at Portland Opera, The Oregonian praises her: “Whether singing sensual similes describing the body, hair and mouth of John the Baptist,… or soaring high over a loud orchestra, Hogan’s Salome is a vocal triumph” and sets a stunning centerpiece for a cast of singers who regularly perform around the globe. President and CEO, Russell P. Allen, remarks, “With this production of Salome, our audiences are receiving one of the most highly dramatic and intense operas ever written. One of Richard Strauss’ masterpieces, co-produced with Portland Opera, Virginia Opera has assembled an incredibly strong cast with outstanding singers in all of the lead roles drawn from the top voices available in opera today.”
Baritone Michael Chioldi, who performs the role of Jochanaan (John the Baptist), has received unanimous acclaim from critics and audiences around the world for his portrayal of the dramatic baritone roles of Verdi, Puccini and Strauss. Having recently performed at both The Washington Opera and Lyric Opera Baltimore, Virginia Opera is pleased to have Chioldi perform such a strong role in his debut with the company.
Maestro Ari Pelto, whose rapidly rising career takes him from Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Minnesota Opera to New National Theatre of Tokyo, brings his fresh approach to the score in his return engagement to Virginia Opera. Pelto was last seen at Virginia Opera conducting “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Opera News has raved about his performances of Rusalka at Boston Lyric Opera: “There was alchemy at work in this performance, one that is uncommon in even the greatest houses: the whole became greater than the sum of its parts, revealing something profound and true.” Of this production of “Salome,” Pelto notes, “This is a most famously challenging work and puts the listener in awe of what Strauss wrote. Scandalous in every way, the work includes some of the most glorious music and some of the craziest, most debauched moments in all opera. It is fantastically exciting that Virginia Opera is able, and has the courage, to mount this production offering an unusually special night of theatre.”
Performance Details and Ticket Information
For more information or for inquiries about media coverage of “Salome,” please call Maggi George at 757.627.9545, ext. 3316, or email maggi.george@vaopera.org.
“Salome” will be performed in German with English supertitles. Each performance will feature a free 30-minute pre-opera discussion by Virginia Opera’s Dr. Glenn “Dr. Opera” Winters. Tickets start at just $19 and are available at vaopera.org or by calling 866.673.7282. “Salome”opens Friday, January 30, 2015 at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, Va., followed by additional performances in Richmond and Fairfax as follows:
Harrison Opera House
Norfolk, VA
866.673.7282
vaopera.org
Fri., Jan. 30, 2015 at 8:00pm
Sun., Feb. 1, 2015 at 2:30pm
Tue., Feb. 3, 2015 at 7:30pm
Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage
Richmond, VA
800.514.3849
Fri., Feb. 6, 2015 at 8:00pm
Sun., Feb. 8, 2015 at 2:30pm
GMU Center for the Arts at George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
888.945.2468
Tickets.com
Sat., Feb. 14, 2015 at 8:00pm
Sun., Feb. 15, 2015 at 2:00pm
Student Tickets
Virginia Opera will offer a special Student Night at the Opera performance of “Salome” in Norfolk, Va. on Wednesday, January 28, 2015. Student Night at the Opera allows students and chaperones to experience the power of live opera, with unparalleled access at reduced ticket prices, in order to broaden appreciation for cultural arts in our community. Visit vaopera.org for more details about Student Night at the Opera and how to purchase tickets. For regularly-scheduled performances in Norfolk and Richmond, students may receive $15 rush tickets. Tickets must be purchased the day of the performance through the Box Office. Discounts are intended for full-time students only and valid student identification is required.