Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m.—RUTLAND—Following the critically acclaimed production of “Orpheus and Euridice” last summer, The Vermont Opera Project’s (VTOP) second season will include its Summer Concert June 25 in Rutland and Dominick Argento’s “The Andrée Expedition” in Proctor and Barre on Aug. 4-6.
The Summer Concert will feature soprano Anya Matanovic and baritone Geoffrey Penar with Djordje Nesic on piano. The concert will take place at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 25 in the Fox Room at Rutland Free Library and will showcase works from new operas as well as musical theater and art song.
VTOP will present a fully staged version of “The Andrée Expedition” by Domonick Argento starring Emmy-award winning baritone Michael Chioldi. “The Andrée Expedition” takes audiences to the great age of Arctic exploration when three Swedish explorers made a fateful attempt to fly a hot air balloon to the North Pole. They did not survive the attempt, but their journals and letters were found 33 years later and the composer, Domonick Argento, has created “The Andrée Expedition” from these documents.
“We chose this piece because it is an incredible adventure story from a time when the world was not covered by GPS. Vermonters know a little of what it is like to bear the brunt of Mother Nature’s whims, although this is a bit more extreme,” said General Director Quincy Bruckerhoff. “This will be a true tour de force by Michael Chioldi, who has performed for virtually every major opera house including The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the Washington National Opera. We are thrilled that he has agreed to join us for this gorgeous piece.”
“The Andrée Expedition” will be directed by Cynthia Stokes, whose work has been seen at San Diego Opera and Opera Philadelphia. Returning on piano is Laurie Rogers, who played in “Orpheus and Euridice” last summer. Audiences will be transported to the Arctic by scenic designer Liliana Duque Piñeiro, who designed “Orpheus,” as well as projection designer Peter Torpey, and lighting designer Jeff Bruckerhoff.
Performances will be Aug. 4 at the Barre Opera House and Aug. 5-6 at the Vermont Marble Museum.
For more information, visit vtoperaproject.com for details.
Photo courtesy of Vermont Opera Project
MICHAEL CHIOLDI
