By Lawrence A. Johnson
Company favorite Kelly Kaduce will return as the doomed geisha Cio-Cio San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, which will open the season November 15. Vanessa Isiguen will sing the role in the second cast while Martin Nusspaumer and John Pickle will alternate in the role of the caddish American Pinkerton. Caitlin McKechney will portray Suzuki and Todd Thomas, Sharpless. Ramon Tebar will conduct in this production from Sarasota Opera.
Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte is up next, opening January 24 with Sari Gruber and Brenda Patterson as the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, and Jason Slayden and Jonathan Beyer as their mixed suitors Ferrando and Gugielmo. The second cast features Hailey Clark and Carla Jablonski with Danial Bates and Isaac Bray. Arthur Woodley is Don Alfonso for both casts with Ava Pine alternating with Rebecca Henriques as Despina. Ramon Tebar conducts in this FGO production.
Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers will open February 28. Sydney Mancasola and Emily Birsan will alternate in the role of the priestess Leila with Philippe Talbot and Corey McKern as her vying lovers Nadir and Zurga (Daniel Bates and Isaac Bray in the second cast). Anthony Barrese will conduct in his FGO debut.
The season will conclude with Gian Carlo Menotti’s Cold War drama The Consul opening May 9. Kara Shay Thomson stars as Magda Sorel with Keith Phares as her husband John, Carla Jablonski as The Secretary and Victoria Livengood as The Mother. Andrew Bisantz conducts in this Seattle Opera production.