MILL CITY SUMMER OPERA: Last chance to see opera at Mill City Ruins!
Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 11:45AMVia a June 6 Press Release:
Mill City Summer Opera (MCSO) has announced that the Minnesota Historical Society, which operates the Mill City Museum, has elected not to extend MCSO’s contract, making 2019 the final season for opera at the Museum.
“With the decision made by the Historical Society to cease summer opera programming, we want to capitalize on its unique architecture and the dramatic setting of the Courtyard Ruins for an unforgettable night of theater. No one will want to miss our inventive take on Cosi fan tutte,“ said MSCO Artistic Director Crystal Manich, who is directing Mozart’s sophisticated comedy.
“We are very proud of our contribution to opera and the Twin Cities performing arts scene,” said Karen Brooks, Founder and Board Chair of MCSO. “We are committed to continuing our successful track record of presenting critically acclaimed productions. With a strong board of directors, we look forward to a new era – one that will allow the company to explore new opportunities, directions and approaches.”
Minnesota natives Heather Johnson (Despina), Sarah Larsen (Dorabella), Andrew Wilkowske (Don Alfonso) and Karin Wolverton (Fiordiligi) will be joined by Javier Abreu (Ferrando) and Sidney Outlaw (Guglielmo).
MCSO has also programmed a two-person “opera buffa” to be performed at the industrial-chic Icehouse bar and restaurant in Minneapolis this season. Opera’s past and future come together in La Serva Padrona, a switched-on petite comic baroque opera by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, also directed by Manich. Featuring Madison Holtze as Serpina and Rodolfo Nieto as Uberto, this Icehouse show brings the 18th century into a modern sound landscape.
Both productions will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Così fan tutte will be on stage July 12-24. La Serva Padrona will be presented July 15 and July 17.
Manich’s creative team includes Jason Allen (Wig & Makeup Design), Lara Bolton (Head of Music), Alice Fredrickson (costume design), Paul Hackenmueller (lighting design), Annie Henley (scenic design) and Abbee Warmboe (Props Master).
Brian DeMaris returns for his eighth season as Music Director of MCSO. He is Artistic Director of Arizona State University’s Music Theatre and Opera program, which just received recognition as part of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Music for the composer of “prism,” an opera that had its first developmental workshop at ASU’s School of Music. The opera was one of the first projects workshopped at ASU as part of the Music Theatre and Opera’s new works initiative.
Tickets are currently on sale for both productions. Così fan tutte Opening Night tickets, which include a gala pre-show reception and an after-party with the cast, are $200-$250; other performances are $50-$125. La Serva Padrona tickets are $15-$25. All tickets are available through MCSO at 612-875-5544 or online at millcitysummeropera.org. Rush tickets ($35) will be available for all performances the day of show at 6:00 pm at the Mill City Museum.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
Mill City Museum Courtyard Ruins, 704 S Second Street
Tickets: $50-$125 (Opening Night: $200-$250)
Box Office: 612-875-5544 or millcitysummeropera.org.
- Friday, July 12, Opening Night – pre-party at 6 pm, performance at 7:30 pm, with after-party
- Sunday, July 14 at 7:30pm
- Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, July 17 at 10am – Young Audience (special 1-hour program)
- Thursday, July 18 at 7:30pm
- Saturday, July 20 at 7:30pm
- Monday, July 22 at 7:30pm
- Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30pm
