Thursday (6/24) on the New York Times online, Daniel J. Wakin reports, “The Opera Orchestra of New York, a small but beloved institution for fans of off-beat repertory and big voices, is staging something of a comeback. The company said Thursday it would end its financially induced hiatus and mount two concert productions next season: Meyerbeer’s ‘L’Africaine,’and a double bill of Massenet’s ‘La Navarraise’ and Mascagni’s ‘Cavalleria Rusticana.’ The double bill, to be conducted at Carnegie Hall by Alberto Veronesi, who takes over as music director in 2011, will feature Roberto Alagna and Elina Garanca in the Massenet, and Mr. Alagna, Maria Guleghina, Krysty Swann and Mignon Dunn in ‘Cavalleria,’ according to Opera Orchestra. Eve Queler, who founded the company in 1967 and is music director now, will conduct ‘L’Africaine,’ with Marcello Giordani singing and Chiara Taigi making her United States debut, at Avery Fisher Hall. The organization, which used to put on three concert operas a season, suspended opera performances in 2008 and has been presenting only several recitals. The board chairman, Norman Raben, said it is now debt-free and raising the $1.25 million to $1.5 million needed for next season.”
Posted June 28, 2010
