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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathleen Booth
Mobile: 410-271-6394
Email: Kathleen@quintainmarketing.com
ANNAPOLIS OPERA OPENS 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH “AIDA”
Annapolis, MD October 17, 2012 –
Annapolis Opera is launching a year-long celebration of the company’s 40th anniversary and Giuseppe Verdi’s 200th birthday with a performance, on October 27, of Verdi’s beloved masterpiece Aida.
An Annapolis Opera premiere, this semi-staged production of Aida will feature Adrienne Danrich and Michael Wade Lee in the roles of the doomed lovers Aida and Radames. Rounding out the cast are Ann McMahon Quintero as Amneris, David Salsbery Fry as Ramfis, Jarrett Giesler as Amonasaro, Robert Cantrell as the King, Emily Ezzie as the High Priestess and Patrick Cook as the Messenger.
Maryland Hall’s stage will be completely filled, as this all-star cast will be joined by a double chorus (including the Annapolis Opera Chorus and members of the world-renowned Morgan State Choir) and by the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ron Gretz.
Called "the grandest of grand operas," Aida premiered in Cairo in 1871 and quickly became one of the most beloved operas of all time. Verdi was at the pinnacle of his musical prowess when he composed Aida, elevating a doomed love triangle into a musical masterpiece of searing intensity, passion and grandeur.
“We’re thrilled to launch our 40th anniversary season with Aida,” commented Annapolis Opera President Lee Finney. “With our cast of world-class performers, the Annapolis Opera chorus, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Morgan State Choir, this will be one of the most powerful and memorable performances that Annapolis Opera has staged.”
The company will hold a dress rehearsal that is open to students (ages 8-25) on Thursday, October 25 at 7:30pm. Tickets for the dress rehearsal are $5 with a valid student ID (available only at the door).
The performance will take place on Saturday, October 27 at 8:00pm, with a pre-performance lecture one hour before, at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts (801 Chase St., Annapolis, Maryland). Tickets are $75/$60/$20, with group discounts available.
Annapolis Opera has provided professionally staged operas and concerts for the mid-Atlantic region for the past 40 years. The Opera’s mission is to present artistically excellent professional opera productions, educational programs and other opera-related events, featuring emerging artists. More information on the Annapolis Opera is available at www.annapolisopera.org.
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