Opera Atelier announces 2009-2010 Season

Opera Atelier���s 2009/10 Season delivers a one-two knock-out punch!

Toronto, ON (February 9, 2009)�Ķ Today, Opera Atelier announced the details of its 2009/10 season featuring the two most revolutionary operas of the 18^th century.

The season begins in October with a revival of Christoph Willibald Gluck���s great reform opera, Iphig��nie en Tauride, which tells the story of Iphig��nie, the Greek princess who is abandoned on the island of Tauride for the duration of the Trojan War. Miraculously reunited with her brother Oreste following the murder of their mother (Clytemnestra), Iphig��nie���s courage and self-sacrifice ensures their safe return to Greece.

The opera attacked the very core of French operatic tradition and caused a sensation when it premiered at the Paris Opera in 1779, and again when Opera Atelier first staged it in 2003. Hailed as a work of genius by ecstatic critics, Iphig��nie en Tauride is considered the greatest triumph of Gluck���s career.

American soprano Peggy Kriha Dye, a favourite with OA audiences, returns next season as Iphig��nie. Croatian tenor Kresimir Spicer, who sang the title role in last season���s Idomeneo, returns as her brother Oreste. Swedish tenor Rickard S��derberg makes his Canadian operatic debut as Pylade, lifelong friend of Oreste. Thoas, King of Tauride, is sung by bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre, and bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan returns in the role of Le Ministre. Esteemed British conductor Andrew Parrott returns to lead the Tafelmusik Orchestra and Chamber Choir and the full corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet. This production is directed by Marshall Pynkoski and choreographed by Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg with set designs by Gerard Gauci, costumes by Dora Rust D���Eye, and lighting by Kevin Fraser. Iphig��nie en Tauride runs October 31, November 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7, 2009 and is sung in French with English SURTITLES^TM.

The season continues in the spring with a new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart���s popular The Marriage of Figaro. Based on the shocking Beaumarchais play, Mozart���s racy tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness is a hilarious and subversive social commentary about a world on the brink of revolution.

This marks the third new Mozart production of Opera Atelier���s ambitious ���Mozart Six��� plan which to date includes Idomeneo (2007) and The Abduction from the Seraglio (2008). Costume designer Martha Mann, winner of six Gemini awards, makes her company debut. Ms. Mann���s credits include Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, Glory Enough for All, Aida (Boston Lyric Opera), Intermezzo (New York City Opera), and The Mikado (Glimmerglass Opera).

The creative team also includes director Marshall Pynkoski, choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg, set designer Gerard Gauci, and lighting designer Bonnie Beecher. David Fallis conducts the Tafelmusik Orchestra.

Bass-baritone Olivier Laquerre brings his comedic talents to his debut performance as Figaro, wily manservant to Count Almaviva. Soprano Carla Huhtanen is his fianc��e Susanna. Acclaimed Canadian baritone Philip Addis makes his OA debut as Count Almaviva, and soprano Peggy Kriha Dye appears as Countess Almaviva. Bass-baritone Curtis Sullivan sings the role of Dr. Bartolo and mezzo-soprano Laura Pudwell is his housekeeper, Marcellina. Mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta makes her main stage debut with Opera Atelier as the young love-struck page Cherubino. The Marriage of Figaro will be sung in English with English SURTITLES^TM and runs April 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, and May 1, 2010.

Performances for Opera Atelier���s 2009/10 season will take place at the Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge Street) in Toronto. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinee performances begin at 3:00 p.m.

Subscriptions for Opera Atelier���s 2009/10 season are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 416-703-3767 ext. 22. Single tickets for Iphig��nie en Tauride go on sale August 17, 2009. For more information visit www.operaatelier.com .

Opera Atelier also gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Metcalf Foundation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Creative Trust.

2009/10 Season Sponsor: Sun Life Financial

2009/10 Major Sponsors: BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust Music, The Dominion of Canada General Assurance Company

Opera Atelier is Canada���s premier baroque theatre company, producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. While drawing upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, Opera Atelier goes beyond ���reconstruction��� and infuses each production with an inventive theatricality that resonates with modern audiences. Over the past two decades, lead by founding director Marshall Pynkoski and founding choreographer Jeannette Lajeunesse-Zingg, Opera Atelier has garnered acclaim for its performances at home as well as in the United States, Europe and Asia.