Led by ladies, Portland Opera to live large

January 19, 2007
By Columbian Staff

Jossie Perez appears as the tempestuous temptress Carmen in the first production of the Portland Opera's 2007-08 season. Photo courtesy of Richard Feldman/Boston Lyric Opera. Ticket information Subscribers to the current Portland Opera season will receive renewal packages this month and have until March 9 to secure guaranteed seating for 2007-2008. Renewals start at $163. Subscriptions will go on sale to the general public on March 12. For details on subscription and single ticket prices, call 503-241-1802 or 866-739-6737, or visit portlandopera.org.

Four women dominate the Portland Opera's 2007-08 season, opening in September. But men are not neglected.

The spotlight does turn on a worthy fellow, who gets his belated recognition when no suitable woman can be crowned as May Queen.

Still, female power is the deliberate focus of the opera company's 43rd season. Through the women of "Carmen," "La Cenerentola," "Rodelinda" and "Aida," patrons will experience "what it is to live with unparalleled intensity," according to Christopher Mattaliano, Portland Opera's general director.

Oh, and "to graciously forgive when we could easily condemn, to show exquisite grace under fire, and to recognize that without love, life is worthless."

It's a tall order, but opera is all about living large. And this year features a swollen program with more performances in which to enjoy the vastness -- 18 total main stage shows, three more than the current season, as well as matinees for every opera.

Here's a brief description of each of the five productions of the company's "Great Women of the Stage" season.

"Carmen," by Georges Bizet. Mezzo-soprano Jossie Perez makes her Portland Opera debut as the red-hot gypsy whose dalliance with a toreador has fatal results. Runs Sept. 21-29.

"La Cenerentola" (Cinderella) by Gioacchino Rossini. Anyone who doesn't know this story by now should sit by the fire in a pile of cinders. Many in this cast last entertained audiences in 2004's "The Journey to Reims," including mezzo-soprano ­Angela Niederloh, who will sing the title role. Runs Nov. 2-10.

"Rodelinda" by George Frideric Handel. Political intrigue is at its 18th-century finest in this Baroque tale of a woman's deft maneuvers to save her husband and a crown. Soprano Jennifer Aylmer takes the leading role. Runs Feb. 8-16, 2008.

"Albert Herring" by Benjamin Britten. A rural English village gives up on finding an unblemished (that is, virginal) maiden for its May Queen. Enter timid Albert Herring, a lad from the grocer's who seems to allow celebrity to get the better of him. This show is a special add-on to the season. Runs March 14-30, 2008.

"Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi. It's not a good idea to fall in love with an Egyptian war hero when you are an Ethiopian slave, and an Egyptian princess has a fancy for the same man. Soprano Lisa Daltirus sings Aida in her Portland Opera debut. Runs May 9-17, 2008.