Opera Atelier announced the details of their 2024/25 season, titled A Miracle, A Metamorphosis, A Masterpiece Reborn. Co-artistic Directors Marshall Pynkoski C.M. and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg C.M. have combined the return of a beloved Handel pastorale with the North American premiere of a new production of a work by French Baroque composer Marc Antoine Charpentier.
In Charpentier’s opera, Toronto audiences can experience the Pynkoski and Zingg production that debuted to international acclaim in Paris.
Handel’s Acis and Galatea
Handel’s pastorale Acis and Galatea will be presented in a fully staged production at the Elgin Theatre from October 24 to 27, 2024.
The story is based on Ovid’s of the same name, about a water nymph called Galataea, and her love for the shepherd Acis — a love that ends in tragedy. With a text by English writer John Gay, it premiered in 1718 as a one-act masque. It was expanded into a three-act performance in 1732, with an Italian libretto. The original English piece was adapted into a two-act work in 1739.
Opera Atelier’s production is sung in English. The company last staged the opera in 2010.
The Cast
The cast includes the debuts of two artists with the company. French tenor Antonin Rondepierre will sing the role of Acis, and Blaise Rantoanina will sing the role of Damon.
“We are particularly proud to introduce these two exceptional young tenors to our Toronto audience in their North American debuts,” says Pynkoski. “I have had the pleasure of directing them in Grétry’s Caravane du Caire and Charpentier’s David and Jonathan, and I welcome this opportunity to deepen our relationship.”
Soprano Meghan Lindsay returns to the company to make her role debut as Galatea. Bass baritone Douglas Williams also debuts in the role of Polyphemus.
The corps of Artists of Atelier Ballet will dance new choreography by Opera Atelier Co-Founder and Choreographer Lajeunesse Zingg, with live accompaniment by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Opera Atelier Assistant Music Director Christopher Bagan, with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale (Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, Founder and Artistic Director).
Marc Antoine Charpentier’s David and Jonathan
The tragedy by the French Baroque composer Charpentier takes the stage at Koerner Hall from April 9 to 13, 2025.
The libretto, by Father François Bretonneau, is based on the Old Testament story of the friendship between David, the young hero who’d just slain Goliath, and Jonathan, the son of Saul, then King of Israel. It focuses on the power struggles that put David and Jonathan’s relationship into the crosshairs of the conflict.
The opera saw its premiere in Paris on February 28, 1688. While it became popular in Jesuit colleges in the early 1700s, it didn’t receive its American premiere until 2005.
David and Jonathan in Paris
The fully-staged Pynkoski and Zingg production first took the stage in the Royal Chapel in Versailles, with its gorgeous 17th century French architecture. The production subsequently toured to Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci, Germany in 2023, and will be remounted by Pynkoski and Zingg for Versailles in 2025.
The Cast & Creatives
“We are particularly thrilled to introduce French baroque specialist bass baritone David Witczak in the incredibly demanding role of Saul. He will be joined by the French tenor from the Versailles production, Antonin Rondpierre as Joabel, along with Opera Atelier favourites Colin Ainsworth as David and Mireille Asselin as Jonathan,” Pynkoski says.
Set design will be provided by Opera Atelier favourite Gerard Gauci, with costumes by Michael Gianfrancesco. Both productions feature lighting by designer Kimberly Purtell.
The Artists of Atelier Ballet will be accompanied by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Opera Atelier Music Director David Fallis, with the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir.
2024/25 Season Subscriptions will go on sale on May 7, 2024, with single Tickets for Acis and Galatea on sale August 5, 2024, and single tickets for David and Jonathan will be on sale January 13, 2025 on their website [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- INTERVIEW | Composer Ari Kinarthy And Director Jeff Lee Petry Talk About Ari’s Theme, Premiering At Hot Docs - April 26, 2024
- PREVIEW | Creators & Performers Natalya Gennadi And Kristine Dandavino Talk About Grandma’s Shawl - April 26, 2024
- PREVIEW | Artistic Director Emily Cheung Dives Into Little Pear Garden Dance Company’s History & 30th Anniversary Peformance - April 26, 2024
