Boston Lyric Opera has announced its 2024-25 season, which features four mainstage productions, including the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl's The Seasons.
Co-conceived with countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who also stars in the work, The Seasons is based on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and incorporates additional arias and ensembles by Vivaldi with a new English libretto by Sarah Ruhl. Described by Ruhl as “a contemporary Baroque opera about the weather, inside and out,” The Seasons tells the story of five artists who retreat to a remote farm to make art inspired by the beauty of nature. But increasingly extreme and erratic weather complicates the plan. Zack Winokur directs the production with choreography by Pam Tanowitz.
The season opens in September with Mozart's rarely-seen opera Mitridate, starring tenor Lawrence Brownlee as the titular King of Pontus. The cast also includes soprano Brenda Rae as Aspasia, and countertenor John Holiday as Farnace. The production by director James Darrah will feature scenic design by Adam Rigg, costume design by Molly Irelan, lighting design by Pablo Santiago, projection design by Hana Kim, and wig and makeup design by Ronell Oliveri.
In November, BLO Music Director will lead a one-night engagement of Verdi's Aida, starring soprano Michelle Johnson as Aida, tenor Diego Torre as Radamès, mezzo-soprano Alice Chung as Amneris, bass Morris Robinson as Ramfis, and baritone Brian Major as Amonasro.
The mainstage season will conclude in April with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, directed by Anne Bogart. The cast will be led by Brandie Sutton as Julie Jordan, and Edward Nelson as Billy Bigelow, also featuring Jamie Barton as Nettie Fowler, Anya Matanovič as Carrie Pipperidge, Omar Najmi as Enoch Snow, and Markel Reed as Jigger Craigin.
In addition to the four mainstage productions, Boston Lyric Opera will also partner with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for concert performances of Erich Korngold's Die tote Stadt and Benjamin Britten's Noah's Flood.
For more information, visit BLO.org.
