THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 21, 1995 TAG: 9501210216
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK MOBLEY, MUSIC CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Virginia Opera will begin its third decade by adding a Broadway musical to its schedule. The 1995-96 season, the company's 21st, includes a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's ``Carousel.''
Next season's repertoire was announced Friday. It includes a new production of a Virginia Opera favorite, and the company's first production of a Wagner opera.
The season opens Oct. 6 at Norfolk's Harrison Opera House with Verdi's ``Rigoletto.'' Virginia Opera's 1984 production of ``Rigoletto'' was in English and set in New York's Little Italy. The new production will be in Italian with English supertitles.
Johann Strauss' ``Die fledermaus'' opens Nov. 17. This popular Viennese operetta will be sung in English.
Wagner's ``Flying Dutchman'' opens January 26. The first of Wagner's operas to enter the core of the international repertory, it tells the tale of a Dutch sea captain fated to sail until he finds a woman's redeeming love. It will be sung in German with English supertitles.
Rossini's comedy ``The Barber of Seville'' opens March 8. It will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. The season ends with ``Carousel,'' which opens for four consecutive performances April 11. General and Artistic Director Peter Mark is scheduled to conduct the four operas. Assistant Artistic Director Jerome Shannon will conduct ``Carousel.''
Each operatic production includes five Norfolk performances and two performances in Richmond. ``Rigoletto'' and ``Barber'' will also be performed at George Mason University in Fairfax.
Season tickets for the four operas range from $34 (for students) to $270. Single tickets for ``Carousel'' begin at $13.50 for students go up to $44. For more information call 623-1223.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA OPERA by CNB