La Rondine

EVENING SHOWS June 23 | July 3 | July 6 | July 14
SUNDAY MATINEES July 1

La Rondine
(The Swallow)

by Giacomo Puccini

A Commedia lirica in three acts
Text by Giuseppe Adami after a libretto by A.M. Willner and Heinz Reichert
First performance: Monte Carlo; Théâtre de l’Opéra, March 27, 1917
Performed in Italian with English supertitles above the stage

Puccini pays tribute to the glittering world of operetta with this beautiful score. The sparkle and glamour of Paris's Banquet Years provide the glorious backdrop for this romantic tale of love won and lost. Fans of last season’s La Bohème won’t want to miss this rarely-performed operatic jewel. In 1973, early critics from the national press compared our fledgling company to the flight of the Swallow (La Rondine) of the title and since then, this particular opera holds very special meaning to Des Moines Metro Opera, making it a natural part of our 40th Anniversary season.

CAST:

Magda de Civry

Joyce El-Khoury

Lisette, her maid

Sarah Jane McMahon

Ruggero Lastouc

Harold Meers

Prunier, a poet

John Viscardi

Rambaldo Fernandez

Tony Dillon

Périchaud

Alexander Elliott

Gobin

Cullen Gandy

Crébillon

Isaac Droscha

Yvette

Dana Pundt

Bianca

Jessie Lyons

Suzy

Kristen DiNinno

A Singer

TBA

A Steward

Gregory Jebaily

Members of the bourgeoisie, students, painters, elegantly dressed ladies and gentleman, grisettes, flower-girls and dancing girls, waiters.

PRODUCTION:

Conductor:

Michael Borowitz

Stage Director:

Dugg McDonough

Associate Conductor:

Michael Sakir

Assistant Stage Director:

TBA

Chorus Master:

Lisa Hasson

Musical Preparation:

Allen Perriello
Tessa Hartle

Set Designer:

R. Keith Brumley

Costume Supervisor:

Robin McGee

Lighting Designer:

Barry Steele

Make-Up/Hair Designer:

Sarah Hatten for Elsen and Associates

Costumes:

TBA

Cast, production and opera are subject to change without notice.

SYNOPSIS:
SETTING: Paris