COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Giuseppe Verdi LA TRAVIATA Fancy . Free . May 19 , 25 , 30 ; June 2 ( m ), 7 , 10 , 20 ( m ), 23 * Violetta has one important rule : Never fall in love . As a Parisian courtesan , her life is full of parties , admirers , and - most importantly - freedom . Then she meets Alfredo . His naïve sincerity sweeps her off her feet . Just when Violetta thinks she has escaped her past , she is asked to make an unthinkable sacrifice . Will pride , love or honor prevail ? Embrace the romance of this Verdi masterpiece , featuring the directing debut of famed soprano Patricia Racette .
Marc Blitzstein REGINA Greed is their inheritance . May 26 , 31 ; June 6 ( m ), 8 , 16 ( m ), 20 , 24 * Theft . Blackmail . Murder . Is there nothing that Regina Giddens won ’ t do to satisfy her ambition ? Based on Lillian Hellman ’ s play , “ The Little Foxes ,” and set against a Southern backdrop of spirituals , jazz and ragtime , this deliciously twisted opera pits siblings and spouses against each other in a battle for the family business . Prepare to be scandalized - and entertained - as the renowned Susan Graham returns to Opera Theatre to portray one of the American stage ’ s most fascinating characters .
Huang Ruo & David Henry Hwang AN AMERICAN SOLDIER Out of many , one . June 3 , 6 , 9 ( m ), 14 , 16 , 22 * Opera Theatre presents the world premiere of this new , two-act opera . Danny Chen is the son of Chinese immigrants , and a proud American . He enlists in the U . S . Army after 9 / 11 , eager to serve his country . In boot camp , Danny is welcomed by his band of brothers . But in Afghanistan , his own base becomes enemy territory as military hazing turns deadly . Based on a true story , this opera asks powerful questions about what it means to be American .
Christoph Willibald Gluck ORFEO & EURIDICE Never look back . June 9 , 13 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 23 ( m )* What would you do if you lost your soulmate ? For Orfeo , the answer is simple : Get her back - even if it means traveling to the underworld . He braves every challenge , armed with nothing more than his music and his devotion . Little does he realize that his greatest obstacle will ultimately be his own passion . As a myth , it ’ s a celebration of love and music ’ s transcendent power . As an opera , it ’ s a ravishing masterpiece .
* Performances begin at 8 p . m ., Wednesday through Saturday ; 7 p . m ., Sunday ; and 1 p . m . for matinees ( m ). All performances are held in the Loretto-Hilton Center , 130 Edgar Road , St . Louis , MO 63119 . For tickets , call ( 314 ) 961-0644 or visit experienceopera . org .
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