Florida Grand Opera to present Levy’s “Electra” and Wagner’s “Tristan” in 2013-14
Marvin David Levy
Florida Grand Opera will open its 2013-14 season at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale with the Southeast American premiere of Mourning Becomes Electra, Marvin David Levy’s acclaimed opera, regarded by many as one of the finest American works in the genre.
The opera, which had its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1967, is inspired by Eugene O’Neill’s sprawling play, which updates the Sophocles tragedy to post-Civil War America, with the Mannon family haunted and ultimately destroyed by deep family secrets.
For the 80-year-old composer, it is especially sweet to be able to hear his opera in Fort Lauderdale, where Levy has lived for the past twenty years.
“I really am thrilled and very grateful that FGO is going to do Mourning,” said Levy. “I’m especially glad that it’s going to be done in my adopted hometown.”
Susan Danis clearly wasn’t kidding when FGO’s new general director said that it’s a new day at Florida Grand Opera.
In addition to mounting Levy’s opera, FGO will present Wagner’s epic Tristan und Isolde in what may well be its belated Florida premiere.
“Miami is a great international city that deserves a great opera company presenting exciting productions with world-class singers and thought-provoking repertoire and realizations of the operas,” said Danis Tuesday. “That is the vision for the future of FGO.”
The season will also offer Verdi’s Nabucco and Puccini’s Tosca.
Dates and casting are yet to be announced.
Florida Grand Opera’s La Boheme continues through Dec. 8. fgo.org
Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 4:31 pm by Jan Solomon
Brava, Ms. Danis,
A quantum leap for opera in South Florida! Levy’s Mourning and Wagner’s Tristan and Isolda in the same season. I have died and gone to heaven!