"Lakmé" opens Tomorrow at UAO

Cultures collide and love blossoms in exotic Colonial India. Léo Delibes' Lakmé is a romantic thriller set amidst the scents and sights of a faraway land—a temple garden at dawn, a Hindu market, a bamboo hut in the forest—the perfect backdrop for sensuous, touching and spectacular drama. Lakmé, a Hindu priestess, falls in love with Gerald, a British soldier. Their union, however, is impeded by her father's lust for vengeance on the British who have profaned his temple. Be our guest as you enjoy the ambiance of this priceless operatic gem to see if love, honor or duty prevails.

(Pictured: Patricia Johnson; Photo: Wayne Crosslin)

Union Avenue Opera presents the Missouri premiere of Lakmé, which is also the first production in the Midwest since the Lyric Opera of Chicago produced the opera in 1983. UAO Artistic Director and Conductor Scott Schoonover stages the production. (See previous blog entry for an interview with Schoonover.) Kostis Protopapas, of Tulsa Opera, has returned as guest conductor after last season's Otello. Felia Davenport and Patrick Huber have collaborated with Schoonover on the production's costume and set designs, respectively.

For a full synopsis of the opera, please click here.

Soprano Patricia Johnson, Micaëla in last season's Carmen, returns to portray the title role. Tenor Roderick George, last seen as Tamino in 2007's Die Zauberflöte, sings the role of Gerald. Baritone David Dillard, fresh from his appearance in this season's Die lustige Witwe, will portray the priest Nilakantha—Lakmé's father. Mezzo-Soprano Debra Hillabrand, most recently seen as Frugola in Il Tabarro, sings the role of Miss Benson. Two artists make their UAO debut: Baritone Nathan Wentworth as Frédéric (friend of Gerald) and Mezzo-Soprano Crystal Philippi as Mallika (Lakmé's servant). Also appearing are Sopranos Linden Christ and Elise LaBarge as English sisters Ellen & Rose, as well as Tenor Jon Garrett as Hadji.

Lakmé runs August 21, 22, 28 & 29. Performances begin at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Sung in French with projected English supertitles. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit the Union Avenue Opera Website or call 314.361.2881