(Pictured: Mathew Edwardsen & Cecelia Stearman)19th century Russia sets the stage for Tchaikovsky's Pikovaya Dama ("The Queen of Spades"), a psychological thriller based on the Pushkin short story. Gherman has been searching for love and finds it in Lisa, the ward of an aged Countess whose colorful youth earned her the moniker: The Queen of Spades. Lisa is betrothed to Prince Yeletsky but finds herself in love with the mysterious Gherman. Gherman, obsessed with greed and the allure of the Countess’ supernatural card trick, demands the secret at gunpoint. Will he be inspired by love or destroyed by greed?
Pikovaya Dama will be Union Avenue Opera's second foray into the Russian repertoire, having produced another Tchaikovsky favorite Eugene Onegin in 2003. Click here for a complete synopsis of the opera.
Tenor Mathew Edwardsen, last seen here in 2008 as Luigi in Il tabarro, sings the role of Gherman. Soprano Sylvia Stoner, Hanna Glawari in last season's Die lustige Witwe, sings Lisa. Mezzo-soprano Cecelia Stearman portrays the Countess. Having made his UAO debut earlier this summer in The Pirates of Penzance, Baritone Todd von Felker sings Count Tomsky & Pluto (during an Intermezzo). Also returning from the cast of Pirates is Mezzo-soprano Debra Hillabrand as Paulina and Daphnis (during an Intermezzo) and Baritone Thomas Sitzler as Naroumov. Having last appeared as Ferrando in Così fan tutte with UAO, Tenor Keith Boyer sings Tchekalinsky. Tenor Clark Sturdevant, last seen as Ruiz in Il Trovatore, sings Tchaplitsky. Tenor Jon Garrett, seen as Hadji in last season's Lakmé, portrays the Master of Ceremonies. Soprano Elizabeth Schleicher will sing the role of Masha, Lisa's maid.
Artists making their UAO debut include Baritone Jordan Shanahan as Prince Yeletsky, Baritone Nicholas Probst as Sourin and Soprano Stella Markou as Chloë (during an Intermezzo).
Stage director Tim Ocel stages his first full production at Union Avenue Opera with Pikovaya Dama. Fiona Carmody, who last worked on Pirates, serves as Production Stage Manager. The design team includes Patrick Huber (scenic), Kaitlyn Breen (lighting) and Teresa Doggett (costumes). Pianist Alla Voskoboynikova serves as production répétiteur and Russian language coach. Scott Schoonover conducts.
UAO Artistic Director/Conductor Scott Schoonover and stage director Tim Ocel recently sat down with Steve Potter of Cityscape on 90.7 KWMU to discuss the production of Pikovaya Dama. Click here to listen.
Be sure not to miss a free opening night lecture on the opera, taking place Friday, August 20th at 7pm in the Chapel of Union Avenue Christian Church. (Non-ticket buyers welcome.)
Pikovaya Dama opens this Friday, August 20th and will run for three more performances on August 21, 27 & 28. Performances begin at 8pm. Sung in Russian with projected English supertitles. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit http://www.unionavenueopera.org/ or call 314.361.2881
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