Union Avenue Opera's "Un ballo in Maschera" Opens Friday Night

Soprano Courtney Mills

Union Avenue Opera continues its 18th Festival Season this Friday evening with the mystery and intrigue of Giuseppe Verdi’s magnificent Un ballo in maschera. Riccardo and Amelia share a forbidden love, but the beguiling Amelia is married to Riccardo’s closest friend and confidante Renato. Amelia enlists the aid of sorceress Ulrica in an effort to extinguish her illicit love for Riccardo, but discovers her secret is already out. The culmination takes place at a lavish masked ball as this love triangle turns deadly.

The cast of Un ballo in maschera will be led by three artists making their UAO stage debuts: Tenor Emanuel-Cristian Caraman as the conflicted Riccardo; Soprano and Springfield, Illinois native Courtney Mills as Amelia, the object of his secret passion; and Baritone Andrew Cummings as her suspicious husband Renato.

In the pants role of the pageboy Oscar, Soprano Rachael Holtzhausen also makes her debut. Last seen in the role of Ruth in 2010's The Pirates of Penzance, Mezzo-soprano Denise Knowlton returns as the sorceress Ulrica. Other familiar voices include Todd von Felker (Ping, Turandot) as Samuel and David Dillard (Polyphemus, Acis and Galatea) as Tom, alongside Jon Garrett as Chief Magistrate, Tom Sitzler as Silvano, and Anthony Heinemann as Amelia's servant. The cast is accompanied by a chorus of sixteen local artists including seven making their UAO stage debuts.

Patrick Huber's Set Design Under Construction

Stage Director Mark James Meier returns to stage Ballo after a second critically-acclaimed production of Turandot last season. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Scott Schoonover conducts the orchestra. Webster University graduate Steven Hitsman serves as Production Stage Manager. The design team includes Set Designer Patrick Huber and Costume Designer Teresa Doggett (take a sneak peek at her designs by clicking here). Pianist Henry Palkes serves as Production Répetiteur.

Don't miss UAO's Friday Night Lecture Series at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall presented by Glenn Bauer, Ph.D., Associate Chair, Department of Music at Webster University prior to the Friday night performances (June 29, July 6). Lectures are FREE and open to the public.

Emanuel Cristian-Caraman & Courtney Mills

Ballo in the Media:

Sarah Bryan Miller previews the production in the Post-Dispatch; Patricia Rice interviews Courtney Mills in The Beacon; Hear Scott Schoonover, Courtney Mills and Andrew Cummings interviewed on Cityscape; Nancy Kranzberg interviews Scott Schoonover on KDHX Arts Interview

Also, check out UAO on Twitter and Facebook!

Un ballo in Maschera opens this Friday, June 29 and will continue June 30, July 6 & 7. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church at 733 N. Union Blvd. All performances start at 8pm. Production sung in Italian with Projected English Supertitles. Tickets start at $32 and are available online at www.unionavenueopera.org or by calling the box office Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at 314-361-2881. Student Rush tickets are available for $15 at the door with a valid student ID (cash only).