Tchaikovsky Opera “Eugene Onegin” Opens at the Bankhead Sept.28
LIVERMORE, CALIF. – Yes, Tchaikovsky does opera too! His most famous Russian opera Eugene Onegin opens at the Bankhead Theater September 28, with the beautiful music for which he is known. This Livermore Valley Opera production, with stage direction by Candace Evans, and the orchestra conducted by LVO's Music Director, Russian-born Alex Katsman, promises an unforgettable experience. The Tri-Valley’s own professional opera company will present two weekends of fully-staged performances at the Bankhead Theater. Details and special events are as follows:
Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
• September 28, 7:30pm, Opening night
• September 29, 2pm
• October 5, 7:30pm
• October 6, 2pm
• Opening Night Gala dinner at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard, 4:00pm. (Separate ticket purchase required.)
The season opens with the first of two operas directed by women. Candace Evans will direct a Tchaikovsky jewel of the Russian operatic repertoire, a passionate drama filled with sweepingly romantic music. Tchaikovsky’s best-loved opera is based on Alexander Pushkin’s profoundly human verse drama. Packed with memorable music, dances and a heart-stopping duel, it tells the bittersweet tale of a love that could have been. Our extravagant production will transport audiences to the courtly elegance of nineteenth century Russia.
“This is a beautiful opera about love denied, unfulfilled, and love lost set to Tchaikovsky’s best music,” says Erie Mills, LVO Artistic Director. “This opera requires a powerful cast and LVO’s cast is wonderful, completely sung in Russian. With the projection of English supertitles, the audience will not miss a word.”
The cast features American baritone Morgan Smith, known for his dramatic portrayals and the power and beauty of his voice will perform the title role of Eugene Onegin, and received praise for his role as Starbuck in San Francisco Opera’s Moby Dick. Ukrainian-born soprano Antonina Chehovska sings the role of Tatiana who is initially rejected by Onegin. Of her performance, the New York Times declared that her “heartfelt ‘Letter Scene’ from Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin made her an audience favorite.” Tenor Kyle van Schoonhoven, a recent graduate of the world renowned Adler Fellowship, at the San Francisco Opera, will sing the role of Lensky. His most recent performance of Wagner's Mein Lieber Schwan, at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House was praised as a "revelation" by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Special Events
Opening Night Gala at Uncle’s Yu’s at the Vineyards
The opening night gala includes dinner at Uncle Yu's at the Vineyard, followed by a dessert reception in the Bankhead Theater. The welcome reception with wine and appetizers begins at 4:00pm and dinner seating at 4:30 pm at Uncle Yu's, conveniently located one-half block from the theater. The three-course dinner will be paired with wines donated by Big White House Winery and John Evan Cellars. Guests will have the opportunity to win a day at Livermore’s Purple Orchid Wine Country Resort and Spa.
Stage Director Candace Evans and LVO’s Music Director Alexander Katsman will be available to meet with guests and provide opera insights. Traditional Russian desserts, wine and coffee bar at the Bankhead lobby begins at 6:30.
Gala Tickets are $95, and are available through Bankhead Theater box office or online at LVOpera.com. Opera performance tickets are a separate ticket purchase.
Red carpet photo op
The red carpet is rolled out for all opera attendees with a photo op against a “step and repeat” backdrop featuring Livermore Valley Opera’s newly designed logo.
Pre-opera talk
Included in the ticket price are engaging lectures before each performance at 6:30pm and 1:00pm, one hour prior to curtain time. LVO’s traditional artist’s reception is held in the lobby immediately following each performance.
New Ticket Pricing:
LVO, like other similar companies, is making a major effort to attract younger people who may have had little or no experience with the magical world of opera, with new pricing for all except tier 1 (row F and G center) seating sections. You may be asked for ID.
Regular adult pricing: $42-$90
Age 40 and under: $40
Age 20 and under: $20
Tickets can be purchased through the Bankhead box office or LVO website at www.LVOpera.com. Gala tickets are $95 per person, separate purchase.
Performance & Box Office Location:
Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550
Bankhead Ticket Office: 925-373-6800
The Box Office is open Tuesday through Saturday: 12:00 Noon to 6:00 p.m.
About the Stage Director
Candace Evans is a director and choreographer known internationally for the clarity of her story telling; praised by Opera News for her “flawless sense of timing.” Through the interplay of music, movement and text, she brings stories to life and audiences to their feet. Her Three Decembers for the Fort Worth Opera Festival was reviewed as "bringing characters vividly to life", and her L’Italiana in Algeri for Opera Southwest was reviewed as “riveting and effervescent.”
With a career of directing and choreographing over eighty operas, musicals, plays, and ballets, Ms. Evans is known for her collaborative spirit and critically praised work. Her production of La Viuda Alegre for the legendary Teatro Colón was voted one of the top three operas of the season by the ArgentinIan National Music Critics Association. Similarly acclaimed among Top Ten classical music events were her Merry Widow for the Dallas Opera and her Carmen and Eugene Onegin for Madison Opera. Among other career favorites are Don Pasquale, which inaugurated Dallas Opera’s Winspear Opera House; Candide, Roméo et Juliette, La Bohème, Werther, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Ariadne auf Naxos for a variety of regional and international houses.
About Music Director and Conductor Alexander Katsman
Alexander Katsman is the Music Director of Livermore Valley Opera. As alumni of the San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program, Mr. Katsman received his M.M. from St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory and his B.M. cum laude from Mussorgsky College of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Since his arrival in the United States, Alexander has been sought after as a conductor and collaborative pianist. He conducted for Opera San Jose, West Bay Opera, Martinez Opera, Bayshore Lyric Opera, Berkeley West Edge Opera, Oakland Lyric Opera, Solo Opera, San Francisco Lyric Opera, Opera Academy of California, Peninsula Teen Opera, Diablo Light Opera, Town Hall Theater, and also at CalState University East Bay and Diablo Valley College. Recently Alexander was rehearsal conductor for Castleton Festival’s Berkeley performances of Albert Herring and The Rape of Lucretia. He was also Artistic Director for the Alexander Vocal Series, premier vocal recital series in Piedmont, California.
His conducting credits include over 60 opera, operetta, and musical theater productions, including Orfeo et Euridice, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, The Magic Flute, The Impresario, The Apothecary, La Cenerentola, L’italiana in Algeri, La Traviata, Rigoletto, Un Ballo in maschera, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, La bohème, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Andrea Chénier, Pagliacci, Cavaleria Rusticana, Der Rosenkavalier, Die Fledermaus, Faust, Romeo et Juliette, La Juive, Carmen, Manon, The Bartered Bride, The Merry Widow, Mikado, Trouble in Tahiti, Kismet, Sweeney Todd, The Student Prince, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Carousel, and The Most Happy Fella.
Mr. Katsman serves on conducting faculties of Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute and Opera Academy of California. He is also on the coaching staff at the San Francisco Conservatory.
About LVO
Livermore Valley Opera was founded in 1992, and presents fully-staged operas at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater in the spring and fall. This gem of a theater features excellent lines of sight and acoustics, helping the opera to attract talented singers and stage directors for their performances.
LVO is a professional opera company and a 501(c) 3 non-profit charitable arts organization. For more information, visit LVOpera.com.
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