New York City Opera Fall Season Preview

Reposted from my page at Examiner.com.

Lauren Flanigan falls in a scene from Intermezzo.

Although the New York City Opera is currently operating a shortened season schedule, they are still breaking barriers with innovative new works and exciting revivals. We take a look at the Fall Season, which opens on Oct. 27.

A Quiet Place
The New York stage premiere of Leonard Bernstein's final opera.

Written by: Leonard Bernstein

A Quiet Place is the story of a dysfunctional family brought together by the loss of their mother. Bernstein's opera incorporates much of the music from his earlier opera Trouble in Tahiti, presenting the events of Tahiti as a flashback in the second act. The staging is by the same team that did last season's successful Don Giovanni at the City Opera.

Running time: Three hours. Sung in English with English supertitles.
Performed on: Oct. 27, 30; Nov. 4. 6, 12, 14, 16, 21

Intermezzo
Richard Strauss' domestic opera is based on a real incident from his marriage.

With his eighth opera, Strauss turns from Greek mythology to domestic comedy. He wrote the libretto himself, and the portrayal of Christine Storch is based on his own wife. A mix-up over tickets lands a world-class conductor in hot water with his wife. The City Opera's innovative staging of this overlooked Strauss opera makes a welcome return.

Running time: Two hours, 50 minutes. Sung in English with English supertitles.
Performed on: Oct. 31; Nov. 5, 9, 13, 18, 20