Knoxville Opera once again brings passion to East Tennessee in the 2010-2011 season with the upcoming production of Puccini’s masterpiece, Madame Butterfly.
This will be a new production of the classic tale, designed and conceived by Carroll Freeman and Brian Salesky.  
Fast-rising Korean star Jin-Won Park will make her U.S. stage debut as the innocent Butterfly, condemned by the Japanese culture of early 1900 for choosing to forsake family and community and marry a reckless American naval officer, when the heartbreaking story is staged at the historic Tennessee Theatre on October 1 at 8 p.m. and October 3 at 2:30 p.m.  
Brian Salesky, now in his sixth year as Knoxville Opera’s Executive Director, is expanding his artistic vision by co-creating and constructing a dramatic new set for the well-known opera.
“It is thrilling to see the new set take shape in our studio” says Salesky. “The unique production includes a massive 17’ high Japanese torii gate, a 60” gong, flying sh?ji screens and an imposing Kabuki character not usually presented in Butterfly.”
Also this season is the Knoxville Opera premiere of Massenet’s lush French masterpiece Manon, which ranks alongside Carmen as one of the most sensuous grand operas ever conceived. The production will star the riveting Talise Trevigne, returning to Knoxville from 2009’s Rigoletto in the story of an insatiable, bewitching seductress who ruins her life in pursuit of love, fame and fortune in Paris.
Joining Trevigne is internationally renowned Spanish tenor Israel Lozano from Madrid for performances on Friday February 11 at 8:00 PM and Sunday February 13 at 2:30 PM. Veteran Metropolitan Opera bass Andrew Wentzel (the UT Vols’ “Anthem Man”) is featured as the Count.
“Valentine weekend is the perfect setting for this romantic, passionate tale and we’re ecstatic to welcome back Talise in a role far different than her recent performance in Dallas Opera’s world premiere of Moby Dick.” says Salesky.
The centerpiece of the 10th Annual Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival will be the Southeast U.S. premiere of Bellini’s dramatic I Puritani (The Puritans) an opera known for its challenging vocal fireworks. The Metropolitan Opera’s stunning coloratura soprano Rachele Gilmore returns to Knoxville following an overwhelming triumph as Knoxville Opera’s 2010 Lucia. The story, set during the English Civil War, provides Gilmore’s character ample opportunity to “go mad” in the style of Lucia di Lammermoor.
“I Puritani is a feast of sensational soaring melodies and the highest notes ever performed on the Knoxville Opera stage. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Knoxville to experience the stupendous vocal pyrotechnics once made famous by the legendary Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.” says Salesky.
Joining Gilmore on stage is Yeghishe Manucharyan, the uniquely talented Armenian tenor, and Knoxville favorite Nelson Martinez who returns from 2010’s Lucia and 2009’s Rigoletto. Performances of I Puritani are held Friday April 8, 2011 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 10 at 2:30 PM.
Tickets for Knoxville Opera productions start at $18 for adults and $13 for students. Group discounts and subscriptions are also available. Seating is limited, and advance tickets are highly recommended. For details go to KnoxvilleOpera.com or call 865.524.0795.

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