Florentine Opera 90th Season Opener

September 26,2023 (Milwaukee)– The Florentine Opera is thrilled to kick off its 90th season “With a Twist” with a story of the underdog gets the girl, Donizetti‘s Elixir of Love set in the charming town of Napa. Elixir of Love takes place on October 13 and 15 at Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Friday showtime is 7:30pm and Sunday showtime is 2:30pm.

“Picture this: A sleepy little village, a hapless hero, a cunning quack, and a love potion that’s more potent than a double espresso on a Monday morning,” says Maggey Oplinger, General Director and CEO of the Florentine Opera. “Our 90th season is all about delivering the classics with a twist, and Elixir of Love is the perfect blend of romance and hilarity to start things off with a bang. We can’t wait to bring this charming performance to the stages of Milwaukee.”

Prepare to be enchanted by the misadventures of Nemorino, the lovable but clueless hero, as he tries to win the heart of the beautiful and unattainable Adina. With the dubious help of the quack doctor, Dulcamara, Nemorino resorts to a love potion that promises to make Adina fall head over heels for him. But in a town where gossip travels faster than a viral meme, chaos ensues, and laughter is guaranteed!

1940s Napa fits this opera well, as wine plays a huge cultural and economic role in both California and in Italy. The community feel in a modern vineyard doesn’t fall far from how wine was produced and created a sense of camaraderie in days past. To discover more similarities, The Florentine Opera is offering a wine tasting and pre-show exploration of the similarities and differences of these two timeframes and geographies.

Marie-Eve Munger returns to the Florentine- Canadian coloratura soprano returns to the Florentine since her appearance in Idomeneo at the Florentine in 2012. Munger also appeared in Cendrillon at Lyric Opera of Chicago, in the production where Music Director Francesco debuted as a conductor in 2019.

Andrew Stenson makes debut with Florentine as Nemorino – A graduate of Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artists Program, tenor Andres Stenson appeared in the World Premiere of Bel Canto with Lyric Opera of Chicago, a production televised on PBS.

Stage Director Brenna Corner debuts with the Florentine- after a busy summer bringing Carmen to life for Des Moines Metro Opera. Brenna specializes in bringing traditional opera to life for today’s audience. Her work regularly graces the stage of the San Diego Opera, New Orleans Opera, the Atlanta Opera, among others.

Get ready to be swept away by the incredible vocal performances and witty humor that will have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you’re a seasoned opera aficionado or a first-time attendee, this production promises an unforgettable night of music, mirth, and mayhem.

So, mark your calendars, grab your opera glasses, and join us as we raise the curtain on our 90th season “With a Twist” with Donizetti’s Elixir of Love. It’s an evening of opera that’ll have you laughing, crying, and falling in love all over again!

Tickets for Elixir of Love are available now and can be purchased by visiting www.florentineopera.org, emailing tickets@florentineopera.org, or calling 414.291.5700 ext. 224. Don’t miss your chance to experience this timeless classic brought to life by one of Wisconsin’s oldest performing arts companies.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.