Unveiling the Seductive Drama of María

May 2, 2024   (Milwaukee)– Prepare to be transported into the sultry world of Buenos Aires as The Florentine Opera  hosts a captivating theatrical performance, María de Buenos Aires on May 17 and 19  at Turner Hall Ballroom. Friday showtime is 7:30pm and Sunday showtime is 2:30pm. This unique fusion of Piazzolla’s nuevo tango and immersive storytelling promises an unforgettable evening of passion, intrigue, and haunting melodies. The performance is one hour and 45 minutes long with one intermission. Sung in Spanish with English supertitles.

“Our audience loved our Luisa Fernanda Zarzuela program in 2022, so we’re thrilled to welcome this production to Milwaukee, one that wowed audiences in Atlanta, San Antonio, and many more cities. This will be the largest capacity performance of this production anywhere, and Milwaukee is already filling the space. As the final major production of our 90th season, following our Bronzeville Bohème, we’re celebrating the scope and variety of opera, and are thrilled Milwaukee audiences are as excited as we are by these great shows.”

Immersive Experience: This unique production takes the opera out of the theater and places it in the immersive setting of Turner Hall, where the performance happens around and within the audience layout. Get up close and witness the gritty tale of a young woman falling in love with tango, as she slides into a murky underworld. This immersive approach transforms all of Turner Hall into a dynamic stage, where professional opera singers and exceptional dancers combine their talent. Two ticket options are available: preferred seating or general admission. Limited tickets remain available for both performances.

Beloved Zarzuela Conductor, Pablo Zinger, returns to the Florentine!
Pablo Zinger, Uruguayan-born New Yorker Pablo Zinger is a multifaceted conductor, pianist, composer, and arranger, celebrated for his expertise in Astor Piazzolla, tango, Zarzuela, and Latin American music. Zinger is renowned worldwide, including notable engagements with Plácido Domingo and Paquito D’Rivera. He is recognized for his acclaimed productions like “Bésame mucho” and “Las tentaciones de González.” Opera News dubbed him “The King of Zarzuela,” and he served as Musical Director of the Patty Disney Zarzuela Series. Zinger’s diverse discography includes “Tango Apasionado” and collaborations with jazz icons like Tito Puente. He conducted prominent orchestras and led Polish operas and concerts across the U.S. and Poland.

Solange Merdinian as María!
We are delighted to welcome the incredibly talented Solange Merdinian as María, a role she debuted at Kentucky, Fort Worth, and  Atlanta Opera houses in the titular role. She also made a new production debut at one of the main theaters in Argentina.  She garnered acclaim for her principal role in Piazzolla’s María de Buenos Aires and has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden. Merdinian  is a dynamic American-Armenian-Argentinean singer, bringing a unique blend of cultural influences and a powerhouse voice to the stage reprising her role of María. Solange Merdinian, a Miami-based American-Armenian-Argentinean singer, is celebrated for her versatile voice and interpretation across genres. Notable appearances include representing Argentina at the UN General Assembly and singing for the Hollywood movie “The Hundred-foot Journey.”

Tickets for María de Buenos Aires 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. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.