he needs a diversion.  Burning down the village is a bit overzealous, but a fiery romance like this is perfect for Valentine’s Day. 

Bizet composed some of his most beautiful music for The Pearl Fishers, including a duet early in Act 1 between the friends, Nadir and Zurga, which is one of the most famous duets in all of opera.  The action on stage is equally important, though, and the WGO has big plans there as well.  Herbert Kellner, a nationally renowned stage director who works frequently with Lyric Opera Chicago, will be directing the production.  His visually appealing style and compelling characterizations will keep you riveted to your seat.  Wichita Grand Opera has provided Mr. Kellner with an outstanding cast of singers to direct.

Starring as Leila, the woman at the center of the firestorm, is the sublime Larisa Yudina, star soprano of Russia’s Mariinsky Opera (previously known as the Kirov).  Her engaging stage presence and movie-star appearance make her an audience favorite everywhere she performs.  Ms. Yudina made her US debut three seasons ago starring in WGO’s Lucia di Lammermoor.  Last month she performed the role of Leila with Seattle Opera just before her return to Wichita.

William Browning will take on the complex role of the jealous chieftain, Zurga.  A WGO Resident Artist, he shined opposite Sam Ramey in Faust last season.  Regarding his recent New York debut at the VPR Theater singing the four villains in The Tales of Hoffmann, the Brooklyn Eagle said “William Browning… beguiled the audience with his firm, expressive baritone, sinister laugh and magical stage presence, often seeming to pop up from nowhere.”

The role of Nadir, Leila’s lover, will be played by Genaro Mendez, a charismatic Mexican tenor familiar to the Wichita audience as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and Spoletta in Tosca.  In addition to these riveting roles, Mr. Mendez has performed Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with the Heartland Opera Theater, and Ramiro in Rossini’s Cenerentola with Springfield Regional Opera.  Rising young star Scott Conner, recent winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s District competition, will once again command your attention as Nourabad, the High Priest.  He appeared last season with WGO as Colline in La Boheme and Wagner in Faust.  Expect riveting chemistry throughout this love triangle. 

German maestro Ekhart Wycik, Associate General Music Director and Principal Conductor of Germany’s Dortmund Opera Theater, will conduct the performance.  His productions receive rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, and his conducting is in demand everywhere from Scottish National Opera in Glasgow to Beseto Opera in Seoul, South Korea.  This will be Maestro Wycik’s fifth appearance with the Wichita Grand Opera.

Costumes for this production, designed by Patricia Kissick, have been created in traditional Sri Lankan (Ceylon) style featuring bright, flowing colors.  Authentic saris have been graciously loaned to WGO by two local Indian ladies, Deema DeSilva and Sudah Tokala. The sets by Stefan Pavlov and Greg Lohkamp capture the realistic atmosphere of of a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, with a variety of gods and temples found in Ceylon.

Don’t delay making Valentine’s Day plans to attend The Pearl Fishers.  Tickets to the opera cost $85, $58, or $35 each, and excellent seats are still available.  For more information, call Wichita Grand Opera’s Box Office at 316-262-8054 or visit www.WichitaGrandOpera.org.  Tickets may be purchased to either performance of The Pearl Fishers through WGO’s box office or any Select-A-Seat outlet.

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