(New York, NY, June 8, 2009) New York City Opera in conjunction with the River To River Festival, will present three consecutive nights of free concerts at different venues along Lower Manhattan's spectacular waterfront: The Magic Flute at Rocekfeller Park (June 25), La Navarraise at World Financail Center Winter Garden (June 26), and Opera on the Pier, a concert of operatic favorite arias and ensembles, at The Seaport's Pier 17. All performances will feature the New York City Opera Orchestra and singers. 

 

Founded in 2002 to revitalize Lower Manhattan by bringing the arts to new audiences and new artists to public attention, the River To River festival is New York's largest free summer arts festival. New York City Opera is thrilled to make music available to the ears of the widest possible audience, with three distinct varied programs for the opera novice or expert alike.

 

“The River To River Festival is thrilled to join with New York City Opera in bringing three nights of free opera to festival-goers this year,” said Valerie Lewis, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communication for the Downtown Alliance. “At a time when audiences need art and inspiration more than ever, we are determined to bring them outstanding, world-class entertainment at a price that can’t be beat.”

 

The schedule for New York City Opera follows:

 

The River To River Festival brings New York City Opera’s popular Opera For All program to Rockefeller Park with a one-hour version of Mozart's The Magic Flute, sung in English and featuring New York City Opera soloists and orchestra. The Magic Flute is an ideal introductory opera, offering familiar tunes, colorful characters, rollicking comedy, and an upbeat message for audiences of all ages.

 

The cast includes Brian Anderson as Tamino, Lielle Berman as Pamina, Michael Zegarski as Papageno, Sharla Nafziger as Papagena, Amy Shoremount-Obra as Queen of the Night, Jeffrey Halili as Monastatos, Eric Jordan as Sarastro, Melissa Fogarty as First Lady, Emily Langford Johnson as Second Lady and Krysty Swann as Third Lady. The Magic Flute will be conducted by Jayce Ogren.

 

The River To River Festival brings New York City Opera’s popular Opera for All program to the World Financial Center's Winter Garden with a concert performance of La Navarraise, a rarely performed Massenet opera. In this gripping one-act work, a turbulent love story unfolds against the backdrop of civil war in Spain. Performed by the New York City Opera soloists and orchestra, La Navarraise reveals the composer of Manon and Thais at his lyrical best.

 

The cast includes Eric Jordan as Garrido, Theodora Hanslowe as Anita, Andrew Drost as Ramon, Raúl Melo as Araquil, Brian Kontes as Remigio, Jeffrey Tucker as Bustamente. The concert will also feature tenor Brian Anderson and baritone Michael Zegarksi. La Navarraise will be conducted by Steven Osgood.

 

The River To River Festival brings New York City Opera’s popular Opera for All program to The Seaport with a concert program of beloved arias, duets and overtures. The program will include orchestral pieces along with selections from 19th and 20th century repertoire.

 

BERNSTEIN Candide Overture

BIZET Duet from Les pêcheurs de perles

BLITZSTEIN "Addie's Blues" from Regina

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN Carousel Overture

FLOYD "The Trees on the Mountain" from Susannah

STRAVINSKY "Here I Stand" from The Rake's Progress

ROSSINI "Largo al factotum" from Il barbiere di Siviglia

COPLAND "The Promise of Living" from The Tender Land

VERDI "La donna è mobile" from Rigoletto

DELIBES Flower Duet from Lakmé

WEILL Ice Cream Sextet from Street Scene

 

Opera on the Pier will be conducted by Steven Mosteller, with soprano Lielle Berman, mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann, tenors Andrew Drost and Raúl Melo, baritone Marco Nisticó, and bass Eric Jordan.

 

 

The River To River Festival, presented by American Express, is a collaboration of Lower Manhattan’s major cultural event producers including the Alliance for Downtown New York, arts>World Financial Center, Battery Park City Authority, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Port Authority of NY & NJ, and The Seaport. These partners are firmly committed to using the arts as a tool for revitalization and to the development of new audiences for the arts. Free admission to River To River® events is underwritten by a wide range of funders, led by the Festival's Founding Title Sponsor, American Express. Major support is provided by the Festival's Producing Partners, including, NBC Local Media New York and WNYC New York Public Radio. Vital support comes from our Supporting Funders, including, Century 21 Department Stores, JetBlue Airways, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, KEXP, and The Village Voice. Participating Funders are CB Richard Ellis, EmblemHealth, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, The Moody’s Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New York Marriott Downtown, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Stock Exchange Foundation, and TKTS Seaport.

 

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