Ramey and Raspagliosi Reunite in WGO's Don Carlo

Samuel Ramey and Annalisa Raspagliosi reunite in WGO’s New Production of "Don Carlo," Sept. 25 and 27

     Wichita Grand Opera’s 15th Anniversary Season continues this month with Verdi’s masterpiece,Don Carlo, at Century II at 7pm, September 25, and 3pm, September 27. Don Carlo is one of Verdi’s greatest ensemble works—it takes six great singers to do justice to Verdi’s score. The plot of Don Carlo is straight out of the history books, but spiced up with extra romantic tension the way only Grand Opera can.

     Kansas native Samuel Ramey stars as the Grand Inquisitor, the chief nemesis of King Philip. The Los Angeles Times has called Ramey a “national treasure.” He has performed in every major opera house in the world, and his numerous honors include three Grammy awards, the rank of Commander in the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Ministry of Culture, a lifetime achievement award fromOpera America, and Kansan of the Year.

     "Don Carlo is one of my favorite operas," said Ramey. "Through most of my career I've sung Philip, in all the big opera houses of the world. I've done the Inquisitor a few times now, and it's a great part. One of the greatest scenes in all of opera is the duet between Philip and the Grand Inquisitor."

     WGO’s new production reunites Ramey with Italian soprano Annalisa Raspagliosi, a frequent co-star to the late, great Pavarotti around the world, including at WGO’s Inaugural Gala in 2002. Ramey made his home-state debut as the malevolent Baron Scarpia in WGO’s 2007 Tosca, opposite Raspagliosi in the title role. This time, she stars in the notoriously difficult role of Queen Elisabeth.

     “I have a special affection for the people of Wichita and the WGO,” Ms. Raspagliosi said, “and I’m very, very happy to come back and meet everybody again after so long a time.”

     Uruguayan tenor Gaston Rivero makes his U.S. debut as the troubled Prince, Don Carlo, in WGO’s production. Mr. Rivero recently starred in the title role of Il Trovatore at Berlin State Opera with Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo, conducted by Daniel Barenboim, a production simulcast internationally. Opera News praised his performance as “exciting and fresh… a youthful voice that projects both daring and vulnerability.”

Gaston Rivero Don Carlo	Annalisa Raspagliosi Princess Elisabeth	Samuel Ramey Grand Inquisitor

     Metropolitan Opera bass-baritone William Powers debuts as King Philip, the most complex role in Don Carlo. Mr. Powers has sung more than 100 roles in his distinguished career, including world premieres of Penderecki's Paradise Lost for Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Harbison's The Great Gatsbyfor The Met, among others.

     Sarah Heltzel makes her WGO debut as the prideful seductress Princess Eboli while Michael Nansel, Wichita’s favorite son, returns in the role of Rodrigo, Carlo’s best friend and confidant.

     American stage director Stanley M. Garner, protégé of Maestro Franco Zeffirelli, returns to direct the cast, while WGO’s principal guest conductor, European maestro Martin Mazik, takes the podium. Don Carlo is designed by Margaret Ann Pent, WGO Founder and Artistic Director, and executed by renowned European scenic artist Stefan Pavlov.

William Powers King Philip	Sarah Heltzel Princess Eboli	Michael Nansel Rodrigo

     This production of Verdi’s masterpiece will be sung in Italian with English supertitles above the stage.

     Tickets for Verdi’s Don Carlo or any other productions in the 2015 season are $95, $60, or $40, with Senior, Student, Corporate, and Group discounts available. Season Subscriptions are also available, saving up to 10% off full ticket price. We also offer our “Day at the Opera” Student package, which includes backstage tours, saving up to 75% for groups of 20 or larger. For visitors from out of town, a hotel and ticket package is available with Ambassador Hotel.

     For tickets for this or any other WGO production in the 2015 Season, call the WGO Box Office, located at Century II at (316) 262-8054, online at www.selectaseat.com, or in person at Century II or any Select-a-Seat Outlet at your local Dillons store.

     For more information, visit www.WichitaGrandOpera.org.