Vivaldi's Catone in Utica
Opera Lafayette Season 2015-2016
Surrounded by the armies of Julius Caesar, a defiant Cato faces the end of his conflict with Rome’s newly anointed Dictator. Politics and passion collide in the rugged North African city of Utica as Cato’s daughter is drawn to the conquering Caesar. Opera Lafayette's staging of this masterpiece of Italian baroque drama is based on this summer's production at The Glimmerglass Festival and directed by Tazewell Thompson.
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Reviews
"Emilia, sung splendidly by the young mezzo-soprano Julia Dawson, lurked in the background through most of the first half, like everyone’s bad conscience, but suddenly turned into a spitfire before intermission, vowing to avenge her husband’s death. As Caesar, Mr. Holiday, a robust and brilliant countertenor, had similar animated opportunities and made the most of them. As Cato, Mr. Allen, a strong veteran tenor, took his wrath out harrowingly on Marzia, his daughter, having learned of her secret love for Caesar. Anna Reinhold, a mezzo-soprano, sang Marzia beautifully, and Marguerite Krull was effective in the thankless trouser role of Arbace, Marzia’s would-be lover. (Don’t you hate it when a Caesar gets in your way?) Eric Jurenas, another powerful and pliant countertenor, sang Fulvio, Caesar’s aide." | Read Full Review
James Oestreich, The New York Times, December 2, 2015
"Brown is not a conductor who imposes himself on the music. He simply is the music, and his musicians follow him with a unanimity that is a joy to watch...[he] has the ability to discern which particular details of shape and texture will most vividly characterize a mood, throwing open the doors to great variety in his music-making." | Read Full Review
Patrick Rucker, The Washington Post, November 29, 2015
Performed
Washington, DC:
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Terrace Theater, The Kennedy Center
New York City:
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Gerald W. Lynch Theater, John Jay College
Explore more performances from Opera Lafayette past seasons.