Florida Grand Opera to present Levy’s “Electra” and Wagner’s “Tristan” in 2013-14

By Lawrence A. Johnson

Marvin David Levy

Florida Grand Opera will open its 2013-14 season at the Broward Center with the Southeast premiere of Mourning Becomes Electra, Marvin David Levy’s acclaimed opera, regarded by many as one of the finest American works in the genre.

The opera, which had its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1967, is inspired by Eugene O’Neill’s sprawling play, which updates the Sophocles tragedy to post-Civil War America, with the Mannon family haunted and ultimately destroyed by deep family secrets.

For the 80-year-old composer, it is particularly sweet to be able to see his opera performed in Fort Lauderdale, where Levy has lived for the past twenty years.

“I really am thrilled and very grateful that FGO is going to do Mourning,” said Levy. “I’m especially glad that it’s going to be done in my adopted hometown.”

Susan Danis clearly wasn’t kidding when FGO’s new general director said that it’s a new day at Florida Grand Opera.

In addition to mounting Levy’s opera, FGO will present Wagner’s epic Tristan und Isolde in what may well be its belated Florida premiere.

“Miami is a great international city that deserves a great opera company presenting exciting productions with world-class singers and thought-provoking repertoire and realizations of the operas,” said Danis Tuesday. “That is the vision for the future of FGO.”

The season will also offer Verdi’s Nabucco and Puccini’s Tosca. 

Dates and casting are yet to be announced.

Florida Grand Opera’s La Boheme continues through Dec. 8. fgo.org; 800-741-1010.

Posted in News


13 Responses to “Florida Grand Opera to present Levy’s “Electra” and Wagner’s “Tristan” in 2013-14”

  1. Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 4:19 pm by Jan Solomon

    Absolutely brilliant programming for a new day of opera in South Florida. Levy’s Mourning will bring a quantum leap of opera experience to South Florida audiences. Having Tristan and Isolda in the same season – I have died and gone to heaven! Brava, Ms. Danis. thank you, thank you, thank you!

  2. Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm by wolfgang731

    I, too, share Ms. Solomon’s unabashed excitement. After countless years of lackluster and uninspired programming consisting (a few exceptions notwithstanding) of mainly same old, same old, here is a season that promises to be very exciting. I genuinely believe that this is the kind of season that south Florida opera lovers have been waiting for and, perhaps, more importantly, rightfully deserve. Although I no longer live in Florida, I will very likely come down for both Tristan (my favorite Wagner opera) and Electra (a true American masterpiece). Ms. Danis seems to be the tonic that FGO has so desperately needed for quite some time. Brava and may this only be the beginning.

  3. Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 7:55 pm by Richard Boyum

    This is the sort of season that attracts people like me to travel from Chicago to see a performance. I do plan to attend Mourning Becomes Electra. It was a terrific work when it was seen at Chicago Lyric. A season planned like this puts FGO on the opera goers map!

  4. Posted Nov 20, 2012 at 8:49 pm by STDanis

    Gentlemen:
    Thank you for your enthusiasm and kind words.
    With Miami’s support it will only be the beginning!
    Susan

  5. Posted Nov 21, 2012 at 5:17 am by dolly davis

    Inspired and thoughtful ideas. Miami has needed this for quite some time. Welcome aboard and looking forward to it!

  6. Posted Nov 21, 2012 at 8:28 am by Dave Rosenbaum

    Wow! It’s hard to believe but great news. It’s as if an old opera company is fading into the distance and a new one emerged in its place. I can’t begin to describe how excited I am about this. When Ms. Danis said that she wanted to perform more German operas, I figured Wagner had to be far in the distance considering the difficulty of mounting a production. I’d be very interested to hear how she pulled off this programming (and the kind of re-shuffling that must have gone on; aren’t opera seasons planned years in advance?). Congratulations, Ms. Danis, on restoring excitement to FGO.

  7. Posted Nov 21, 2012 at 8:56 am by William Mustelier

    I’ll become a subscriber again. Thank you.

  8. Posted Nov 21, 2012 at 11:44 am by Rita Chamberlain

    Brava, Susan! An amazing repertoire. Worth the drive from Bradenton to subscribe. Save me a seat.

  9. Posted Nov 21, 2012 at 11:23 pm by Thomas Sleeper

    Fantastic News!! Levy is the real deal. Bravo FGO!!

  10. Posted Nov 22, 2012 at 12:15 pm by Jeremy

    A great season! Finally TRISTAN! Nabucco, such a perfect choice for the audience! A brilliant plan! Bravo Susan Danis and Ramon Tebar, two good additions to the Miami artistic community!

  11. Posted Nov 24, 2012 at 12:39 pm by sergio da silva

    Thisis great news, I had lowered my subscription due to the lackluster season this 2012-2013, now I’ll increase it again, finally a Wagner and one of my faves Tristan!
    Congrats Ms. Danis and welcome aboard!

  12. Posted Nov 27, 2012 at 8:18 pm by dr.paulsalgueiro

    Bravo –you have changed the futuro of F.G.Opera
    thank you

  13. Posted Feb 20, 2013 at 2:56 pm by Marvin

    I am pleased that the Opera elitists are so thrilled with the coming season. I hope there are many, and that they are willing and able to offer unlimited financial support to make up for empty seats. I for one will vote with my feet and give up my 10 year subsciption. Ms. Danis should be aware that many seasonal residents arrive in early December. She also may want to consider that Wagner is not a great favorite among many South Florida patrons for obvious reasons. It was tragic to see the demise of the Florida Philharmonic. A new director should become familiar with a new venue before making sweeping changes. The 2012 season was so “ordinary” and upsetting to a small minority in order to please the crowdand remain viable in times that are so economically challanging for many retirees that make up a large portion of the audience.

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Tue Nov 20, 2012
at 4:06 pm
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