Tenor Anthony Kearns to Perform First Comedic Role in Die Fledermaus

Emerald City Opera Hosts Johann Strauss Jr.'s Most Famous Operetta on Aug. 18, 2011

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Famed Tenor Anthony Kearns will perform his first comedic role as "Alfred" in the opera, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss Jr., with The Emerald City Opera on August 18, 2011 in Steamboat Springs, CO.

The one-night only production will take place in the beautiful Strings Music Pavilion at 7:00 p.m.  Built in 2008, the $4.3 million, 548-seat String Music Pavilion is home to the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival and provides a world-class acoustical experience.  Tickets may be purchased at: www.emeraldcityopera.com under Box Office.

"It's an honor to have Anthony Kearns join us for this highly-anticipated operatic experience. His talent will surely help make this show an unforgettable event," said Jack Dysart, chairman and C.E.O. of the opera.

"The Emerald City Opera is thrilled to have Mr. Kearns join us for one of the world's greatest operettas. His talent and stage presence will add so much to this production, and to the cast of international artists who are excited to work with him," said Keri Rusthoi, Artistic Director.

 "I always take the time to delve into my passion for opera because it's an art form that touches the heart and soul and speaks to eternal truths, whether humorous or tragic," said Mr. Kearns. "I'm pleased to perform with the Emerald City Opera Company because of its reputation for artistic excellence."

Die Fledermaus is a three-act operetta composed by the Austrian-born Strauss, which premiered in 1874, in Vienna, and quickly became part of the regular operetta repertoire. The story is set in 19^th century Vienna, and has the brand of allure and pinpoint orchestral sound reminiscent of Wolfgang Mozart.  Among other stars, legendary Tenor Luciano Pavarotti performed in Die Fledermaus in 1990 with the Royal Opera House of Covent Garden with stars Soprano Joan Sutherland and Mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. 

Recent operas performed by the Emerald City Opera include Hansel and Gretel, George Bizet's Carmen, and The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti. Soprano Audrey Luna performed with the Emerald City Opera Company in 2006 and was cast with Mr. Kearns in Opera Naples [FL]'s January production of Lucia di Lammermoor.  Besides Kearns, the ensemble cast includes New York Metropolitan Opera singers Mark Thomsen, Kara Shay Thomson, and Kathryn Krasovec. 

Emerald City Opera (ECO) promotes professional opera and the vocal arts in Northwest Colorado through educational and musical opportunities in collaboration with world-class artists. It has recently been an epicenter for operatic stars to come and perform due to its professional atmosphere and beautiful scenery.

In addition to being the youngest and founding member of the world-wide sensation, The Irish Tenors, (with whom he has 10 CDs), Kearns has received international accolades for his performances in some of the world's most prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House.  His flourishing international solo career includes major television appearances, concert tours, and collaborations with the finest orchestras, including the Boston Pops, the Chicagoland Pops, and the Czech National Orchestra.

Kearns made his official U.S. Grand Opera debut as the lead tenor role of "Edgardo" in Lucia di Lammermoor with Opera Naples [FL] – considered Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti's masterpiece.  His first appearance with the opera company came last year as "Romeo" in their production of Romeo and Juliet: Then and Now. This June, Kearns performed in the lead tenor role, "Don Ottavio," in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Lismore Music Festival. Other roles include: "Don Jose" in the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Glasthule Opera Company's 2010 production of Georges Bizet's Carmen; the lead tenor in the Royal Dublin's Society performance of The Lily of Killarney (part of "The Irish Ring" trilogy); "Fenton" in Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff (in Montepulciano, Italy); and finally, as "Rinuccio" in Puccini's comic opera, Gianni Schicci, with Opera Ireland. 

In early 2012, Mr. Kearns will return to Opera Naples [FL] as the lead tenor in Charles Gounod's Faust, a role he previously performed with Opera Ireland (nominated for best production in the Irish Times Theater Awards in 2006).

For more information about the Emerald City Opera, please contact Jack Dysart (Emerald City Opera) at 970.879.1996 or [email protected].

For more information or to request an interview or special engagement with Mr. Kearns, contact Kirsten Fedewa (on behalf of Anthony Kearns) at 202.365.6936 or [email protected].

SOURCE Emerald City Opera