Wolf Trap Opera Company Announces Summer 2013 Season and Artist Roster

WTOC's season highlights the return of La traviata in a new Operascape production with the National Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed conductor Grant Gershon

**ALL ANNOUNCED PERFORMANCES GO ON SALE MARCH 16 FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC**

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VIENNA, Va., Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wolf Trap Opera Company, one of America's top residency programs for emerging opera professionals, announces its 2013 summer season and the line-up of Filene Young Artists and Studio Artists. The diverse roster includes 36 up-and-coming singers selected in a comprehensive nationwide audition tour. The season will feature three new productions, including Verdi's masterpiece La traviata (July 19). The Company, joined by the National Symphony Orchestra, will celebrate the composer's bicentennial birthday with a new production featuring a video projection-based scenic design created specifically for the Filene Center, Wolf Trap's outdoor amphitheater. This is the first Wolf Trap Opera Company produced La traviata at the Filene Center since 1977 and was made possible in part through generous philanthropic support from Wolf Trap Foundation Board member Dan D'Aniello and his wife, Gayle, as well as through the generosity of other loyal Wolf Trap Opera Company supporters. The Company will also present original productions of Rossini's The Journey to Reims (June 21, 23, 29) and Verdi's Falstaff (August 9, 11, 14, 17) at its summer home, The Barns at Wolf Trap.

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"The Wolf Trap Opera experience is stronger than ever for this year's roster of Filene Young Artists and Studio Artists, highlighted by uniquely specialized academic and apprentice training," said Arvind Manocha, Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO. "We are committed to helping a rising generation of singers achieve their career goals, and we look forward to showcasing our talented Company by way of three full-length productions, created specifically for Wolf Trap Opera. We are especially thrilled to be able to showcase grand opera at the Filene Center through our production of La traviata featuring the National Symphony under the direction of Grant Gershon."

The 2013 opera season features three new productions created specifically for Wolf Trap Opera:

Verdi's La traviata will be performed one night only, July 19, at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. The new production will be conducted by Grant Gershon—fresh from conducting LA Opera's Madame Butterfly this past November and December—and directed by Jose Maria Condemi, in their Wolf Trap Opera debuts. Gershon has received critical acclaim for his exceptional work as Music Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and as Resident Conductor of the LA Opera. Likewise, Condemi is well-known for his directorial accomplishments at some of the most well-respected opera houses in North America. The production's video projections will be designed by debut artist Aaron Rhyne and lighting will be designed by returning artist Mark Stanley.

Rossini's bel canto comedy The Journey to Reims (Il viaggio a Reims) will be presented at The Barns at Wolf Trap and will be directed by debut artist David Gately. The three performances feature returning conductor Gary Thor Wedow, who last conducted at Wolf Trap in 2011. The new production features scenic design by Evan Adamson and costumes by Paul Carey, both making company debuts, with lighting design by returning artist Robert H. Grimes.

Verdi's comedy Falstaff will be presented for four performances at The Barns at Wolf Trap and will be led by returning artist Dean Williamson, who conducted the Company's 2012 performance of The Rake's Progress. The new production will be led by the returning artistic team who created last season's production of Don Giovanni, including director Tomer Zvulun, set designer Erhard Rom, costume designer Vita Tzykun and lighting designer Robert H. Grimes.  

In addition, Filene Young Artists will perform intimate recitals at The Barns and in the community, including Wonders To Wander To: Songs and Stories of Faraway Lands with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and vocal coach Steven Blier; Aria Jukebox, an interactive showcase of opera highlights; and Vocal Colors, a partnership with The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. that combines music and visual art.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on March 16 for Wolf Trap Opera Company performances and can be purchased online at www.wolftrap.org, by calling 1(877) WOLFTRAP or at the Wolf Trap Box Office located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts at 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, Virginia. For more information, call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.

SOURCE Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts