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LA Opera Presents Renée Fleming
in A Streetcar Named Desire
Internationally celebrated soprano stars as Blanche DuBois
in André Previn’s opera (May 18, 21 and 24, 2014)
(Los Angeles) September 4, 2013 — Eli and Edythe Broad General Director Plácido Domingo
announced that LA Opera has added an eighth opera to the 2013/14 season, with soprano Renée
Fleming starring in the Company premiere of A Streetcar Named Desire, by composer André
Previn and librettist Philip Littell. Ms. Fleming will sing the leading role of Blanche DuBois, which
she created at the work's 1998 world premiere at the San Francisco Opera. Conductor Patrick
Summers will lead the LA Opera Orchestra in three semi-staged concert performances, which will
take place on Sunday, May 18, 2014, at 5pm; Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30pm; and Saturday, May
24, 2014, at 7:30pm at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA
90012.
"Renée Fleming is, quite simply, one of the greatest singers of our time," said Mr. Domingo. "I am
absolutely thrilled that LA Opera has this opportunity to present her in an increasingly rare operatic
performance, especially since the role of Blanche DuBois was tailored specifically for her
extraordinary talents. LA Opera has a longstanding commitment to contemporary work, and this
presentation of A Streetcar Named Desire enables us to expand our mainstage repertory with an
exciting Company premiere. I know that our audiences will enjoy it enormously."
One of the most beloved and celebrated musical ambassadors of our time, soprano Renée Fleming
captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage
presence. At a White House ceremony in July of this year, President Barack Obama awarded her
the National Medal of Arts, America's highest honor for an individual artist. Known as “the people’s
diva” and a four-time Grammy Award winner, including the 2013 Grammy for Best Classical Vocal
Solo, she continues to grace the world’s greatest opera stages and concert halls, now extending her
reach to include other musical forms and media.
“The role of Blanche DuBois is always a thrilling challenge," said Ms. Fleming. "She is an iconic
character of the American stage, and as realized for the opera by my cherished friend, the brilliant
composer and Hollywood legend André Previn, I think she’s compelling in new ways, for new
audiences.”
In addition to Ms. Fleming, the cast will include bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as Stanley Kowalski
and soprano Stacey Tappan as Stella. Tenor Anthony Dean Griffey, who created the role of
Harold "Mitch" Mitchell in 1998, will reprise the role in Los Angeles. The presentation will be directed
by Brad Dalton, with costumes designed by Johann Stegmeir and lighting designed by Duane
Schuler.
Renée Fleming made her LA Opera mainstage debut in 2006 as Violetta in La Traviata, conducted
by James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director. The production was filmed and
released on DVD. LA Opera has also presented Ms. Fleming in recital three times, as well as in a
2013 joint recital with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham in collaboration with the LA Philharmonic.
"Our LA Opera audiences will have much to cheer about when Renée Fleming returns to our main
stage," said Mr. Conlon. "This occasion will also give an opportunity to Los Angeles to pay homage
to André Previn who, over a lifetime as composer, conductor and pianist, has made an enormous
contribution to the cultural life of our city. As his colleague and admirer, I am delighted to see his
opera presented on our season's program."
André Previn's operatic adaptation of Tennessee Williams' iconic play was commissioned by the San
Francisco Opera, where it was filmed for telecast on PBS' "Great Performances" and released on
DVD. Since the work's 1998 premiere, it has been staged at opera houses around the world,
including San Diego Opera, Washington National Opera, Theater an der Wien (Vienna), Opéra
National du Rhin (Strasbourg), Opera Australia and New Orleans Opera. The work has also been
performed in concert or in semi-staged performances at London's Barbican Arts Centre and, earlier
this year, at Carnegie Hall and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Tickets to A Streetcar Named Desire will go on sale to the general public on October 20. Tickets are
currently available for full subscribers, and will go on sale to current ticket package holders and last
season's ticket buyers on October 17. Tickets to A Streetcar Named Desire start at $16 and will be
available for purchase in person at the LA Opera Box Office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, by
phone at 213.972.8001 or online at www.LAOpera.com. For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or
email laopera@laopera.com.
For more information, please visit www.LAOpera.com.
To download photos from LA Opera's press gallery, please click here.
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