OCNC Presents Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow

OCNC Presents Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow

RALEIGH, N.C., March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Opera Company of North Carolina is pleased to announce their production of Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow.

On April 1 at 7:30 PM and April 3 at 2:00 PM, OCNC continues its 2004-2005 season with The Merry Widow in Memorial Auditorium at the BTI Center for the Performing Arts. Lehar's stunning masterpiece celebrates its 100th Anniversary as the crown jewel of European operetta. With spectacular sets and grand tunes, The Merry Widow is truly a feast for the eyes, the ears, and the heart.

Under the baton of The North Carolina Symphony's William Henry Curry, this production features a largely local cast and will highlight "homegrown" talent. Performing the role of Count Danilo Danilovich, is world-renowned baritone, William Stone. Mr. Stone has an extensive resume, including performances at The Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and countless productions throughout Europe. A graduate of Duke University, this will mark Mr. Stone's OCNC debut. Elizabeth Grayson-Williams is no stranger to OCNC audiences. Having last performed for OCNC in An Evening of Carolina Voices, this former Miss North Carolina graces the stage once again as Valencienne. Other familiar faces include: John Oliver as Viscount Cascada, John Cashwell as Raoul de St. Brioche, Henry S. Gibbons as Bogdanovich, Jason S. McKinney as Kromov, Krassen Karagiozov (Winner of the 2004 Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions) as Pritchitch, Andrea Edith Moore as Sylviane, Ellen Williams as Olga, Carolyn McKenna as Praskovia, Fred Gorelick as Njegus, and Courtney Atkins, Emily Baldwin, Cecily Anne Boyd and Megan Crosson as Maxim's Grissettes.

Of course, no production of Lehar's masterpiece would be complete without the Widow, herself. Continuing its mission to provide collaboration between local, national and international performers, OCNC will feature Sheila Smith in the title role. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Ms. Smith performs regularly in the leading opera houses of North America and Europe; including The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera, Cleveland Opera, and L'Opera de Nice. "She is, for me, the perfect casting for the part of our Merry Widow," states OCNC President Robert Galbraith. "People will not only succumb to her statuesque beauty and her extraordinary voice, but to the very core of her being, her innate sensuality, and a smile that could melt stone."

For season subscriptions, group rates, or information on VIP Receptions, call 919-859-6180. Single tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 919-834-4000, or at Ticketmaster.com. The Sunday matinee is audio-described for our visually impaired patrons, courtesy of Arts Access.

Now in its 10th season, the mission of The Opera Company of North Carolina is to bring fresh, dynamic, world-class opera to North Carolina.

Contact: Robert Sinclair Galbraith
The Opera Company of North Carolina
TEL: 919-783-0098
FAX: 919-783-5638
Robert.Galbraith@operanc.com
www.operanc.com

Source: The Opera Company of North Carolina

CONTACT: Robert Sinclair Galbraith of The Opera Company of North
Carolina, +1-919-783-0098, or Fax, +1-919-783-5638, or
Robert.Galbraith@operanc.com

Web site: http://operanc.com/

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