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The Tri-Valley’s professional opera company, Livermore Valley Opera, is presenting the Giuseppe Verdi classic “Otello” next month as part of its 30th anniversary season.
An operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s play “Othello”, Verdi’s work is a “tragic story of deceit, jealousy and rage … that ranks among his most demanding, both vocally and dramatically,” according to LVO officials.
“‘Otello’ is arguably Verdi’s greatest operatic achievement,” LVO artistic director Erie Mills said in a statement. “It is an opera that involves a big chorus, which we wanted to showcase, and a dynamic cast. And, it’s LVO’s 30th anniversary season, something that deserves to be celebrated with a big production.”
To be staged at the Bankhead Theater, the LVO production will run on March 5-6 and March 12-13 as well as featuring an opening night dinner event and pre-opera educational talks.
Rising tenor Limmie Pulliam will make his LVO debut in the title role while soprano Elaine Alvarez will also perform locally for the first time, as Desdemona, Otello’s wife. Playing Jago will be bass-baritone Phillip Skinner, making his return to the Bankhead stage.
Sung in Italian with English supertitles displayed, “Otello” will be under the stage direction of Candace Evans and accompanied by an onstage orchestra conducted by LVO music director Alexander Katsman.
The shows are set for March 5 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and March 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. at the Bankhead Theater in downtown Livermore. Each performance will be preceded by a one-hour lecture presented by Liesl McPherrin, LVO’s new community outreach director.
The traditional Opening Night Dinner will again be held at Uncle’s Yu’s at the Vineyard, on March 5, with a welcome reception at 4 p.m. and dinner seating at 4:30 p.m. for the separate ticket price of $95. The wine sponsor for the event is Longevity Wines.
Concert tickets run from $20-$95 for adults, including special new ticket pricing of $20 for attendees aged 20 years old and younger, and $40 for ages 21-40. To learn more, visit www.LVOpera.com.
