Media Release
For immediate
release
July 26, 2005
Hit Canadian opera Filumena returns to The Banff Centre for 2005 Banff Summer Arts Festival
Filumena, August 3, 4, 5, 6 7:30 p.m.
Pre-show chats nightly at 7:00 p.m.
Eric Harvie Theatre, The Banff Centre
Adult $25; Student/Senior $20; Child $15;
Arts Lovers Passholders Free
Tickets: call 1-800-413-8368 or 403-762-6301
“Filumena’s Ottawa success is another jewel in its crown.”
Paula
Citron, The Globe and Mail
“One of the most effective operatic scores ever produced in this country, wedded to one of the most skillfully constructed librettos.” William Littler, The Toronto Star
After highly acclaimed performances in Banff and Calgary in 2003, and at the Alberta Scene festival in Ottawa in the spring, the opera Filumena returns to The Banff Centre August 3, 4, 5, and 6 as one of the highlights of the Banff Summer Arts Festival. For the first time, young singers from across Canada, participants in The Centre’s Opera As Theatre program, are cast in the opera’s main roles.
Originally co-commissioned by The Banff Centre and Calgary Opera, Filumena follows the tragic true story of Florence (Filumena) Lassandro, who emigrated with her family from southern Italy to western Canada in the early twentieth century, and who became one of the last women hanged for murder in this country. A story filled with passion, romance, and humour, as well as tragedy, the opera deals with the mysterious events surrounding the murder of Stephen Lawson, an Alberta Provincial policeman shot in the Crowsnest Pass mining town of Coleman, Alberta, while investigating the thriving illicit liquor trade.
A showcase for Canada’s top emerging opera artists, Opera As Theatre brings young singers to Banff for intensive workshops in voice, movement, and acting, culminating in a major production. This year, cast members have had the opportunity to work on Filumena with stage director Kelly Robinson, conductor Imre Palló, voice specialist Selena James, and lyric baritone Gaétan Laperriére. The opera will be accompanied by the 55-piece Banff Festival Orchestra, and will feature sets, costumes, and props by celebrated scenic designer Sue LePage.
Downloadable, high
resolution images from Filumena:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/media_room/images/bsaf_2005/#filumena
Media Contact
Jill Sawyer
Media and Communications Officer, The Banff Centre
403.762.6475
