Parlando: The COC Blog

This morning we announced our 2011/2012 season at a press conference that was streamed live over the internet (if you missed it, don't worry: you can watch the whole thing here).

Some highlights: 

• Susan Graham, superstar American mezzo-soprano, will be singing the title role in Iphigenia in Tauris.
• A new production of Rigoletto, directed by Christopher Alden, will be set in the 19th century. Check out some of the costume sketches here.
• Phenomenal soprano Adrianne Pieczonka will sing the title role in Tosca. If you can't wait that long to hear her (or need proof of her powers), catch her a few months from now in Ariadne auf Naxos.
• Love from Afar will be visually stunning. If you don't believe me, check out this YouTube video of the production as it was performed by the English National Opera in 2009. 
• The Tales of Hoffmann will feature the COC debut of John Relyea.
• The legendary Catherine Malfitano will be directing a double-bill: Zemlinsky's A Florentine Tragedy and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi. Both have beautiful music: have a listen here.
• Semele will be performed at the COC for the very first time. The set will feature a Ming Dynasty ancestral temple. Take a look at the production photos here.

We also unveiled a new brand this morning (you may notice that the website looks a little different) as well as a new subscription series, Weekday Rush, that automatically upgrades you to the best available seats on the day of the performance.