Opera Orlando presents an all-new production of Verdi’s Macbeth

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Macbeth Promo Video

Video Norman Garrett- Rehearsal

Macbeth | music by Giuseppe Verdi and libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
sung in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles
Friday | October 25, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday | October 27, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Verdi’s Macbeth comes to Steinmetz Hall with an incredible cast in a stunning, original production Destiny takes a dark turn next weekend as Opera Orlando opens its ninth season with an adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic tale of ruthless desire and murder, Verdi’s Macbeth. Headlined by Metropolitan Opera baritone Norman Garrett and soprano Mary-Hollis Hundley as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, this all-new production is led by stage director Matt Haney and conductor Mark Sforzini. Something wicked does indeed this way come to Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center, October 25 and 27. Individual tickets are on sale now.

“There is no better way to start our season than with another Verdi masterpiece,” states Opera
Orlando general director Gabriel Preisser. “Verdi himself wrote ‘...Macbeth I loved more than any
of my other operas,’ and it is easy to see why. It is such a fantastic, deep character study for both
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth set against a savage, war-ravaged, and supernatural landscape, and
we have quite the Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Norman and Mary-Hollis, making their role
debuts with us.”

Driven by his need for power and the prophecy that he is destined to reign, Macbeth and his wife
plot to hasten their prospects, murdering the current king to usurp the throne. This opera is a tour
de force for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they explore the darker side of human emotion and
experience, as well as deliver some of the most intense and athletic singing in the repertoire.

Opera Orlando audiences already know Mr. Garrett is more than up to the task, as he proved
when he sang the role of Escamillo in the Company’s 2021 production of Carmen. Since then he

has continued to be a rising star on the operatic stage, with his booming baritone and
commanding presence earning him the title of “scene-stealing” from the New York Times. His
exciting career has included performances as Jim in Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera,
Foreman/adult James in Fire Shut Up in My Bones at both the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the
Metropolitan Opera, the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro at Seattle Opera, and a recent concert
performance of Carmina Burana with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall. Immediately
following this production Mr. Garrett returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago to sing the role of the
Reverend in Blue.

Sensational soprano Mary-Hollis Hundley has performed with some of the top opera companies
across the country, most recently joining the roster of the Metropolitan Opera as a cover for Sister
Catherine and Sister Lillianne in their production of Dead Man Walking. Last season she also
reprised the role of Joella “Jo” Jenner in The Knock for Cincinnati Opera, as well as singing Freia
in Dayton Opera's Das Rheingold, Alecta in House of Orfeus for Opera Carolina, Frau Schmidt in
The Sound of Music for Arizona Opera, and Die Aufseherin in Elektra with New York Dramatic
Voices. She has also performed with The Glimmerglass Festival, Santa Fe Opera, Detroit Opera,
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Virginia Opera, and following this production she will reprise the role of the Mother in Hansel and Gretel with Helena Symphony in Montana.

This operatic retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous play is the epitome of tragedy as Macbeth
and his wife are ultimately overrun by quilt and grief before they meet their own demise. Lady
Macbeth’s descent into madness and her famous sleepwalking scene is considered one of the
most superb moments in all of Verdi’s operas. Shakespeare’s masterful storytelling, combined
with Verdi’s magnificent music, creates a powerful and emotional work that stands in stark
contrast to Verdi’s other operas, as there is no love story here, just a dark, riveting scramble to
grab power and the aftermath of those actions.

Stage director Matt Haney takes the lead in telling this tale, and this is the perfect project for him
to make his Company debut, as he is known for fresh, innovative productions, whether they be
grand operas, world premieres, or bold takes on opera standards. He recently completed a two-
year residency with Pittsburgh Opera, and he has previously worked with LA Opera, Marble City
Opera — where he directed a new, intimate production of Verdi’s La Traviata, as well as the world
premiere of Follow Suit — and Winter Opera St. Louis. Mr. Haney has worked on more traditional
titles including Carmen and Tosca, and he served as the principal stage director for Rimrock
Opera, receiving acclaim for “cleverly designed takes on fresh productions,” like his 2020
production of Aida. Currently, Mr. Haney is the interim director of opera at Texas State University,
Joining Mr. Haney in crafting this original take on Macbeth, and also making his Company debut,
is conductor Mark Sforzini. Mr. Sforzini served as principal bassoonist of the Florida Orchestra for fifteen seasons before founding St. Pete Opera in 2007. Now in its 17th season, the company has earned praise for bringing multiple lavishly-staged productions of classic operas to the St. Petersburg community each year. Additionally, Mr. Sforzini serves as music director for the Tampa Bay Symphony, and he is also an accomplished composer whose orchestral and chamber works have been commissioned and performed by the Florida Orchestra, Tampa Bay Symphony, Alabama Symphony, and Omaha Symphony. He will be conducting the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for this production.

“Macbeth is such a wonderful world to get to dive into, and it is the perfect opera for Halloween,”
shares stage director Matt Haney. “It has been a pleasure cooking up this production with Opera
Orlando, the creative team, and the phenomenal cast, and I look forward to seeing how Orlando
audiences experience this spooky, ritualistic, and spine-chilling opera on such an incredible
stage.”
—

Consumed by the promise of political power and propelled by his ambitious wife, Macbeth, sung
by international baritone Norman Garrett, gets caught in a murderous web to claim the throne. A
powerful and emotional work, Macbeth is the opera Verdi himself declared to be “unlike any
other!” There is no love story here, just a darkly riveting scramble to grab power at any cost. This
all-new production will be led by maestro Mark Sforzini conducting the Orlando Philharmonic
Orchestra and stage director Matt Haney.

age advisory: PG-13
Estimated run time is two hours and 45 minutes with one intermission. A pre-show talk, free for
all ticket holders, will be held on stage 50 minutes prior to each performance.
Individual tickets for Macbeth start at just $49 and are on sale now through the Dr. Phillips
Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at
www.DrPhillipsCenter.org, or by calling (407) 358-6603.

See YOU at the Opera!