Cincinnati Opera Presents "Florencia en el Amazonas"

After receiving much acclaim in Houston, Seattle, and Los Angeles, Mexican composer Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas with its lush, romantic music and stunning sets will make its first voyage east to Cincinnati's stage. Inspired by the "magic realism" work of Gabriel García Márquez, the opera tells the story of Florencia Grimaldi, a famous European diva, who takes a steamboat journey down the Amazon River, returning home to give a concert and search for the man whose love gave her a voice. During her journey, Florencia encounters a number of interesting characters on the boat: a young couple in love, an older couple attempting to reignite love, the young reporter Rosalba, and the mythological Riolobo. Although the voyage is ultimately thwarted due to a cholera epidemic, the events of the journey provide valuable self-discovery for the passengers.

Cincinnati Opera's first-ever mainstage opera in Spanish, will include the original Houston Grand Opera production. American soprano Alexandra Coku will make her Cincinnati Opera debut singing the role of Florencia. Of Ms. Coku's recent Houston Grand Opera performance Opera News writes: "a masterpiece of expressivity."

Making his Cincinnati debut in the role of Riolobo, the spirit of the river, is a two-time 2006 Grammy Award winning Panamanian-American baritone Nmon Ford, who brings his "resonating baritone, and his gripping presence" (Opera News) to the role. Also debuting, mezzo-soprano Emily Golden brings her "handsome mezzo-soprano voice, lustrously dark in the mezzo range" (The New York Times) to sing the role of Paula, one of the passengers.

Soprano Shana Blake Hill, referred to in the Los Angeles Times as "an intense young soprano...a standout," debuts in Cincinnati in the role of Rosalba. Mexican tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, "a star worth watching" (The Washington Post) sings the role of Arcadio. Native New Mexican baritone Carlos Archuleta sings the role of Alvaro. Of Mr. Archuleta's recent portrayal in Nixon in China, Opera News deemed him an outstanding Nixon and writes "he sang the role beautifully." Turkish bass Burak Bilgili will sing the role of Capitan, after appearing onstage in Cincinnati Opera's 2007 Aida as Ramfis.

The talented American conductor, Steven Mercurio, will be on the podium. Maestro Mercurio has written arrangements for a wide array of artists including Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Ben Heppner, Bryn Terfel, Marcello Giordani, and Secret Garden.