Macbeth

Opera Colorado brings Verdi's Macbeth to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House starting November 7, with performances running through the 15th. It's a production of the 1847 opera, set in 11th-century Scotland, and it follows the same story you know from Shakespeare. The libretto is by Francesco Maria Piave and Andrea Maffei, and it premiered at the Teatro della Pergola in Florence.

On stage, Norman Garrett takes the title role as Macbeth, with Marcy Stonikas as Lady Macbeth. Edward Graves plays Macduff, Kenneth Kellogg is Banquo, and Matthew Plenk is Malcolm. The supporting cast includes Wei Wu as the Doctor, Xiao Xiao as the Lady-in-Waiting, and Mason O'Brien, Emily Thompson, and Bridget Ravenscraft as the three apparitions. The chorus is led by Sahar Nouri.

Opera Colorado is framing this one around the idea that whispers become prophecy and ambition is fueled by the stories we choose to believe—what happens when rumor turns into power, and how our voices help shape the rise and fall of leaders. The score is meant to heighten the human vulnerability and terrifying momentum of a world driven by fear, desire, and the stories we amplify. The production is sung in Italian, with English and Spanish captions projected for the audience.

Behind the scenes, conductor Patrick Summers leads the company; he's the Music Director Emeritus of Houston Grand Opera. Stage director Dan Wallace Miller, who founded Vespertine Opera Theater, has staged new productions at Seattle Opera and San Francisco Opera. There are four performances in total: evening shows on November 7, 10, and 13 at 7:30 PM, and a matinee on November 15 at 2:00 PM. A free pre-performance lecture runs one hour before each show.