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The Metropolitan Opera premieres of Sergei Prokofiev�s "War and Peace" and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari�s "Sly," and new productions of Bellini�s "Norma," Verdi�s "Luisa Miller," and Richard Strauss� "Die Frau ohne Schatten" highlight the repertory for the Metropolitan Opera�s 33-week 2001-2002 season, announced today by Joseph Volpe, general manager, and James Levine, artistic director.

The season will open on Monday, September 24, with an all-Verdi Gala Performance conducted by Maestro Levine. A continuation of the company�s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the death of Giuseppe Verdi, the Opening Night Gala Performance includes staged acts from three of the composer�s best known works: Act I of "Un Ballo in Maschera" with Deborah Voigt as Amelia, Youngok Shin as Oscar, Larissa Diadkova as Ulrica, Neil Shicoff as Riccardo, and Alexandru Agache as Renato; Act III of "Otello" with Veronica Villarroel as Desdemona, Plácido Domingo as Otello, Paul Charles Clarke as Cassio, and Nikolai Putilin as Iago; and Act III of "Rigoletto" with Angela Gheorghiu as Gilda, Roberto Alagna as the Duke, Franz Grundheber as Rigoletto, Daniela Barcellona in her company debut as Maddalena, and Sergei Koptchak as Sparafucile.

The Verdi Celebration continues with the opening of the new production of "Luisa Miller" on October 26 conducted by Maestro Levine, and two notable revivals: the classic 1964 production of "Falstaff" in a newly restored and re-staged version under the direction of Franco Zeffirelli and conducted by Maestro Levine; as well as the return to the repertory of "Don Carlo," conducted by principal guest conductor, Valery Gergiev.

Marina Mescheriakova takes the title role of "Luisa Miller," with Denyce Graves as Federica, Neil Shicoff as Rodolfo, Nikolai Putilin as Miller, Carlo Colombara as Walter, and Phillip Ens as Wurm. The new production is by Elijah Moshinsky, Santo Loquasto designs the sets and costumes in his company debut, and Duane Schuler designs the lighting. Bryn Terfel takes the title role of "Falstaff," which opens on March 21, 2002, with Camilla Tilling in her Met debut as Nannetta, Ms. Mescheriakova as Alice Ford, Stephanie Blythe as Mistress Quickly, Susanne Mentzer as Meg Page, Gregory Turay as Fenton, and Dwayne Croft as Ford. The opening night cast for the revival of "Don Carlo" on December 29 includes Galina Gorchakova as Elisabeth, Olga Borodina as Eboli, Richard Margison as Don Carlo, Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Rodrigo, Samuel Ramey as King Philip, and Paata Burchuladze as the Grand Inquisitor.

Valery Gergiev will also be on the podium for the company premiere of "War and Peace" on February 14, 2002. The opening night cast includes Anna Netrebko in her Met debut as Natasha Rostova, Ekaterina Semenchuk in her company debut as Sonya, Elena Obraztsova as Mme. Akhrosimova, Gegam Grigorian as Count Pierre Bezukhov, Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Prince Andrey, Vassily Gerello as Napoleon Bonaparte, and Samuel Ramey as Field Marshal Kutuzov. "War and Peace" is a co-production with St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre. Making debuts with the production are the director Andrei Konchalovsky, the costume designer Tatiana Noginova, and the choreographer Sergei Gritsai. George Tsypin designs the sets and the lighting is designed by James F. Ingalls.

The Metropolitan Opera premiere of "Sly," on April 1, 2002, will be conducted by Marco Armiliato, with Maria Guleghina as Dolly, Pl�cido Domingo in the title role, Juan Pons as the Count of Westmoreland, and John Fanning as John Plake. The production is from the Washington Opera, and is directed by Marta Domingo, who is making her Metropolitan Opera debut. The sets and costumes are designed by Michael Scott and the lighting is designed by Duane Schuler.

"Norma," which has not been heard at the Met since the 1981-82 season, returns in a new production on October 11. Jane Eaglen assumes the title role, with Dolora Zajick as Adalgisa, Richard Margison as Pollione, and Carlo Colombara as Oroveso. Carlo Rizzi conducts, John Copley is the director, the sets and costumes are designed by John Conklin, and the lighting is designed by Duane Schuler.

"Die Frau ohne Schatten," last heard at the Met during the 1989-90 season, returns in a new production on December 13 with Christian Thielemann on the podium. Deborah Voigt sings the Empress, with Gabriele Schnaut as the Dyer's Wife, Hanna Schwarz as the Nurse, Thomas Moser as the Emperor, Wolfgang Brendel as Barak, and Eike Wilm Schulte as the Messenger of Keikobad. Herbert Wernicke makes his debut directing the production, and also designs the sets, costumes, and lighting.

 

* Debut

The MET Orchestra continues its annual series at Carnegie Hall during the 2001-2002 season. Three concerts will be conducted by James Levine:

There will also be a Pension Fund Concert on Sunday, March 24, 2002, with Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna; Bertrand de Billy conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Casting as of March 5, 2001