Community choral ensemble MasterVoices, led by Artistic Director and Tony winner Ted Sperling, will present a concert staging of Bizet's Carmen—featuring an English translation by Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me lyricist Sheldon Harnick—during its upcoming 2022-23 season, directed by Sammi Cannold (New York City Center Evita) and starring Ginger Costa-Jackson in the title role.
Set for October 25 at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the performance will feature Carmen's original Opéra Comique version with dialogue instead of recitative. The concert, originally planned for March 2020, will serve as the New York premiere of Harnick's full translation.
Along with Costa-Jackson and the 120-member MasterVoices chorus, the concert will feature Mikaela Bennett as Micaëla and John Brancy as Escamillo. Joining Cannold on the creative team are choreographer Gustavo Zajac, costume desginer Nicole Slaven, scenic designer Ann Beyersdorfer, and lighting designer Brian Tovar.
Also planned for the upcoming season are O How Good March 23 at Central Synagogue, which will include performances of Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service, Kurt Weill's Kiddush, and a world premiere from Israeli-American composer Daniel Rein; and Gilbert and Sullivan's 1882 comic opera Iolanthe May 3 at Carnegie Hall with Sperling at the helm.
Sperling, who has led the ensemble since 2013, has also extended his contract and will remain with the organization for at least six more years.
"Ever since 2009, when Ted guest-conducted Firebrand of Florence, we knew we had found someone special," share MasterVoices Board of Directors Co-Chairs Juliana Chen and Deborah F. Stiles in a joint statement. "He is the ideal leader for MasterVoices as we enter this new era—his musical talent, unfailing instincts, and steadfast commitment to excellence have always been a perfect fit for this organization. We see great things ahead!"
Separate from the upcoming season, MasterVoices will sing in Joe Hisaishi: Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki at Radio City Music Hall August 13–18. The concert production will include material from Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, and Spirited Away, accompanied with montages from the films. Hisaishi will be at the podium for the performances leading the American Symphony Orchestra.
Eddie Cooper, Douglas Sills, Vanessa Williams, and Michael Mulheren
Douglas Sills, Vanessa Williams, Eddie Cooper, and Michael Mulheren
Ted Sperling
Vanessa Williams and Douglas Sills
Vanessa Williams and Douglas Sills
Elizabeth Stanley and Vanessa Williams
Douglas Sills and Elizabeth Stanley
Elizabeth Stanley
Ted Sperling and Elizabeth Stanley
Elizabeth Stanley and Santino Fontana
Elizabeth Stanley and Santino Fontana
Santino Fontana
Esther Lee
Vanessa Williams and Ted Sperling
Vanessa Williams
Douglas Sills
Elizabeth Stanley
Elizabeth Stanley, Santino Fontana, and the Master Voices Chorus
Elizabeth Stanley and Santino Fontana
Douglas Sills, Mark Spergel, Santino Fontana, and Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams
Ensemble of Anyone Can Whistle
Cast of Anyone Can Whistle
Cast of Anyone Can Whistle
Ensemble of Anyone Can Whistle
