ORANGE COUNTY CENTER PERFORMANCES : CASTING ANNOUNCED BY NYC OPERA

New York City Opera has announced casting for productions of Bizet’s “Carmen,” Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” and Bernstein’s “Candide” to be staged in January at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Susanne Marsee will sing the title role in “Carmen,” directed by Frank Corsaro, at the Jan. 13 and 17 performances. Other principals include John Absalom as Don Jose, Elizabeth Hynes as Micaela and Robert McFarland as Escamillo.

On Jan. 15 the principals will be Janis Ruebsamen Eckhart, Robert Grayson, Ruth Golden and Stanley Wexler. Christopher Keene will conduct all performances.

For “Madama Butterfly,” Corsaro’s staging recreated by Christian Smith, Catherine Lamy will sing the title role on Jan. 14 and 18. Other principals include Richard Leech (Pinkerton), Jane Shaulis (Suzuki) and McFarland (Sharpless).

The Jan. 16 cast includes Louisa Jonason, Leech, Jane Bunnell and Scott Reeve. Keen will conduct.

Arthur Masella will direct Harold Prince’s staging of “Candide,” which will be presented seven times, Jan. 20-25.

Cast for the Jan. 20 and 22-24 evening performances will include David Eisler in the title role, Leigh Munro as Cunegonde, John Lankston as Pangloss and Muriel Costa-Greenspon as the Old Lady. Also featured will be Scott Reeve as Maximilian, Ruth Golden as the Baroness/Calliope Player, James Billings as Don Issachar, the Jew/Judge/Father Bernard, Jack Harrold as Baron/Grand Inquisitor/Slave Driver.

For the Jan. 21 evening and Jan. 24 and 25 matinee performances of “Candide,” the cast includes Cris Groenendaal, Claudette Peterson, Joseph McKee, Joyce Castle, James Javore and Richard McKee. Scott Bergeson will conduct.