St.Clair to Conduct ‘Magic Flute’ to Open Opera Pacific’s Season

Pacific Symphony music director Carl St.Clair will make his Opera Pacific debut conducting Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” Nov. 7-12 to begin the company’s four-opera season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

In Mozart’s final opera, Pamela Armstrong, making a company debut, will sing Pamina. David Miller will sing Tamino. Jan Grissom will sing the Queen of the Night. Dorothy Danner will stage the production designed by Maurice Sendak in 1980 for the Houston Grand Opera.

The Segferstrom Hall subscription series continues in 2001 with:

* Jan. 18-21: Verdi’s “Macbeth.” Paul Fink and Gordon Hawkins will alternate in the title role. Audrey Stottler and Cynthia Lawrence will alternate as Lady Macbeth. Colin Graham will direct the 1992 production designed by Ramon Lopez for Teatro Municipal de Santiago, Chile.

* Feb. 20-25: Bizet’s “Carmen.” Irina Mishura and Angela Horn will alternate in the title role. Mark Baker and Carl Tanner will alternate as Don Jose. Ron Daniels will direct a new co-production with Houston Grand Opera and Michigan Opera Theatre.

* April 3-8: Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier.” Helen Donath and Elizabeth Holleque will alternate as the Marschallin. Dieter Kaegi will stage the 1997 production (with designer Bruno Schwengl) for Seattle Opera.

Subscriptions to the four operas, ranging from $105 to $552, will go on sale March 1. Tickets for individual operas, ranging from $32 to $107, will go on sale Sept. 1.

The company has added a fifth performance--on Friday nights--for each opera.

Opera Pacific also will reprise its outdoor “Festa Italiana” in September at Irvine Bowl in Laguna Beach. Opera Pacific artistic director John DeMain will conduct; singers include Laura Claycomb, Ruxandra Donose, Gregory Turay, Earle Patriarco and David Michael. Tickets: $25 to $75.

Opera Pacific is also collaborating with the Performing Arts Center to present Denyce Graves and Kathleen Battle in separate recitals in 2001--Jan. 26 and Feb. 11, respectively.

Information: (800) 346-7372.