Comic Opera Slated to Open Festival

Choreographer Mark Morris’ lively staging of Rameau’s comic opera, “Platee,” will open the Eclectic Orange Festival 2001 on Sept. 28-29 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Rameau’s 18th-century opera-ballet will be presented by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County in association with Opera Pacific.

French tenor Jean-Paul Fouchecourt, who created the role for Morris’ production at the 1997 Edinburgh Festival, will sing Platee. The cast also will include tenor Philip Salmon (Thespis/Mercure), baritone Bernard Deletre (Momus/Jupiter), soprano Amy Burton (L’amour/La Folie) and others to be announced. The work will be sung in French with English supertitles.

Nicholas McGegan, who conducted the Edinburgh premiere, will lead his San Francisco-based period instrument ensemble, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.

Opera Pacific and Philharmonic Society subscribers will have first chance to buy tickets for “Platee.” Single tickets, at prices to be announced, will go on sale to the public in the spring. Other Eclectic Orange Festival events will be announced. Information: (949) 553-2422.