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FERRUCCIO FURLANETTO Hear him sing “Gremin’s Aria” from Eugene Onegin

SUSAN NEVES Hear her sing “D’amor sull’ali rosee” and “Miserere” from Il trovatore

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Murder in the Cathedral: The Story Based on the historical events surrounding the assassination of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury by knights loyal to Henry II, King of England in 1170, the opera follows the story rather closely. Watch and listen as Director of Education Nicolas Reveles takes you through a brief summary of the story of this brilliant opera.!

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Murder in the Cathedral: The Look San Diego Opera is building its own production of Murder in the Cathedral with sets designed by renowned designer Ralph Funicello. Get a brief preview of the look of Murder in this podcast by Education Director Nicolas Reveles.

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Murder in the Cathedral: The Sound Although the story is English, influenced by English history and literature, the opera Murder in the Cathedral is Italian. It was written by Ildebrando Pizzetti and premiere at La Scala in 1958. And although the music is lyrical and quite approachable, it isn't your grandma's typical Italian opera! Listen to this brief overview of the music of this outstanding opera by Education Director Nicolas Reveles.

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PODCASTS

Murder in the Cathedral: An Overview Ildebrando Pizzetti is not a composer known to most U.S. operagoers, but his opera Murder in the Cathedral which premiered at La Scala in 1958, made quite a splash when it first appeared. Based on the historical assassination of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 and more specifically the T.S. Eliot verse-play about this event, the opera turned out to be a tour de force for bass, along the lines of Boris Godunov and King Philip. Nicolas Reveles, Director of Education and Outreach, explores this unusual and exciting entry in our 2013 season.

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STARS IN THE SALON: MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL

March 21, 2013 at 5:30pm

Join the stars of Murder in the Cathedral in Stars in the Salon (formerly Artists’ Roundtables). This is a thrilling experience for anyone who loves opera. We welcome our distinguished guest panels for a provocative look at the music, characters and behind-the-scenes work which is so important to each production. The Civic Theatre’s beautiful Beverly Sills Salon acts as the setting for this enjoyable discussion where audience members have a chance to meet the stars and ask their own questions of the leading singers, conductors and directors first hand!

All sessions are open to the public and free of charge.

MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL

The Assassination of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury

by Ildebrando Pizzetti

Archbishop Thomas Becket, brutally murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in December 1170 defending his church against the intrusions of King Henry II, became a Christian martyr and Saint at whose tomb Henry was forced to pay penance. Did Henry order the murder or did his knights take matters into their own hands? Based on the T. S. Eliot play, the opera covers the last month of Becket’s life as he struggles with politics, religion and temptation. The lyrical and melodic score reminiscent of Puccini with extraordinary choruses rivaling Turandot, is a tour-de-force for the great bass Ferruccio Furlanetto who is “…strong in rejecting the temptations and in rebutting the assassins’ charges of treasonous behavior toward the king, yet his singing in the sermon has a touching eloquence…” (The New York Times review of his La Scala performance as Becket). Susan Neves and Helene Schneiderman lead the women of Canterbury commenting on the action while unable to interfere with events which seem ordained to happen. Conducted by La Scala’s Donato Renzetti, in his debut here, and directed by Ian Campbell, this is the West Coast Premiere of Murder in the Cathedral in America, combining faith, passion, tragedy and hope.

The running time is approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes including one intermission.
Sung in Italian with English translations displayed above the stage. Click here to learn more.