New Music Director and Additional Performances for YAP

Seattle Opera’s 2008/09 Young Artists Program kicked off this month, welcoming ten up-and-coming opera singers, a new Music Director, and the announcement of Seattle performance dates for the Young Artists’ statewide fall tour.

The Young Artists will give two Seattle performances. On November 13, the singers will present an English-language adaptation of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, at a free performance at Seattle’s City Hall, at noon. On November 14, the Young Artists will perform Tatyana’s Letter, an English-language adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s lyric opera Eugene Onegin at Benaroya Hall’s Ilsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. Tickets cost only $20, and are available by clicking here or by calling Seattle Opera’s Box Office, 206.389.7676.

The Young Artists Program also welcomed Maestro Brian Garman as its new music director. Garman, who led last season’s Young Artists in their double bill of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Ravel’s Enfant et les sortilèges, has conducted at Philadelphia Opera, New York City Opera, and Wolf Trap Opera Company, among others. Garman will conduct the Young Artists’ spring production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as supervise the musical aspects of the program and mentor the singers. “How fantastic for Maestro Brian Garman to bring his experience and artistry to the continued development of the musical excellence of our Young Artists Program,” said Perry Lorenzo, Seattle Opera’s director of education.

The Young Artists’ fall tour features performances in Wenatchee, Mount Vernon, Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Auburn, and Twisp. For information on venues and tickets, visit the tour schedule.