Beauty and the Beast (2005)
Opera in Three Acts
Music by André Ernest Modeste Grétry
Libretto by Jean-François Marmontel after the story La Belle et la BĂȘte by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont and the play Amour pour Amour by P. C. Nivelle de La ChaussĂ©e.
English version by Colin Graham.
The first performance of ZĂ©mire et Azor was given at the Court of Fontainebleau on 9 November 1771.
A co-production with Florida Grand Opera and Arizona Opera.
Dates of Performance
???
2005 Season
Rigoletto   Romeo and Juliet
Beauty and the Beast   The Secret Marriage
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Cast
Hugh Russell*
Sander
Jeremy Little*
Ali
John Osborn*
Azor
Anna Christy*
ZĂ©mire
Kiera Duffy
Fatmé
Alison Tupay
Lisbé
*Company Debut
Creative Team
Jeannette Sorrell*
Conductor
Renaud Doucet
Stage Director & Choreographer
André Barbe
Set & Costume Designer
Mark McCullough
Lighting Designer
Tom Watson
Wig & Makeup Designer
Ben Malensek
English Diction Specialist
Justina Lee*
Repetiteur
Tomer Zvulun
Assistant Stage Director
Sherrie Dee Brewer
Stage Manager
Kenneth Chapman
Assistant Stage Manager
Katie Luchtefeld
Intern Assistant Stage Manager
*Company Debut
Synopsis
Sander has lost his fortune at sea and is returning home with his servant Ali when a storm drives them to take shelter in a mysteriously deserted palace in the depths of a forest. When Sander picks a rose to fulfill a promise to his daughter ZĂ©mire, he is confronted by the enraged Azor, a prince who, as punishment for his selfish character, has been turned into a beast. Only a promise of unselfish love can restore him. He forces Sander to choose between losing his life and sending one of his daughters to take his place.
Sander conceals his sacrifice from his three daughters, but ZĂ©mire drags the truth from Ali and determines to take her father’s place.
After her initial horror, ZĂ©mire discovers Azor’s true sensitive nature and becomes attracted to him. Months pass. She persuades Azor to let her see a vision of her family, and he grants her request to visit them one last time. Her father is ill, and her sisters do all they can to detain her. She has promised to return to Azor before the sun sets, but they make her break her promise. At last, she hurries back to the palace to find him languishing near death. Her confession of love breaks the spell, and Azor is restored.
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This production is made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.
Opera Theatre expresses special thanks to Maritz Inc., lead corporate sponsor.
Jeannette Sorrell’s engagement is sponsored by the Edward Chase Garvey Memorial Foundation.
Additional support provided by Joseph and Carolyn Losos.
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