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CELEBRATE CYRANO WITH MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE
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Special Events Surrounding the World Premiere Include a Film Series, Fine Food and Wine, and exclusive Cyrano Previews!
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DETROIT, Michigan, August 20, 2007…Michigan Opera Theatre is pleased to announce an exciting array of activities and events surrounding the world premiere of David DiChiera’s opera Cyrano to inform, entertain and indulge! Patrons and guests will look forward to the highly-anticipated opera premiere with classic films, delectable food and wine, lavish costumes, and exclusive previews with Cyrano composer, David DiChiera, creative team, and cast.
Get a great front-row seat and popcorn during the Cyrano Film Series, held in the 6th floor “Black Box Theatre” of the Detroit Opera House. The film series is comprised of three movies, which like the opera, are based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. The first, 1950’s Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Jose Ferer, will be viewed on Monday, September 10, 2007. The second film, 1990’s Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Gerard Depardieu, will be shown on Monday, September 17, and the third, 1987’s classic comedy, Roxanne, starring Steve Martin, will be shown on Monday, October 1. All films begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in the 6th floor Chrysler “Black Box” Theatre of the Detroit Opera House. Tickets are $5 at the door, and admission includes refreshments. For more information on the Cyrano film series, call (313) 861-3500 ext. 3200.
Haberman Fabrics of Royal Oak and Michigan Opera Theatre will also present a very special evening with Cyrano composer David DiChiera and Michigan Opera Theatre Costume Director Suzanne Hanna, on September 11, 2007 at 7 p.m. This exclusive sneak-peek will showcase some of the over 150 lavish costumes made in Detroit for the world premiere, and will include a discussion on the creation of Cyrano, light refreshments, and a chance to win tickets to Cyrano and a backstage tour. The event is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. This special creative event will be held at Haberman Fabrics store at 905 S. Main Street in downtown Royal Oak. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.habermanfabrics.com or call (248) 541-0010.
Two very special events will afford guests the opportunity to mingle with the artists and creative team from Cyrano while sampling delicious French food. The Opera League of Detroit presents an "Afternoon Tea and Etiquette from Cyrano to Modern Times" with guest speaker Patricia Rodzik on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 3 p.m. The afternoon tea will invite guests to learn about the role of manners and customs in the 17th century while composer David DiChiera reveals details about the opera. The tea is open to the public, and will take place at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe Shores. Cost for the event is $30.
The Opera League of Detroit also invites guests to celebrate Cyrano with a feast for the palate! Everyone is invited to meet composer David DiChiera and librettist Bernard Uzan during the Opera League of Detroit’s "Evening of Fine French Wines, Delectable Cheeses and Decadent Desserts" on Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy scrumptious food and beverage stations, with a Cyrano presentation and discussion by the composer and librettist in the Detroit Opera House auditorium. Tickets for the exclusive event are $50. Contact Nikki Ruddy at (313) 237-3407 or nruddy@motopera.org for tickets or more information for the Afternoon Tea or the Evening of French food.
All Cyrano festivities lead up to the highly-anticipated World Premiere Festival Weekend, as the world premiere of Cyrano will include an entire weekend of celebrations for the work of Cyrano composer and Michigan Opera Theatre general director David DiChiera, the cast and creative team.
Beginning Friday, October 12, 2007 with the 21st annual Michigan Opera Theatre Opera Ball, guests in black-tie apparel will enjoy dancing, mingling and fine food and drink presented in a grand tent on the grounds of the Detroit Opera House. Then, following the opening night world premiere of Cyrano on Saturday, October 13, a black-tie gala supper will be held at 9:30 p.m. in the Festival Tent. The celebratory evening feast will be attended by Cyrano artists and the creative team.
An event-packed weekend will conclude with a relaxing brunch with Cyrano artists in the Festival Tent on Sunday, October 14 at 12 p.m. A “question and answer” period will follow the brunch, and guest will have the opportunity to ask David DiChiera and the artists about the making of the opera and their reflections on the world premiere. For Cyrano Festival Weekend packages and further information, contact Heather Hamilton at (313) 237-3425 or hhamilton@motopera.org.
About Cyrano
In October 2007, Michigan Opera Theatre will present Cyrano, a world premiere opera by Company Founder and General Director, David DiChiera, and director/librettist Bernard Uzan, at the Detroit Opera House. This three-act opera, DiChiera’s first-ever major opera, is based on Edmond Rostand’s celebrated play of 1897, Cyrano de Bergerac, a romantic tragedy.
Over eight years in the making, Cyrano represents DiChiera in his debut as an opera composer, reuniting him with long-time colleague Uzan and a host of creative team members. For more than 36 years, DiChiera has produced opera and musical theatre productions, in addition to salvaging the Detroit Music Hall in 1971, founding Michigan Opera Theatre, and establishing the Detroit Opera House in 1996. His enormous and well-documented contributions to the cultural life of Detroit, in addition to founding Opera Pacific in Orange County and providing artistic vision for Dayton Opera, have earned him a special place within the rarified world of the performing arts.
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