Dear Friends,
Michael Ballam as Tevye. Sounds strange, no? After having played over 100 roles, I am most honored to don the prayer shawl of Tevye for the first time. He began living in my heart as a hero when I was 13 and saw Zero Mostel in the original production. Providence smiled in 1995 when I met Sheldon Harnick, the genius who wrote "Is this the little girl I carried?" We are thrilled he will be in Logan this summer to be part of Fiddler on the Roof and to workshop another of his musicals he wrote with Richard Rodgers. Fiddler may well be the most impactful musical in American history. It has done more to counter the nightmare of the holocaust than any work of the stage.
For our 21st birthday we're coming of age by celebrating the bicentennial of the two titans of opera: Verdi and Wagner. Verdi's setting of Shakespeare's supreme tragedy Otello, and Wagner's setting of the great Nordic legend The Flying Dutchman will be our most ambitious productions yet. We'll celebrate two icons of the 20th Century, Irving Berlin and Britain's superhero Andrew Lloyd Webber. Berlin will be honored with a concert tribute to America's most prolific songwriter. We conducted our most exhaustive national search ever to bring together the perfect cast for the long-awaited worldwide favorite Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Experience the full festivities with backstage tours, breakfast with the stars, Academy classes, and six spectacular concerts. Come be our guest.
MICHAEL BALLAM
Founding General Director
OPERAS & MUSICALS
By Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick
Tevye lives at a crossroads. His family and Jewish traditions are being challenged by his strong-willed daughters, and the Tsar of Russia has issued an edict to evict Jews from their homes and villages. Fiddler on the Roof is one of the longest running shows on Broadway and winnner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Score, Book, Direction and Choreography. Starring Michael Ballam as Tevye.
By Richard Wagner
Ghost ships, curses and treasure! Long before those Caribbean pirates sailed the ocean blue, The Flying Dutchman wowed opera-goers with romantic and mysterious tales of the sea. Inspired by a stormy sea crossing from Latvia to London in 1839, Dutchman marks the beginning of Wagner's mature opera canon. Revel in the beauty and precision of one of Germany's premiere opera composers.
By Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice
Follow Joseph as he is sold into Egypt by his plotting brothers and later reconciles with his family when a famine plagues the land. Told completely in song, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the most celebrated musicals of all time. Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door are just a sampling of its rich musical score. Nominated for six Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, Joseph is one of the most watched musicals ever produced on Broadway.
By Giuseppe Verdi
In true opera fashion, this tale is packed with deceit, conspiracy, a love triangle and ultimately tragedy. Otello, a Venetian general, returns home from a successful military campaign to assume his governorship of Cyprus. His success abroad is quickly eclipsed by conspiracy and treachery at home. Otello finds deceit at every turn. What will he do? Who can he trust? Don't miss this Verdi classic based on the Shakespeare play.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
& CONCERTS
Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is one of the composer's supreme achievements. Join Utah Festival and the American Festival Chorus in celebrating Beethoven's masterwork. Conducted by Craig Jessop.
Enjoy an evening of the best of Irving Berlin, who is widely considered one of the greatest and most prolific songwriters in American history, giving us musical gems such as Alexander's Ragtime Band, White Christmas and There's No Business Like Show Business.
Utah Festival's ensemble, soloists and orchestra perform selections from some of the world’s most beloved operas. For the first time, this year's International Opera Competition Finals will be incorporated into this dynamic performance.
Celebrate Pioneer Day and the Western pioneer spirit with fanfares, patriotic music, a stirring salute to the men and women in our Armed Forces and more.
Utah Festival hosts more than 20 extraordinarily talented artists. YOU help select the winner, who then heads to Italy to compete for the ultimate operatic prize. For the first time, this year's Final round will be incorporated into Operafest.
Revel in creativity! Our highly accomplished pianists "tickle the ivories" in a concert of inspired performances on the world’s favorite and most versatile instrument.
