Boston Lyric Opera and The Wang Center
Join To Present
“The Little Prince”

At a press conference held at The Shubert Theater, Boston Lyric Opera and The Wang Center for the Performing Arts announced that they will jointly present the East Coast premiere of “The Little Prince,” an opera based on the beloved Antoine Saint-Exupéry story.

Playing February 16 - 27, at Boston’s Shubert Theatre, the production will mark a new collaboration between the two organizations. “The Little Prince” will be a part of both BLO’s 2004-2005 Season and The Wang Center’s 2004-2005 Family Series.

Presented as a co-production of Boston Lyric Opera, The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, Houston Grand Opera, Skylight Opera Theatre, the Santa Fe Opera, and Tulsa Opera, “The Little Prince” originally opened to rave reviews at Houston Grand Opera in May 2003.

Music is by Rachel Portman and libretto by Nicholas Wright, with the original production directed by Francesca Zambello. Portman also wrote the Academy Award-winning film score for “Emma” and earned nominations for the scores of “Cider House Rules” and “Chocolat.”

Based on one of the most read and printed books of all time, “The Little Prince” is the story of a pilot who finds himself stranded in the Sahara desert as a result of engine failure and is forced to crash land in the desert miles away from any habitation and chance of help. He meets the Little Prince, who teaches the Pilot to look at life through the eyes of a child and to discover the wonders of the world that the eyes can’t see.

BLO General Director Janice Mancini Del Sesto commented, “We are thrilled to partner with The Wang Center in staging this enchanting production. Both organizations have a common goal -- to expand and develop new audiences -- and this is the perfect opportunity to embark upon this path together.”

Josiah A. Spaulding, Jr., President and CEO of The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, added, “The Wang Center is delighted to partner with Boston Lyric Opera to bring a new production of this classic story to Boston. Joining the resources and talents of both organizations will result in a unique offering for our audiences and, at the same time, will create a strong partnership that will enable us to further expand our audience as one.”

BLO Music Director Stephen Lord will conduct the production, to be sung in English with projected text. Lord is joined by Stage Director Francesca Zambello and Associate Director/Choreographer Denni Sayers. Stephen Lord has been Music Director of BLO since 1991. During the 2003-2004 Season, he conducted “Rigoletto.” Maestro Lord is also Music Director for Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and has appeared as a guest conductor with such companies as The Washington Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, and Opera Colorado.

Francesca Zambello has been honored with three Olivier Awards from the London Society of Theaters for her productions of “Khovanschina,” “Billy Budd” and “Paul Bunyan.”

Noted baritones Keith Phares and Hugh Russell will perform the role of the Pilot on alternate performances. A Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions award-winner and New England Conservatory alumnus, Phares appeared in the title role in BLO’s 2002-2003 Season production of “Il barbiere di Siviglia” and will appear in the upcoming Spring 2004 production of “Così fan tutte.”

A former Adler fellow with San Francisco Opera, Hugh Russell has appeared with that company in “Il barbiere di Siviglia,” “Ariadne auf Naxos,” and the celebrated production of “St. François d’Assise.” On the concert stage, he has recently performed “Carmina Burana” with the San Francisco Symphony.

Full casting will be announced in the future. Del Sisto commented that the role of the Little Prince will intentionally be cast very close to the production to avoid any changes in the young actors' vocal range. Auditions for a substantial children’s chorus from the Greater Boston area will be held in the fall.

BLO subscribers and Wang members will receive access to priority seating and a 20% discount on tickets. Tickets for “The Little Prince” are on sale at The Shubert Theatre Box Office, 265 Tremont Street, Boston, online at www.wangcenter.org and Telecharge.com or by calling 1-800-447-7400. Discount member tickets are available exclusively through Show of the Month Club, at 617-338-1111.

For more information visit www.blo.org or www.wangcenter.org.

-- OnStage Boston

3/18/04