Charles Castronovo, Placido Domingo, et al. Set for LA Opera’s Il Postino

LA Opera has announced additional casting for its world premiere of Daniel Catán’s Il Postino (The Postman), which as previously reported will star opera legend Plácido Domingo. Ron Daniels will direct the production, which plays the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, September 23-October 16.

Based on the Academy Award-winning Italian film of the same name, and on the 1985 novel Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skármeta, Il Postino tells the story of Mario, a shy young postman in a tiny Italian fishing village, who discovers the courage to pursue his dreams during his daily deliveries to his only customer, a famous poet.

Domingo portrays the exiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, while tenor Charles Castronovo plays the title role. The cast also includes soprano Amanda Squitieri as Beatrice Russo, the beautiful cafe waitress who inspires Mario’s love; Chilean soprano Cristina Gallardo-Domâs as Matilde Neruda; Russian baritone Vladimir Chernov as Giorgio, the postmaster; and Spanish mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola-Herrera as Donna Rosa, Beatrice’s aunt.

Il Postino will be conducted by Grant Gershon, with scenery and costumes designed by Riccardo Hernandez, projections designed by Philip Bussman, and lighting by Jennifer Tipton. The opera will be performed in Spanish, with English supertitles projected above the stage.

For more information, visit www.laopera.com.