LA Opera to Offer Free Screenings of Il Postino, Starring Plácido Domingo

The LA Opera will offer two free outdoor screenings of Daniel Catán’s Il Postino (The Postman), starring Plácido Domingo and directed by Ron Daniels. The first will be offered at 7:30pm on Saturday, October 9, at California Plaza and the second will be presented at 7pm on Monday, October 11, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, where the screening will be projected on the side of Segerstrom Hall for guests seated in the Arts Plaza, as part of the Center’s Free for All Series. Cast members are expected to make live appearances at both venues.

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 is conducted by Grant Gershon and has scenery and costumes designs by Riccardo Hernandez, projections by Philip Bussman, and lighting by Jennifer Tipton.

Admission is free to the public for both screenings, and no tickets are required for entrance. For more information, visit www.laopera.com.