New York City Opera has announced its 2013 season, which will feature four brand new productions.
Two productions will take place at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. Thomas Ades’ Powder Her Face, with libretto by Philip Hensher, will be directed by Jay Scheib (February 15-23).
Playing off the cultural obsession with political scandal and tabloid journalism, the opera’s centerpiece is a series of Polaroid photos featuring Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, dubbed the “Dirty Duchess.” The production will feature sets designed by Marsha Ginsberg, costumes by Alba Clemente, lighting by Thomas Dunn, and projection design by Josh Higgason.
Also at BAM will be Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, directed by Sam Buntrock (February 24-March 2). Based on the story by Henry James, the opera’s libretto is by Myfanwy Piper. It will feature set and costume design by David Farley and lighting by David Weiner.
Two additional productions will be presented at the New York City Center, which marks the company’s return to that venue for the first time since 1965.
Gioachino Rossini’s Mose in Egitto (Moses in Egypt) (April 14-20) will be directed and designed by Michael Counts and will feature costumes by Jessica Jahn and projections by Ada Whitney. Jayce Ogren will conduct.
Finally, Jacques Offenbach’s La Perichole will be directed by Christopher Alden (April 21-27). With a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, this lyrical satire is loosely based on the life of one of the 18th-century’s most famous Peruvians, Micaela Villegas, a wildly popular entertainer who was mistress to the head of state.