Willie Anthony Waters Conducts 'Tosca' for Opera Memphis at Orpheum Theatre Oct. 29 & Nov. 1, 2011

[Willie Anthony Waters]

Willie Anthony Waters

Conductor, Opera

University of Connecticut Department of Music

Faculty Bio

“Willie Anthony Waters is formerly general and artistic director of Connecticut Opera. Prior to that he was artistic director and principal conductor of Greater Miami Opera (now Florida Grand Opera). He conducted numerous noteworthy productions for Connecticut Opera, including the Arena production of Aïda in 1991, Otello in 1997, Porgy and Bess in 1998 and Salome in 2003.”

OperaMemphis.org

Oct 29 & Nov 1, 2011 @ 7:30pm

Orpheum Theatre - 203 South Main, Memphis, TN

“Opera Memphis opens its 2011-2012 season with Puccini’s classic drama TOSCA. Set in Rome in 1800, the opera includes some of Puccini’s best-loved arias and has inspired legendary performances from many of opera’s leading singers, including Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas.” “Returning to Opera Memphis are baritone Louis Otey, conductor Willie Waters and stage director Matthew Lata.” “Waters returns to Opera Memphis, having last conducted productions of DON GIOVANNI and RIGOLETTO.

Opera And Beyond: 'our new version, Scott Joplin and Treemonisha, adds seven more' roles

[Scott Joplin's Treemonisha; Original Cast Recording; Polygram 435709 (1992)]

Opera And Beyond

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Treemonisha Cast

“TREEMONISHA is not small. The cast list has seventeen roles and our new version, SCOTT JOPLIN AND TREEMONISHA, adds seven more. There are over twenty in the chorus and over ten dancers. Lots of the roles have been doubled up. This is balanced by the orchestra of 'Eleven and Piano' which is rather small when compared to a regular opera orchestra.   Posted by Michael Ching.” 

Recent posts listed in the right column of the blog include: Preview of Treemonisha; Treemonisha Cast; Joplin and Lottie; Strange Spam; and Treemonisha Staging.  [Scott Joplin (1868-1917) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Memphis Commercial Appeal: “Take a peek at Scott Joplin opera 'Treemonisha'” Jan. 8

[Scott Joplin's Treemonisha; Original Cast Recording; Polygram 435709 (1992)]

News in the arts 

Take a peek at Scott Joplin opera 'Treemonisha'

By Christopher Blank, Memphis Commercial Appeal

Saturday, January 3, 2009 

Fans of ragtime composer Scott Joplin can get the inside scoop on his legendary opera "Treemonisha," when Opera Memphis hosts a preview party Thursday night. Completed in 1910, Joplin's opera about a young woman overcoming the superstitions of her community disappeared until 1970, when it was produced for the first time.

The preview party anticipates the company's own premiere production at the end of the month. Thursday's preview, at the Clark Opera Memphis Center, will include highlights from the opera sung by the cast. Their performances will also be broadcast live on WKNO-TV Channel 10. A reception with hors d'oeuvres begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5. Call 257-3100 [Scott Joplin is profiled at AfriClassical.com]