Elizabeth Futral – a casting coup for Kentucky Opera
Louisville, Kentucky – (May 27, 2009) Scheduled to make her company debut, Ailyn Pérez was engaged to perform the role of Violetta in La Traviata, Kentucky Opera’s opening production of the Brown-Forman 2009 Fall Season. Early in April, the world renowned opera house, Deutsche Staatsoper in Berlin, sought out Ms. Pérez to sing the very same role in that time period. It would be a great opportunity for the young up-and-coming singer, but a great loss for Kentucky Opera, especially with little time to find such a talented artist to replace her.
“At this point in the year, most opera companies have completed their casts for the fall productions,” says General Director, David Roth, “which means most top-tier singers are not available for consideration. In addition, we have attempted for over two years to bring Ms. Pérez to Louisville because she is a wonderful emerging talent in America, evidenced by the companies seeking to engage her.”
Fortunately, her manager had an ace up his sleeve. As well as representing Ms. Pérez, Neil Funkhouser represents the Metropolitan Opera star Elizabeth Futral, whose parents, coincidentally, reside in Louisville. Ms. Futral has established herself as one of the major coloratura sopranos in the world today, embracing a wide variety of repertoire from Vivaldi and Handel to Donizetti, Verdi and Glass. With her stunning vocalism and dramatic range she appears regularly with the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Opera Berlin, San Francisco Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona and Washington National Opera. Most recently, she starred in the world premiere of Andre Previn’s Brief Encounter with Houston Grand Opera. “When Neil suggested that Elizabeth Futral would be available and interested in performing the role for us,” Roth continued “I didn’t hesitate a moment. I told him we would have a contract in the mail that day.” Kentucky Opera is honored to have this highest caliber of artist come home to perform one of her signature roles for her family, friends and this community.
Of course, opera stars like Elizabeth Futral come at a price. Her engagement with Kentucky Opera is only made possible with the additional support received from the Campaign for Artistic Excellence (CAE). Barbara Sandford, CAE Chair says, “The Campaign for Artistic Excellence enables Kentucky Opera to engage top-tier artists like Ms. Futral, who regularly perform with the largest opera companies like Los Angeles, Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Because of the CAE, Kentucky Opera had the resources available to open the Brown-Forman 2009 Fall Season with one of America’s top operatic stars.”
La Traviata opens the 2009-10 Brown Forman Fall Season at the Brown Theatre on Friday, September 25 at 8pm with a matinee performance on Sunday, September 27 at 2pm. To be a part of Kentucky Opera, call 502.584.4500 or visit KYOpera.org.
