Opera Shortens Season For The ''Ring'

The "Ring" is the thing this summer, so Seattle Opera will make way for three cycles of the four-opera Wagnerian extravaganza by planning a shorter season for the 1995-96 season.

Opera general director Speight Jenkins announced the news last night at a party for season donors, who heard details of four productions to follow this August's three-"Ring" circus: Bizet's "Carmen," possibly the most popular opera ever written; Rossini's "Cinderella," a witty showcase for mezzo-soprano; Strauss' darkly dramatic "Elektra," featuring the soprano star of Seattle's "Ring"; and Giordani's seldom-heard "Andrea Chenier," a romantic opera about a hero of the French Revolution.

For the following season (1996-97), in which the "Ring" will not be performed, Seattle Opera will again present five operas, Jenkins said.

The company will feature several returning stars, as well as debut artists, in the four productions (none of which originates in Seattle). Tenor Vinson Cole, currently appearing in the sold-out "Madame Butterfly," will return to sing Don Jose in "Carmen," opposite Chilean mezzo-soprano Graciela Araya in the title role (Gold Series). The show opens Oct. 21 (through Nov. 4); Steven Sloane conducts. The Silver Series cast includes Nancy Maultsby and Patrick Denniston as the ill-fated lovers.

"Cinderella," which opens Jan. 20, 1996 (through Feb. 1), will be conducted by Yves Abel, with direction by Linda Brovsky. Starring as Cinderella will be Sonia Ganassi and Melanie Sonnenberg (Gold and Silver casts), with Gregory Kunde and Mark Thomsen as their respective Princes. Robert Orth, Julian Patrick, Sally Wolf and Jan Opalach also will be featured.

"Elektra" opens March 16, 1996 (through March 27), with Seattle Symphony music director Gerard Schwarz conducting and Neil Peter Jampolis as stage/lighting director. Marilyn Zschau, who also sings Brunnhilde in Seattle Opera's "Ring," appears in the Gold Series title role, with Janet Hardy heading the Silver Series cast. Andrea Grubert and Mildred Tyree, respectively, sing the role of Chrysothemis; Sheila Nadler, Kevin Short and Barry Busse appear in supporting roles.

The final production, opening April 27 (through May 11), "Andrea Chenier" has noted tenor Ben Heppner (who recently appeared here in "Lohengrin") in the Gold Series title role, alternating with Vincenzo Scuderi (Silver cast). Soprano Diana Soviero is featured as Maddalena, with Kathleen Hegierski, Sheila Nadler and Richard Paul Fink. The conductor is Steven Mercurio; Bernard Uzan is stage director.

For further information on Seattle Opera's upcoming productions and tickets, call the opera at 389-7699.