TOLEDO – The Toledo Opera will welcome one of the biggest stars in international opera next season to
inaugurate a new series of 20th and 21st century American operas.
Bass-baritone Samuel Ramey will perform the role of tortured preacher Olin Blitch in performances of
Carlisle Floyd’s "Susannah" in a fully-staged concert format, Feb. 13 and 15.
Building on the success of three seasons of stable finances and regularly sold-out productions, Toledo
Opera will add a third opera to its 2014-2015 season. Each opera features a powerful female lead, pushed
by impossible circumstances to take up arms to defend herself in no uncertain terms.
The season opens with performances of Puccini’s Tosca in a lush, traditional production conducted by
James Meena on Oct. 10 and 12 at the Valentine Theatre.
The last opera of the season will be a new production of Donizetti’s "Lucia di Lammermoor,"
co-produced with Opera Carolina, with performances at the Valentine Theatre April 24 and 26. Featuring
the rising opera star Katheryn Lewek in her debut as Lucia, a tour-de-force for coloratura soprano,
conducted by James Meena, and directed by Bernard Uzan.
The opera’s annual gala concert will be "Men in Black" featuring tenors, baritones and basses
on May 9 at the Toledo Club.
Subscriptions to Toledo Opera’s 2014-2015 Season are on sale. Season tickets range in price from $77 to
$191. Call 419-255-7464 or visit www.toledoopera.org.