The Nashville Opera has revealed its 2018-2019 season and a major highlight will be Noah Stewart’s appearance in his debut of the role of Hoffman in Tales of Hoffmann in April, 2109. Four productions will be mounted during the season, two each at TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall and the Noah Liff Opera Center.
The first production of the season is TRAVIATA, October 4 + 6, 2018 in Andrew Jackson Hall, TPAC. In the decadent scene of the Paris underground, worldly courtesan Violetta Valery finds true love for the first time—the young, romantic Alfredo Germont. But when she attempts to escape the life that has been slowly—and literally—killing her, she finds her world just won’t let her go. Verdi brings to life the bittersweet human quest for love and redemption with signature style and masterful musical power. Trust me…there’s a reason this one’s a fan favorite.
The second production of the season is THREE DECEMBERS, sponsored by Ann and Frank Bumstead, November 9, 10, 11, 2018, at the Noah Liff Opera Center. Broadway star Madeline Mitchell and her grown children, Bea and Charlie, struggle to know and love each other over the course of three different holiday seasons, each ten years apart. Through its melodic soundtrack, this emotional, often humorous, drama explores how to love and embrace the family we are given. Come see why the Wall Street Journal calls Jake Heggie “the world’s most popular 21st century opera composer.”
TALES OF HOFFMANN will be presented April 4 and 6, 2019 at Andrew Jackson Hall, TPAC. Walking the fine line between dreams and reality, this fantastical thrill-ride takes the audience along on a poet’s exhaustive search for the perfect woman. Loosely based on the life and loves of E.T.A. Hoffmann (whose “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” became a really famous ballet), Offenbach’s vignettes glitter with sensuality, emotion and the glorious agony of the creative process. An imaginative art deco set and famous tunes you already know make this a night of must-see theatre on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 7 pm and Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 8 pm. Music by Jacques Offenbach; Libretto by Jules Barbier from the play by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré; Directed by John Hoomes; Conducted by William Boggs; Featuring the Nashville Opera Orchestra; Sung in French with projected English titles; Running time: 2 hours, 53 minutes, two 20-minute intermissions. Don’t miss the fantastic Noah Stewart in the title role; get your tickets early for this one!
The fourth and final production of the season is THE CRADLE WILL ROCK, also sponsored by Ann and Frank Bumstead, on May 10, 11, 12, 2019 at the Noah Liff Opera Center. Once banned for its hot-button social commentary, this landmark jazz opera serves up its comedic drama in a satisfying cocktail of classical, pop and musical theatre. As relevant today as it was when Orson Welles directed its 1937 debut, our Cradle might stir up a little controversy even now. Not to worry…our Nashville-studded cast will soften Blitzstein’s barbs.
Meet Noah Stewart – Tenor
Noah Stewart
Lauded for his distinctive timbre, magnetic stage presence and movie star good looks, Noah has become one of operas most sought after international performers. He is especially recognized for his portrayals in the romantic Italian & French repertory and is a frequent guest artist with major opera companies and concert halls around the world.
Noah Stewart’s musical development started in Harlem, where he studied classical music at The Harlem School of the Arts. At age 12, his choir teacher encouraged him to pursue a music career. He began doing voice-overs for Sesame Street and television school specials and won first place in the New England Music Competition in Boston.
Since Training at The Juilliard School, Noah Stewart’s debut album for DECCA became a major success in the United Kingdom, topping the classical charts for 7 weeks. In Spring 2012, he made a critically-lauded debut at Covent Garden as Hassan in Judith Wier’s Miss Fortune, a role he premiered at the Bregenzer Festspiele in the summer of 2011.
Further North American engagements include: Rodolfo and Don José at Opera Columbus and Nashville Opera, The title role of Faust at Atlanta Opera, Rodolfo at Florentine Opera and New Orleans Opera, the Prince (A Flowering Tree) at Chicago Opera Theater as well at the Gulbenkian in Lisbon; Cavaradossi, Ismaele, Nadir, Rodolfo and Pinkerton for Michigan Opera Theater; Luigi (Il Trittico) for the Castleton Festival; Rodolfo and Cavaradossi with New Orleans and Florentine Opera and with the Orlando Philharmonic; Narraboth at the Arizona Opera and Radames at the Glimmerglass Festival,
Outside the United States, he has sung Don Jose at Scottish Opera, Osaka at Opera Holland Park as well as Don Pedro Alvarado in Peter Sellars’ acclaimed production of Purcell Indian Queen, which premiered at the Bolshoi Opera, Teatro Real Madrid and Opera Perm.
Notable orchestral appearances include the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (UK), Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philhamonic Orchestra, Manchester Philharmonic, Gulbenkian Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, John Wilson Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Berkeley Symphony & San Francisco Chorale. Noah has performed on three BBC Proms concerts’ as well as being named a BBC Music Ambassador and made his broadcasting debut at The Cardiff Singer of the World on the BBC.
Recent engagements include: making his Scandinavian debut at Göteborg Opera debut as Don José in David McVicar’s acclaimed production of Carmen in Sweden, returning as guest soloist with The Hallé Orchestra and debuting his third solo UK tour entitled, “In Love Again, featuring songs of Hollywood stage and screen as well as hand picked classical favorites.
