Stephen Costello Takes Texas This Spring, Singing First Des Grieux in Dallas Opera’s Manon (March 4–12) and Headlining Fort Worth’s “Caruso in Cowtown” (April 7)
Since making his first appearances at the Dallas Opera ten years ago, Stephen Costello – “a prodigiously gifted singer whose voice makes an immediate impact” (Associated Press) – has firmly established himself as a company favorite. Many of his key role debuts took place on the Dallas stage, and it was there that he created the part of Greenhorn/Ishmael in the world premiere production of Jake Heggie’s Moby-Dick. Now the Tucker Award-winner returns to make a new role and house debut, singing his first Chevalier des Grieux in David McVicar’s celebrated production of Massenet’s Manon, with longtime collaborator Graeme Jenkins leading from the pit (March 4, 6, 9 & 12). It is also in Texas that Costello looks forward to headlining “Caruso in Cowtown” at Fort Worth’s Cowtown Coliseum (April 7). This special benefit recreates the historic concert given in 1920 by legendary tenor Enrico Caruso, whose standing-room-only, sold-out performance marked a milestone in the history of the venue, home of the world’s first indoor rodeo.
Of his return to the Dallas Opera, Costello says:
“It’s a great company, and I’m excited about my role debut as Des Grieux. I’m always happy to work with Graeme Jenkins, who is coming back to conduct Manon in Dallas. I have a long and exciting history with the Dallas Opera: I did Anna Bolena for the first time in Dallas, which I also just did at the Met, and in fact all of my performances in Dallas have been role debuts including the world premiere of the character Greenhorn in Moby-Dick.”
And about the upcoming Caruso tribute, the tenor adds:
“I feel so honored to be part of this amazing and unique concert – what better way to pay tribute to one of the all-time great singers? Caruso was such an inspiration to me, and to re-create this historic event in this iconic location is so thrilling.”
Click here to see Costello sing “La donna è mobile” in Rigoletto at the Met.
Recently hailed as “a fine Verdian tenor, with an ideal range and a rounded, colorful sound” (New York Classical Review) for his company role debut as the Duke of Mantua in the Metropolitan Opera’s mobbed-up take on Rigoletto, Costello has never yet sung solo in the Italian master’s beloved Requiem. That changes this spring, when he joins the Boston Philharmonic under Benjamin Zander, with fellow Tucker Award laureate soprano Angela Meade, mezzo Julia Gertseva, and bass Daniel Borowski, for a performance of Verdi’s best-loved choral masterpiece (April 24). The tenor comments:
“I’m really looking forward to singing this iconic piece! I have not had the opportunity to do a lot of concert work, so I’m excited that I get to perform what I think is one of Verdi’s best works. Luciano Pavarotti’s performance of the Verdi Requiem with Karajan conducting was a huge inspiration for me – it’s a priceless, classic performance and just really makes a singer want to perform this music. You can really see the singers’ joy in the performance. Angela Meade and I went to school together and we rarely get to sing together since we don’t often sing the same repertoire, so it will be nice to be on stage with her again. The last time was at the Met in Anna Bolena in 2011.”
It is in another classic Donizetti tragedy that Costello returns to London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden this spring, to make his company role debut with his signature portrayal of Edgardo in a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor. Directed by Katie Mitchell, OBE, this co-stars 2015 International Opera Award-winner Aleksandra Kurzak, with Daniel Oren conducting (May 11, 14, 16, 19). Costello says:
“I love performing at Covent Garden! It’s a great house and I love the company and working with Director of Opera Kasper Holten. The theater is beautiful and the orchestra is always amazing. Basically, everyone is always on top of their game at Covent Garden, and they have great audiences.”
High-resolution photos can be downloaded here.
www.facebook.com/StephenCostelloTenor
Stephen Costello: upcoming engagements
March 4, 6, 9, 12
Dallas, TX
Dallas Opera
Massenet: Manon (Des Grieux; house and role debuts)
April 7
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Opera
“Caruso In Cowtown”
April 24
Boston, MA
Boston Philharmonic
Verdi: Requiem
May 11, 14, 16 & 19
London, England
Royal Opera House
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Edgardo; house role debut)
June 10 & 13
Vienna, Austria
Wiener Staatsoper
Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore (Nemorino)
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© 21C Media Group, February 2016
(photo: Merri Cyr)