SAN FRANCISCO (August 26, 2013) — San Francisco Opera today announced a change in the principal casting for the upcoming world premiere of composer Tobias Picker’s opera Dolores Claiborne: American mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick who was originally cast in the title role of Dolores Claiborne has withdrawn from the project. The decision to effect a change in the casting was mutually reached by Ms. Zajick and San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley.
Dolora Zajick said, “I am devastated that I am unable to continue my work on Dolores Claiborne. The opera proved to be more challenging physically and vocally than I had anticipated and, exacerbated by my knee problems, I feel it is best to withdraw at this point rather than try to push forward. I sincerely wish the cast, the incredible production team and Tobias good luck with the remaining rehearsals and the opening. I will miss being part of it. “
American soprano Patricia Racette, who is currently in San Francisco preparing for her dual roles as Marguerite and Elena in Arrigo Boito’s Mefistofele, will now assume the Dolores Claiborne assignment for the first four performances on September 18, 22, 25 and 28. Ms. Racette will continue to sing all eight of the regularly scheduled Mefistofele performances.
San Francisco Opera veteran performer Catherine Cook, who is the designated Dolores Claiborne role cover attending rehearsals since August 9 and having essayed the title role at theDolores Claiborne workshop in December 2012, will perform the final two performances onOctober 1 and 4.
Commissioned by San Francisco Opera and General Director David Gockley, Dolores Claiborneis a new opera by American composer Tobias Picker with a libretto by J.D. McClatchy based on the novel of the same name written by Stephen King, and presented by arrangement with Andrew Welch. Dolores Claiborne, the first Stephen King novel adapted for the lyric stage, will be given its world premiere Wednesday, September 18 at the War Memorial Opera House.
San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley commented, “We were aware earlier this summer that there was a problem when Dolora cancelled her engagement at the Orange Festival and had hoped her pain and mobility issues would be less problematic here. We’ve been working on how to adjust the Dolores Claiborne staging and production in order to find a middle ground, but it ultimately proved to be too physically demanding. This decision for Dolora to withdraw from the project was mutually agreed upon and she regrets having to bow out at this late date. She has also expressed her utmost concern for the remaining rehearsal process and ultimate world premiere. I look forward to welcoming Dolora back to the War Memorial Opera House stage in future seasons and wish her a full recovery.”
David Gockley continued: ”I am very grateful to Patricia Racette for stepping in at this late date in the rehearsal period and agreeing to take on this very demanding role, particularly while she is here performing in Mefistofele. Patricia is familiar with Tobias Picker’s works having performed in two of his earlier operas Emmeline and An American Tragedy, each to great success, and I am confident that given Patricia's vocal stamina and dramatic stage presence she will make this nothing short of a tour-de-force performance. Similarly, I have every bit of confidence in Cathy Cook’s abilities to perform this role to great effect, and remain ever thankful for her agreement to now actively take on this assignment.”
3 comments:
Wow. I didn't re-up my subscription this year because the season is so meh, but I was going to try to get tickets to see Zajick. Oh well. I guess I can save the money (although I love Catherine Cook. So maybe).
Wow, indeed. The production must be in shock. Anyway, if anybody can pull it off, it would be Racette, and it will be interesting hearing Catherine Cook have a go at the role. And here's a prayer that the music is a step up from some of the recent world premieres at SF Opera.
haha, yes, indeed, I hope it is!
And it certainly would be interesting to hear a role that's written for Zajick sung by Racette and Cook.
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