Renée Fleming: “America’s reigning opera diva”
- www.decca classics.com

From the ‘Habanera’ to the final knife thrust, it’s a struggle between passion and fate. Washington native Denyce Graves is identified with the role of Carmen throughout the opera world.
- Washington National Opera

The Folger Shakespeare Library & Theatre: “It is home to the world’s largest and finest collection of Shakespeare materials. . . . The Folger is known for its wide array of scholarly and public programs, including plays, concerts, literary readings, family activities and exhibitions.”
- www.folger.edu

 

For the past twelve years, the revered tenor Placido Domingo has worn the mantle of General Director of the newly-named Washington National Opera. Our Kennedy Center Tours have been frequently sold out in recent years, because Mr. Domingo has significantly raised the level of the company’s productions. He has been largely responsible for a brilliant string of sold-out stagings, starring himself in such diverse repertoire as Massenet’s ‘Le Cid’, ‘Pique Dame’, ‘Parsifal’ and ‘Die Walkuere’, and this spring’s ‘Tamerlano’ by Handel. The Washington National Opera has become the hottest ticket of our nation’s capital, consistently garnering critical and popular acclaim for its imaginative repertory and strong casts. This year marks the company’s 53rd season as the capital’s premier opera company.

Following major renovation of the Opera House, the company returned to the Kennedy Center in 2005, earning accolades for the improved acoustics and visual refurbishing. Now for our fall visit in early November, we will be among the fortunate ticket-holders for a pair of star-turns by two of the opera-world’s biggest personalities. First, the MET’s beloved lyric soprano Renée Fleming will assume the histrionic title role of Donizetti’s ‘bel canto’ vehicle, Lucrezia Borgia. This will be an important new production of one of the composer’s most dramatic works, and a highlight of the U.S. calendar for all opera enthusiasts. (Miss Fleming’s few performances are already completely sold out.) Second, Washington’s favorite local mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves will offer her sensational title portrayal of Bizet’s Carmen, a role she has made her own throughout the world by virtue of her sensual allure. Both of our operatic evenings will be conducted by Placido Domingo. All performances of the Washington National Opera are sung in the original language with English supertitles.

The Kennedy Center’s several theatres regularly attract the country’s leading performers from a variety of artistic fields. To take advantage of the season’s many offerings, our weekend will also include a Chamber Concert featuring piano trios by Beethoven and Schubert in the Center’s small Terrace Theater.

For our fourth performance, a change of pace will take us to Washington’s classic Folger Shakespeare Theatre for a performance of the Bard’s historical drama, Henry IV, Part I. We are delighted with our first-ever opportunity to include a Shakespeare play by this revered company, which is renowned for its classic presentations in an intimate setting on Capital Hill. The Folger’s repertoire season is notoriously sold out months in advance.

Early November is an ideal period of the fall to enjoy the nation’s capital, which offers a wealth of artistic and historic museums. We have planned a visit to the priceless Phillips Collection, where the permanent holdings of French Impressionists and American masters have recently been returned to the renovated galleries.

East-coast travelers will be gratified by the efficient and comfortable service of Amtrak’s high-speed Acela trains.

While our usual Watergate Hotel is closed for renovation, we are gratified to have secured accommodations for four nights in the traditional Georgetown Inn, located in the heart of Washington’s prestigious Georgetown neighborhood. The comfortable guest rooms have been recently renovated, and the public spaces are tastefully furnished in classic style. Fine dining is offered in the Inn’s The Daily Grill, and there is a convenient fitness center on the premises. There are many restaurants and attractive shops within easy walking distance of this sought-after property.