“Cinderella,” the 2017 opera by 12-year-old British composer Alma Deutscher, is scheduled to return to Opera San José, where it had its U.S. premiere, as part of the company’s 2022-23 season. The composer, now 17, is scheduled to conduct.
“Cinderella” and new productions of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” Verdi’s “Falstaff” and Puccini’s “Tosca” form the first season overseen by General Director Shawna Lucey, whotook the reinsof the company after the departure of her predecessor,Khori Dastoor.
“Alma’s journey has been very interesting from being awunderkindto now taking on the role of conductor as well,” Lucey told The Chronicle by phone from Dallas, where she was directing a new production of Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers.”
“Part of our mission is to help incubate new artists, and knowing that Alma wanted to make her conducting debut, we felt confident that our company was the right venue.
“This is also an opportunity for family programming. Having children come to the opera house from an early age is something I’m deeply committed to.”
Lucey said that plans for the season, announced Wednesday, March 23, grew out of extended conversations between her and Dastoor, who is now general director of theHouston Grand Opera.
The opening “Figaro” production, scheduled for Sept. 10-25, was originally conceived by Dastoor to open the 2020-21 season but had to be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed by Brad Dalton, it moves the action to India under imperial British rule, and includeskathak dancein partnership with the South Bay organization Mosaic America.
“I’m so happy to bring Khori’s concept across the finish line,” Lucey said. “The designs are so beautiful, and the concept is wise and brave.”
Following “Cinderella” (Nov. 12-27), Music Director Joseph Marcheso is scheduled to conduct both “Falstaff” (Feb. 11-26, 2023, with Jose Maria Condemi directing) and “Tosca” (April 15-30, 2023, directed by Tara Branham, the company’s first resident director).
Lucey said casting details for the season would be announced in July, when individual tickets go on sale atwww.operasj.org.