West Bay Opera presents two beloved masterworks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto

Following the critical success of its opening production for the 52^nd annual season, Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, West Bay Opera unveils two more exceptional operas that are certain to delight everyone!Mark both of these enticing productions in your calendar so that you don’t miss what Opera News has dubbed “California’s most consistently satisfying small opera company”!

In just a few weeks, West Bay Opera will unveil its new, fully staged production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s comic opera, Così fan tutte. Set in Naples during the 1700s, Così fan tutte tells the charming tale of love and betrayal, with humorous misunderstandings that lead to an inevitable happy ending.This proverbial story is set into motion by the mischievous deeds of Don Alfonso who convinces two young officers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, to test the faithfulness of their girlfriends, Dorabella and Fiordiligi.Mozart wrote some of his most sublime operatic music for Così fan tutte, as he and master librettist Lorenzo da Ponte poked fun at the Viennese Courts’ widespread practice of swapping girlfriends and boyfriends.

Così fan tutte will be conducted by Barbara Day Turner and directed by Douglas Nagel.The double cast production will perform according to the following schedule.

Performing on Friday the 15^th, Sunday the 17^th, and Saturday the 23^rd of February are: Teressa Byrne, Sally Mouzon, Jorge Garza, Sascha Joggerst, Marta Johansen, and Ted Weis.

Performing on Saturday the 16^th, Friday the 22^nd, and Sunday the 24^th of February are: Rebecca Schuessler, Meghan Dibble, Brian Thorsett, Igor Vieira, Elisabeth Russ, and Peter Graham.

Prior to the opera’s two-week run, West Bay Opera will give audiences a free preview on February 7 at 8:00pm at the Palo Alto Art Center (1313 Newell Road off Embarcadero, Palo Alto). Così fan tutte will then open on February 15 and run through February 24 at the Lucie Stern Theatre (1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto).On Sunday, February 15, there will be a post-performance discussion with the cast and directors onstage.

West Bay Opera launches its spring season with a new, fully staged production of Richard Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), May 23 – June 1 at the Lucie Stern Theatre. Der fliegende Holländer is the last of Wagner’s Italianate operas and his first major success.For centuries, the Flying Dutchman sailed the seas, condemned to live until he could find salvation in the love of a truly faithful woman.This was found in Senta, a young village girl, who proved herself faithful to the death.

In contrast to Mozart’s light touch in Così fan tutte, Der fliegende Holländerpresents love, betrayal and redemption in true Wagner style.Der fliegende Holländer will be performed in German with English titles, conducted by José Luis Moscovich and directed by David Otswald.There will be a free preview on May 15 at 8:00pm at the Palo Alto Art Center (1313 Newell Road off Embarcadero, Palo Alto). Der fliegende Holländer will then open on May 23 and run through June 1 at the Lucie Stern Theatre (1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto).On Sunday, May 25, there will be a post-performance discussion with the cast and director onstage.

ABOUT THE COMPANY:Founded in the 1955 by Henry and Maria Holt, West Bay Opera has the distinction of being the second oldest opera company in the West, in continuous operation.Currently under the leadership of General Director José Luis Moscovich, the company has an illustrious record of presenting fully staged opera productions for the enjoyment of Bay Area audiences and has been recognized with critical acclaim in national opera and music publications.Opera News has lauded West Bay Opera to be “the foremost semiprofessional regional opera company in Northern California.”Performing both the familiar and adventurous repertoire, West Bay Opera seeks to please and challenge singers and audiences with three productions per season, one each in October, February, and May.The repertoire includes standard popular works, lesser-known operas and operettas, and operas by modern composers.Projected supertitles in English are a standard part of the West Bay Opera experience. And all of the scores are played live by the first-rate West Bay Opera Orchestra.

WHEN:February 15* – 17 and 22-24, 2008
*Post-show discussion with the artists on February 15

TIME:Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm;
Sundays @ 2pm

WHAT: “Così fan tutte”
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In Italian with English titles

WHO:West Bay Opera

Conductor: Barbara Day Turner
Director:Douglas Nagel

Cast: Teressa Byrne, Meghan Dibble, Jorge Gaza, Peter Graham, Sachsa Joggerst, Marta Johansen, Sally Mouzon, Elisabeth Russ, Rebecca Schuessler, Brian Thorsett, Igor Vieira, Ted Weis, and the West Bay Opera Chorus

WHERE: Lucie Stern Theatre
(1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto)

TICKETS:$40-$50 general; $15-$20 student; senior and group discounts available

BOX OFFICE: (650) 424-9999 and www.acteva.com, www.artsopolis.com

TIME:Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm;
Sundays @ 2pm

WHAT:“Der fliegende Holländer
(The Flying Dutchman)”
by Richard Wagner
In German with English titles

WHO:West Bay Opera
Conductor: José Luis Moscovich
Director:David Otswald

WHERE: Lucie Stern Theater
(1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto)

TICKETS:$40-$50 general; $15-$20 student; senior and group discounts available

BOX OFFICE: (650) 424-9999 and www.acteva.com, www.artsopolis.com

FREE PREVIEW FOR “Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)” Thursday, May 15 @ 8pm at the Palo Alto Art Center (1313 Newell Road off Embarcadero, Palo Alto)

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PHOTO 1.: Teressa Byrne and Meghan Dibble in West Bay Opera's Cosi fan tutte - photo by Otak Jump

PHOTO 2.: Brian Thorsett, Sascha Joggerst, Meghan Dibble, Teressa Byrne in West Bay Opera's Cosi fan tutte - photo by Otak Jump

(Editors,