Kentucky Opera continues the BROWN-FORMAN 2014-15 SEASON with a company premiere of Puccini's THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST (LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST), opera's first "Spaghetti Western." From the Italian master who wrote LA BOHÈME, MADAME BUTTERFLY, and TURANDOT, Puccini considered THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST his greatest work. It made its highly publicized world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1910. For the Kentucky Opera premiere on Friday, November 14 at 8pm and Sunday November 16 at 2pm, single tickets start at $34 and are available by calling 502.584.7777 or by visiting KYOpera.org.

The work set in a frontier town during the 1849 Gold Rush, where Minnie, a bible preaching, poker-playing, pistol-wielding, saloon owner finds herself in a love triangle with a handsome outlaw, Dick Johnson, and the sheriff, Jack Rance, who is determined to bring him to justice.

One of the reasons this work has never been produced by Kentucky Opera is the magnitude of the physical production. Kentucky Opera general director, David Roth, says, “We are using the set from Nashville Opera’s 2012 production. Instead of traditional sets, this one uses high-tech rear projections – giving the production a very cinematic quality.” Roth continues, “The piece requires three epic sets, each quite expansive and distinct. The Polka Saloon is first, and it has to be huge, with ten principal singers and a chorus. Act Two, is set in Minnie’s cabin, the smallest and easiest of the sets, but you still want the Sierra snow coming down outside the windows. Then the final set is high up on a mountain vista – where the cinematic screen projections add a feel of vastness and mountain majesty.”

Who’sWho:
Artist: Michelle Johnson makes her Kentucky Opera debut with her first attempt at the role of Minnie.
What they are saying: “…At all times there was sense of naturalness, as though she was discovering the joys of life and love for the first time. I was impressed not only by her outstanding vocal beauty, but the spontaneity of her characterization. A truly great performance!" David Lindauer of Capital Gazette, on Ms. Johnson’s performance as Mimi in Annapolis Opera’s LA BOHÈME.
Character: Minnie Owner of “The Polka” saloon, her charm wins the affection of all those around her, but she’s only interested in the outsider, Dick Johnson, who also happens to be an outlaw.

Artist: Jonathan Burton returns for the second time this season to perform the role of the outlaw Dick Jonson.
What they are saying: “The possessor of a bronze-hued herfty tenor, made an explosive event out of his assignment by dominating the score’s challenges with seemingly wild abandon.” By Daniel Vasquez on Jonathan Burton’s performance of Prince Calaf in Sarasota Opera’s TURANDOT.
Character: Dick Johnson (AKA Ramerrez) An outlaw passing through town when he falls for the local Polka owner, Minnie. He receives a second chance while on the run.

Artist: Franco Pomponi makes his Kentucky Opera debut in the role of Jack Rance.
What they are saying: "In the title role [Hamlet] Franco Pomponi proved sublime: a beautiful baritone voice, not too dark, and suited to the role, excellent technique, he has hard-hitting vocals and rich colors, the skill of an dramatic actor and a very handsome physique that have allowed him to be fully in the part." Mirko Bertolini of Teatre.it on Pomponi’s performance in HAMLET at La Monnaie in Brussels.
Character: Jack Rance the local town Sheriff. Despite wanting Minnie for himself, he plays by the rules of the Wild West when it comes to law, and remains true to his betting stakes, giving Dick Johnson a second chance.

Cast Listing:
Conductor David J. Jackson (SIMON BOCCANEGRA 2013)
Stage Director John Hoomes (CARMEN 1995)

Minnie Michelle Johnson*
Dick Johnson Jonathan Burton (FIDELIO, Florestan, 2014)
Jack Rance Franco Pomponi*
Sonora Michael Preacely*
Ashby the Wells Fargo Agent Zach Owen+

Kentucky Opera Debut *
Kentucky Opera Studio Artist +