PRESS RELEASE
“Giulietta e Romeo” by Riccardo Zandonai will be presented in three acts of love, passion,and tragedy epitomized to its most pure and intimate.
New York, NY (03/23/22) - In partnership with the Battery City Park Authority (BPCA), Teatro Grattacielo presents a full production of Riccardo Zandonai’s Giulietta e Romeo with libretto by Arturo Rossato. The Opera is based on Luigi da Porto’s original publication: Storia di Giulietta e Romeo con loro pietosa morte avvenuta in Verona.
This is the first written version of Romeo and Juliet as we know it. Luigi da Porto, a writer from Vicenza, published it in 1530, almost 60 years before Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Giulietta e Romeo debuted 100 years ago, on February 14th, 1922, at Costanzi Theater in Rome. The site-specific production will take place in Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park in Battery Park City, at 9:00 pm on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday June 5th. The two performances will be free andopen to the public, positioned outdoors next to the Hudson waterfront with the Statue of Liberty in clear view. This will be the first time a world-classopera will be presented in its full capacity in Downtown Manhattan. A once in a life-time experience sure to captivate a wide audience from opera buffs to park lovers alike. Interested individuals can find out more online at bpca.ny.gov/news/events, by phone at (212) 267-9700, or at https://grattacielo.org
The performances will be part of the Festival of New York, an unprecedented movement of more than 180 organizations across the city to marshal the creativity, resiliency, diversity, and spirit of collaboration that makes New York one of the strongest and most inspiringcities on earth. [FestivalofNY.com]
Teatro Grattacielo’s mission is to promote performances from an Italian operatic repertoire rarely heard in the U.S which accompanies a season of classic operatic titles. Through performances in New York City, strategic national and international collaborations and educational outreach, Teatro Grattacielo promotes artists and the appreciation of operatic traditions with an eye on innovation and inclusivity.
“We chose Zandonai’s beautiful Giulietta e Romeo because it fits the architectural setting of the Wagner Pavilion and highlights an Italian operatic masterpiece that tells a
story of eternal love - exactly the sentiment that many of us are in need of right now. We have assembled a world class international cast, while we are
very happy to be bringing back the Grattacielo Orchestra.” Executive and Artistic Director StefanosKoroneos - Teatro Grattacielo
The opera was written by Italian composer Riccardo Zandonai (1883–1944) All the classic elements of the ancient story of “Romeo and Juliet” made famous by Shakespeare can also be found in Zandonai’s 1922 rendition: family rivalry, an ecstatic fight scene, the triumphant return, and of course, prohibited love between the illustriousGiulietta Capuleti and Romeo Montecchi embodied in the iconic balcony scene.The performances are conducted by Christian Capocaccia and directed by Stefanos Koroneos. Sets and costumes are curated by Tasos Protopsaltou, and projections designs by Camilla Tassi. The big cast is led by soprano Eleni Calenos in the role of Giulietta, tenor Matthew Vickers in the role of Romeo, baritone Franco Pomponi in the role of Tebaldo, tenor Spenser Hamlin in the role Il Cantatore, baritone Eric McKeever in the role of Banditore and tenor David Santiago in the role of Gregorio. For more information about ourcast and creative team please click HERE.
The performance is dedicated to Francesco and Mary Giambelli.
About BPCA: Established in 1968, The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority is a New York State Public Benefit Corporation charged with developing and maintaining a well-balanced community on the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Battery Park City’s 92-acre site has achieved worldwide acclaim as a model for community renewal in planning, creating, and maintaining a balance of commercial, residential, retail and park space. By pioneering development through ground leases and bonding authority with
public/private partnerships between the BPCA and private developers, this planned community has become a blueprint for successful urban development.
REVIEWS
The winners of the evening were the composer Riccardo Zandonai and Teatro Grattacielo which pulled off a near-impossible feat with success.
