Washington National Opera presents
Macbeth
A stellar cast led by Canadian baritone Étienne Dupuis and Ewa PÅ‚onka, last season’s Turandot
Kennedy Center Opera House
November 13–23, 2024
(WASHINGTON)—Washington National Opera presents a new production of Macbeth, the first of Verdi’s three Shakespeare adaptations. Canadian baritone Étienne Dupuis makes his role debut as Macbeth. Ewa PÅ‚onka, who sang a “thrilling,” “rich,” and “regal” Turandot last season, returns to sing Lady Macbeth. Brenna Corner (Iltrovatore) directs this new production, which will be conducted by Evan Rogister, WNO’s Principal Conductor. This production continues the momentum of the city-wide Shakespeare Everywhere Festival last season.
Verdi’s lifelong passion for Shakespeare first came to fruition in 1847 with Macbeth, still one of the most enduring operas adapted from Shakespeare’s plays. WNO’s new production is set in the 19th century—Verdi’s time, but in a geographically non-specific space—and concentrates the drama on the central characters. Corner, who studied Shakespeare and played Lady Macbeth in a theater production in London, presents the story as “the choices people make and the consequences they have to live with.” Everyone in the story, not just the Macbeths, has choices they had to make. It is also of particular interest to her that Verdi made the choice to change the three “weird sisters” in Shakespeare to a female chorus. Her production presents them as “victims of Macbeth’s battles. Their presence is a reflection of the world he helped to create.”
“Smooth-toned and seductive” (The New York Times) baritone Étienne Dupuis, after conquering several other Verdi baritone roles, makes his role debut as Thane of Cawdor and WNO debut. Ewa PÅ‚onka, who triumphed in last season’s Turandot, returns to sing Lady Macbeth, another fiendishly difficult dramatic soprano role, which she has sung all over the world to great acclaim. Kang Wang, who possesses “a secure, beautifully even tone and a thrilling top register” (Limelight), plays Macduff in his role debut. Soloman Howard, WNO Artist Ambassador and Cafritz Young Artist alumnus, plays Banquo. The production will be conducted by Principal Conductor Evan
Rogister who The Washington Post said “deserves maximal plaudits” for his handling of Romeo and Juliet last season. The production also features the WNO Orchestra and Chorus.
Macbeth
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave & Andrea Maffei
November 13–23, 2024 in the Opera House
In Italian with projected English titles
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Cast/Creatives
Macbeth Étienne Dupuis*
Lady Macbeth Ewa PÅ‚onka
Macduff Kang Wang
Banquo Soloman Howard†*
Malcolm Nicholas Huff
Lady-in-Waiting Anneliese Klenetsky^
Doctor Sergio Martínez^
Conductor Evan Rogister
Director Brenna Corner
Scenic designer Erhard Rom
Lighting designer A.J. Guban
Projections designer S. Katy Tucker
Costumes are a co-production of Lyric Opera of Chicago and Canadian Opera Company
Additional costume design Kathleen Geldard
* WNO mainstage debut
† Alumnus of the Cafritz Young Artist program
^ Member of the Cafritz Young Artist program
ABOUT WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA
Washington National Opera (WNO) is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the leadership of General Director Timothy O’Leary and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, the company presents compelling works at the highest levels of artistry across the Kennedy Center, balancing the standard repertory with new and infrequently performed works. Each season the WNO seeks to shape the future of opera through commissioned American works and a variety of special concerts, youth operas, and events.
Founded in 1956 and an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center since 2011, WNO has a storied legacy of groundbreaking world premieres and new productions, digitally streamed content, and innovative education and community-engagement programs. In recent years, WNO has championed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging onstage by championing artists and creators who identify as BIPOC, women, and non-binary.
Recent artistic highlights include a new production of Puccini’s unfinished opera Turandot with a world premiere ending by Christopher Tin and Susan Soon He Stanton; the world premiere of Grounded by Jeanine Tesori and George Brandt; a new production of Strauss’ Elektra starring Christine Goerke; the D.C. premiere of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue, commissioned by Zambello; Blanchard’s Champion, commissioned by O’Leary; and the WNO’s first complete Ring Cycle, helmed by Zambello.
WNO is committed to expanding opera’s reach and fostering new generations of artists and audiences. The Cafritz Young Artists program is one of the most sought-after training residencies for singers and pianists on the verge of international careers. WNO’s other initiatives include the American Opera Initiative, the annual Marian Anderson Vocal Award, the Artist Ambassador program, and the True Voice Award.
WNO education programs include in-person and digital Opera Look-In performances, WNO Opera Institute, Opera in the Outfield ®, free pre-concert lectures and post-show Q&As after many shows, and the Let’s Go There discussion series.
Funding Credits
The WNO Season Sponsor is General Dynamics
The Official Airline of the WNO Season is American Airlines
Major support provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mrs. Eugene B. Casey
Additional support provided by Chevron
Additional support provided by Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
The production is supported by Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. and The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts
Ticket Information
Tickets may be purchased online at kennedy-center.org, in-person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, or by calling
(202) 467-4600.
Media Contacts
David Hsieh
Senior Press Representative, Classical
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
(202) 416 8093
[email protected]
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