Butler Opera Center Season 14-15

A woman in an ornate Elizabethan dress sits on the ground in a wooded set, looking troubled.

Season 2014-15

Butler Opera Center

Ariadne Auf Naxos • Das Lied Von Der Erde • Into The Woods • Le Nozze Di Figaro

a starlet in a vaudeville dress with a wild, out of control look on her face stands, arms in the air, while her casemates each in a outlandish costume ,looks on.
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS (PROLOGUE)
October 2014

Music by
Richard Strauss

Libretto by
Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Photos by Nathan Russell

A woman in an ornate night gown and feather boa stands smiling, with her arms outstretched, while a worried conductor holding an opera score looks on behind her.
Cast members on the kneel on the stage floor, making a human pyramid, the perform at the top of the pyramid stretched her arms out.
The cast of Ariadne stand on stage listening to a man in a tuxedo and white gloves as he sings.
Three cast member sit on a sofa, performing as if drunk, making exagerrated faces
A group of maids and butlers stand in a single row on stage, hand in hand, smiling.
a group of castmates holds a starlet on their shoulders, while she sings, arms stretched out toward the sky.
a performer in a black gown stand center stage, long strips of fabric cross-cross in front of her and behind her.
Das Lied von der Erde
October 2014

Music by
Gustav Mahler

Text by
 Hans Bethge

Photos by Nathan Russell

A singer in a tuxedo lounges causally on the stage floor, behind him shadowy figures in all black dance on a stage lit in deep blue light.
A woman sits on the stage floor, singing as she clutched her chest in anguish, behind her the stage is washed in soft blue, purple and green light.
a Man in a tuxedo holds an open umbrella over his head as he sings, behind in shadowy figures dance.
A group of dancer dressed in black from head to toe with even their faces covered, wrap long lengths of cloth around them as they dance on a dark, eerie stage.
Two performers stand center stage, embracing one another, with their foreheads touching. they are lit only from behind by a deep blue light, and are surrounded by shadowy figures on both sides.
the Cast of into the woods stand on stage, ready for the curtain call
Into the Woods
February 2015

Music by 
 Stephen Sondheim

Book by  
James Lapine

Photos by Nathan Russell

Two performers stand on a wooded set, one dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, the other is the Big Bad Wolf.
The Baker's wife tugs on the long braided hair of Rapunzel who is locked in a tower high above her on stage.
The Baker and his wife stand, staring off camera, each holding their hands to the hearts as if they are in disbelief.
A woman in formal Elizabethan attire ride atop a white steed, while she is fawned over by a suitor in coat and tails.
the witch sits on the roots of a tree cradling a young woman in her arms.
the witch stands hunched over on a wooded set lit by eerie red light while a young girl cowers on her knees, center stage.
the witch beckons to the baker and his wife, while Jack and his mother look on. Their cow is nearby.
four performers squeeze tightly together on stage, holding onto one another.
Le nozze di Figaro
April 2015

Music By 
W.A. Mozart

Libretto By 
Lorenzo Da Ponte

Photos by Nathan Russell
 

A woman in a wedding gown stands alone by a fountain at night, a soft moon is projected behind her.
Two men hold a collapsed woman to keep her from falling to the ground after she passes out.
A woman in an ornate gown and hat holds a measuring tape up to a man in a brown suit.
Two men stand outside a wardrobe, looking distracted, they appear not to see another man hiding inside the wardrobe.
a woman in ornate hat and gown hold a wine glass in one hand an a bottle of wine in the other, with a look of surprise on her face.
a woman sits on a chair, while a man has slept into her lap, and throws his arms around her like a child, while an older gentleman looks on.
A woman sits somberly on a chair, center stage while house attendants and other women surround her.
A man tries to break down a door while a woman attempts to hold him back.  On the other side of the door, a woman stands, waiting.