La fille du régiment

Music by

Gaetano Donizetti

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Washington, US

2016

Saturday
November
12
19:00
Monday
November
14
19:00
Wednesday
November
16
19:30
Friday
November
18
19:30
Sunday
November
20
14:00

Cast

Tonio  Larry Brownlee
Marie  Lisette Oropesa
Sulpice  Kevin Burdette
The Marquise of Birkenfeld  Deborah Nansteel
Duchess of Krakenthorp  Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Nov. 12
Duchess of Krakenthorp  Cindy Gold - Nov. 14, 16, 18, 20
Hortensius  Timothy Bruno
Corporal  Hunter Enoch
Dancing Master  Randy Snight
Conductor

Christopher Allen

Director

Robert Longbottom

Set Designer

James Noone

Lighting

Mark McCullough

About

Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2016-2017 season with a new production of Gaetano Donizetti's mashup of slapstick comedy and charming romance-The Daughter of the Regiment, November 12-20, 2016, in the Kennedy Center Opera House. The cast is led by superstar tenor Lawrence Brownlee as the hero Tonio and fast-rising soprano Lisette Oropesa, who starred as Susanna earlier this season in WNO's The Marriage of Figaro, as Marie. While the opera is best known for the vocal acrobatics required of its singers, the high-comedy antics of the non-singing role of The Duchess of Krakenthorp often steal the show. On opening night, November 12, 2016, the role of The Duchess will be performed by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her official Washington National Opera stage debut. The brand-new WNO production is directed by acclaimed Broadway director and choreographer Robert Longbottom, and the WNO Orchestra is led by rising conductor Christopher Allen, both in their WNO debuts.

Media

Interview with Larry Brownlee and Lisette Oropesa

Related Articles

Reviews

Washington National Opera's sparkling Daughter of the Regiment

Lisette Oropesa gave a simply dazzling performance as tomboy-turned-lady, Marie. From the graceful, ardent first notes (sung off stage) to the glorious finale on the shoulders of the regiment, she was seemingly born to play the part. Her garçon persona – carried off with irresistible spirit and aplomb – was belied by one of those effortlessly lovely female voices, quite thrilling at the higher register, soaring above the chorus and the other leads when needed. It was a consummate performance, sung with notable facility.  

—  Hilary Stroh  •  Bachtrack

Daughter of the Regiment at Washington National Opera (review)

All the vocal performances impress, but none more so than Lisette Oropesa as Marie, the title character. Oropesa is in complete command throughout. Her coloratura is both delicate and precise, and equally as impressive, she makes the high notes demanded by the role seem easy. While it’s hard to point to any particular moment, her rendition of “Par le Rang”—one of the better known arias from this opera—was strikingly effortless and fluid. And her virtuosity is matched only by the joy she brings to the role with her acting and movement.

—  Dante Atkins  •  DC Theatre Scene

Brownlee, Oropesa and Ginsburg in WNO's 'Regiment'

Oropesa, who dominated the recent WNO production of “The Marriage of Figaro” as Suzanna, does so again as the foundling Marie, displaying not only marvelous, trilling and thrilling singing chops, but also a gamine comedic touch that reminds one of silent-movie clowns. She’s athletic and not afraid of slapstick, and she even has to pretend to sing badly, always a neat trick for a superb singer.

—  Gary Tischler  •  The Georgetowner

Washington National Opera’s ‘The Daughter of the Regiment’

Oropesa’s soaring and sensitive Soprano come to the fore immediately with the initial regimental song that exudes the character’s charismatic affection for the camaraderie of her fellow army “fathers”(Aria: Chacun le sait. Chacun le dit /” Everyone knows it, everyone says it”.) The joy that this character feels, while exhibiting her nationalistic pride, is pervasive throughout the opera.

Ms. Oropesa possesses a thrilling soprano voice of infinite variety and an ethereal purity of tone.

—  David Friscic  •  DC Metro Theater Arts

Opera Review: ‘The Daughter of the Regiment’ by Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center

Lisette Oropesa (one of two Maries performing the role during the production’s run) is equally strong, handling the wide dramatic range of the character from the comic music lesson, to the starkly beautiful “Par le rang et l’opulence” when left alone in the chateau. This moment is heightened by subtle and sensitive lighting shifts in Mark McCullough’s design. Oropesa’s control in her upper register is particularly dazzling.

—  Chris Williams  •  MD Theatre Guide

Theater review: Fun cameo by Ruth Bader Ginsburg launches buoyant 'Daughter of the Regiment' in D.C.

Oropesa does not have a big sound, but her limpid tone and elegant phrasing pay dividends. This is especially true in "Il faut partir," Marie's Act 1 aria of farewell to Tonio after learning that she must leave him and the regiment to follow her new-found aunt. (The opera is performed in the original French; Ginsburg said her lines in English.)

The soprano is a natural comic actress, too. She has particular fun in the second act, when Marie, pushed to hone high-society ways, makes a mess of singing and dancing lessons.

—  Tim Smith  •  Baltimore Sun

WNO’s jolly good production of “Daughter of the Regiment”

Lisette Oropesa, whose star shone brightly as Susanna in WNO’s season-opening production of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” outdoes even that fine performance in her star turn as Maria in WNO’s production. Bright, youthful and full of spunk, her tomboy attitude and her character’s essentially good nature combine to drive this opera’s lighter-than-air plot with loads of charm and—particularly in the second stanza—excellent comic acting and timing including a touch of slapstick and a few bars of intentionally bad singing.

Ms. Oropesa sings Maria with a bright, almost carefree lyrical approach, expertly shaping each line for effect but doing so in a natural way.

—  Terry Ponick  •  Communities Digital News

BWW Review: THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT at Washington National Opera

Despite it's highly visible ensemble of cheery papas, THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT is really a showcase for its two stars, Oropesa and Brownlee. The role of Marie is a coloratura soprano's dream and Oropesa makes the role look super fun and easy despite being the busiest presence onstage. Oropesa demonstrates impressive vocal control and agility. Possessed of a bright smile and prolific comedic talent, she is the highlight of the opera.

—  Jennifer Minich  •  Broadway World

Justice is served in comic opera

The role of Marie was sung by Baton Rouge soprano Lisette Oropesa on opening night, and she was perfect in this role so closely associated with Beverly Sills and Dame Joan Sutherland. She sang flawless runs and coloratura, acted in the humorous tradition of Carol Burnett, moved like a prima ballerina, and used vocal coloring for best emotional effect. Her pianissimo, crescendo and decrescendo were breathtaking. Clearly, Oropesa is a rising star of opera.

—  Arnold Saltzman  •  Washington Jewish Week

The Daughter of the Regiment offers much-needed respite from tumultuous times

First there are the leads. Grabbing every scene by the short and curlies is an insuppressible Lisette Oropesa, singing her Marie with technical fabulousness and beautifully-toned buoyancy. If she veers a tad close to the chronically-cheerful tradition of Julie Andrews, she offsets it with some great physical comedy. 

—  Kate Wingfield  •  Metro Weekly

Review: Oropesa, Brownlee, Burdette in Rollicking Washington National Opera “Fille du Régiment”, Nov

The title role of Marie, the regimental “daughter”, proved a winsome vehicle for Louisiana lyric coloratura soprano Lisette Oropesa. The role of Marie encompasses both light-hearted coloratura fireworks and highly emotional legato passages. Oropesa navigated the challenging role brilliantly.

Oropesa’s second act aria Par le rang et par l’opulence was one of the many high points of her performance. That aria, whose descending melodies seem to foreshadow later masterpieces of Giuseppe Verdi, the younger composer whom Donizetti mentored, was performed with exquisite sensibility and style.

—  William Burnett  •  Opera Warhorses

Performance History

Lisette has given 16 performances as Marie.