Lucio Silla  set to debut at the Elgin Theatre, as Opera Atelier’s Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg present their critically acclaimed production of Mozart’s first masterpiece.

Pynkoski & Zingg collaborate on Lucio Silla in Salzburg.

The premiere of Mozart’s Lucio Silla is a special one for Canadian opera fans as it is the first time the composer’s masterpiece will be produced in Canada. This is Mozart’s first masterpiece, where love proves more powerful than the tyranny of Rome’s infamous dictator. You’ll find passion, intrigue and redemption in an opera that is notoriously challenging for singers.

Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, the beautiful duo behind Opera Atelier first staged and choreographed Silla after being invited to Salzburg for Mozartwoche in 2013, followed by a run at La Scala in Milan in 2015. The production won international acclaim and serves as the cornerstone of the 30^th anniversary for the company. Audiences can expect a wealth of dance by the Artists of Atelier Ballet, a staged chorus, and the gorgeous instrumentation of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

Silla will feature Krešimir Špicer in the title role, and the lauded Latvian soprano Inga Kalna as Cinna, both of whom starred in the La Scala production.

The two are joined by Mireille Asselin, Peggy Kriha Dye, and Meghan Lindsay.

Lindsay plays the heroine, Giunia, the object of Lucio Silla’s pursuit. When we last sat down with Lindsay she told us that she loved playing Mozart’s heroines, so we asked the talented soprano what she was most looking forward to in this new production.

This is a role debut for me and it has been a journey to explore Mozart’s Lucio Silla which shows some of his most virtuosic writing for the voice. I’m most excited to bring this piece to the stage and share it with Canadian audiences. Doing a Canadian premiere with such a superb company and cast is a huge honour.

On her preparations for a role that is notoriously daunting for singers, Lindsay responded:

One of the biggest challenges about a role of this scale and difficulty is finding peace within the drama and vocal fireworks. Giunia is a very noble, yet distraught woman. Finding musical and vocal expressions to colour her emotions has been a large part of my process. As our director Marshall often says, “it’s not easy to play the ‘good guy.’” I spend a lot of time thinking about how to portray strength and grace, while bringing humanity to the character. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to witness this Canadian first, for Mozart’s Lucio Sillo.

Lucio Silla is on stage at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre, Thursday April 7, 2016, through April 16^th.

For more information and tickets, please visit: operaatelier.com