Sung in the original Spanish
Libretto by Marcela Fuentes-Berain
World premiere: October 25, 1996, at Houston Grand Opera

The Cast
Florencia Grimaldi ....................... Alexandra Coku
Riolobo .......................................... Nmon Ford
Rosalba ......................................... Shana Blake Hill
Arcadio ........................................... Arturo Chacón-Cruz
Paula .............................................. Emily Golden
Alvaro .............................................. Carlos Archuleta
Capitan ........................................... Burak Bilgili

The Creative Team
Conductor ...................................... Steven Mercurio
Stage Director ............................... Andy Morton
Scenic Designer ........................... Robert Israel
Costume Designer ...................... Catherine Zuber
Lighting Director ........................... Paul Pyant
Choreographer ............................. Danny Pelzig
Chorus Master .............................. Henri Venanzi
Production ..................................... Houston Grand Opera/Francesca Zambello

Cincinnati Opera's first-ever mainstage opera in Spanish, will include the original Francesca Zambello production which premiered at Houston Grand Opera and presents nearly an entire cast of Cincinnati debuts. American soprano Alexandra Coku will make her Cincinnati Opera debut singing the role of Florencia. Of Ms. Coku's recent Houston Grand Opera performance Opera News writes: "a masterpiece of expressivity."

Making his Cincinnati Opera debut in the role of Riolobo, the spirit of the river, is a two-time 2006 Grammy Award winning Panamanian-American baritone Nmon Ford, who brings his "resonating baritone, and his gripping presence" (Opera News) to the role.

Also debuting, mezzo-soprano Emily Golden brings her "handsome mezzo-soprano voice, lustrously dark in the mezzo range" (The New York Times) to sing the role of Paula, one of the passengers.

Soprano, Shana Blake Hill, referred to in the Los Angeles Times as "an intense young soprano...a standout," debuts in Cincinnati in the role of Rosalba. Mexican tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, "a star worth watching" (The Washington Post) sings the role of Arcadio. Native New Mexican baritone Carlos Archuleta sings the role of Alvaro. Of Mr. Archuleta's recent portrayal in Nixon in China, Opera News deemed him an outstanding Nixon and writes "he sang the role beautifully." Young Turkish bass Burak Bilgili returns to sing Capitan after singing Ramfis in Aida (2007).

The talented American conductor, Steven Mercurio, will be on the podium. Maestro Mercurio has written arrangements for a wide array of artists including Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Ben Heppner, Bryn Terfel, Marcello Giordani, and Secret Garden. Andy Morton is stage director.

The "truly stunning" (Houston Press) production was designed by Robert Israel with costumes by Catherine Zuber. Lighting direction will be provided by Paul Pyant. Danny Pelzig is choreographer, and Henri Venanzi is chorus master.