Mohammed Fairouz : The Dictator’s Wife
13, 15 Jan 2017 
Washington, Kennedy Center Opera House
Washington National Opera
Conductor Nicole Paiement
World premiere

Mohammed Fairouz : The Dictator’s Wife

About
THE DICTATOR’S WIFE
NEW HOUR-LONG OPERA

In this bitingly satirical work, the glamorous yet tormented wife of a once-powerful dictator bemoans that she is now having to answer for all of the terrible atrocities committed by her husband, who has taken to cowering in the bathroom as the country falls apart. Hailed as “an important new artistic voice” (The New York Times), young American composer-on-the-rise Mohammed Fairouz and prominent Pakistani writer/librettist Mohammed Hanif–whose collaborative opera Bhutto has just been selected for a world premiere at Pittsburgh Opera–will develop this new production based on Hanif’s critically acclaimed play of the same title. The Dictator’s Wife will be conducted by Nicole Paiement (WNO’s The Little Prince).

Performance Timing: 1 hour, with no intermission.

STAY AFTER FOR A FREE TALKBACK WITH THE ARTISTS
Following both performances:
Friday evening, Jan. 13
Sunday matinee, Jan. 15
Don’t miss your opportunity to engage directly with our artists and share your thoughts on the experience you just had! Here’s your chance to ask questions and get the inside scoop on the production from members of the cast and creative team.
All discussions begin immediately after the performance and are free with your ticket.

“WNO’s American Opera Initiative is an exciting and positive leap forward in the trajectory of American opera: keeping it fresh, energized, bold, and current.”
–Jake Heggie, composer and former American Opera Initiative advisor

Washington, Kennedy Center Opera House Washington National Opera Mohammed Fairouz : The Dictator’s Wife

AMERICAN OPERA INITIATIVE FESTIVAL
WNO’s acclaimed commissioning program for contemporary American opera enters its fifth exciting season, this time with four world premieres presented across a single weekend (The Dictator’s Wife hour-long opera and Three New 20-Minute Operas). Our Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists and other talented performers will be among the casts.

Says the Washington Post: “Encouraging new voices and new work is a good thing… and [the American Opera Initiative] is getting more music heard. Let’s applaud it–and attend it!” Meanwhile, the Baltimore Sun praises WNO’s “expert mentoring” from program director Michael Heaston, also Associate Artistic Director of The Glimmerglass Festival, who was recently named one of Musical America’s top 2015 “Influencers.” This year’s distinguished advisors include composer John Musto (Later the Same Evening, The Inspector), librettist Gene Scheer (Three Decembers, WNO’s Moby-Dick), and conductor Steven Osgood (General and Artistic Director of Chautauqua Opera Company).

About
THE DICTATOR’S WIFE
NEW HOUR-LONG OPERA

In this bitingly satirical work, the glamorous yet tormented wife of a once-powerful dictator bemoans that she is now having to answer for all of the terrible atrocities committed by her husband, who has taken to cowering in the bathroom as the country falls apart. Hailed as “an important new artistic voice” (The New York Times), young American composer-on-the-rise Mohammed Fairouz and prominent Pakistani writer/librettist Mohammed Hanif–whose collaborative opera Bhutto has just been selected for a world premiere at Pittsburgh Opera–will develop this new production based on Hanif’s critically acclaimed play of the same title. The Dictator’s Wife will be conducted by Nicole Paiement (WNO’s The Little Prince).

Performance Timing: 1 hour, with no intermission.

STAY AFTER FOR A FREE TALKBACK WITH THE ARTISTS
Following both performances:
Friday evening, Jan. 13
Sunday matinee, Jan. 15
Don’t miss your opportunity to engage directly with our artists and share your thoughts on the experience you just had! Here’s your chance to ask questions and get the inside scoop on the production from members of the cast and creative team.
All discussions begin immediately after the performance and are free with your ticket.

“WNO’s American Opera Initiative is an exciting and positive leap forward in the trajectory of American opera: keeping it fresh, energized, bold, and current.”
–Jake Heggie, composer and former American Opera Initiative advisor

AMERICAN OPERA INITIATIVE FESTIVAL
WNO’s acclaimed commissioning program for contemporary American opera enters its fifth exciting season, this time with four world premieres presented across a single weekend (The Dictator’s Wife hour-long opera and Three New 20-Minute Operas). Our Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists and other talented performers will be among the casts.

Says the Washington Post: “Encouraging new voices and new work is a good thing… and [the American Opera Initiative] is getting more music heard. Let’s applaud it–and attend it!” Meanwhile, the Baltimore Sun praises WNO’s “expert mentoring” from program director Michael Heaston, also Associate Artistic Director of The Glimmerglass Festival, who was recently named one of Musical America’s top 2015 “Influencers.” This year’s distinguished advisors include composer John Musto (Later the Same Evening, The Inspector), librettist Gene Scheer (Three Decembers, WNO’s Moby-Dick), and conductor Steven Osgood (General and Artistic Director of Chautauqua Opera Company).

Web site: www.dc-opera.org
Address: Washington National Opera
Kennedy Center
2700 F Street
NW Washington
DC 20566
United States
Administration: 2600 Virginia Ave, NW, Suite 104,Washington, DC 20037
Phone: +1 202 295 2400
Fax: +1 202 295 2479

Season: Sep-Jun
Language: Original
Surtitles: English
Capacity: 2200 seats 40 standing Kennedy Center Opera House
1100 seats 40 standing Eisenhower Theater

Booking: in person, postal, phone, E-mail
Phone: +1 202 295 2400
E-mail: tickets@dc-opera.org

Disabled access: Wheelchair space (202 416 8340) Toilets
Hearing impaired: Hearing aids (InfraRed)