Moby-Dick • 2010
Libretto by Gene Scheer
Based on the novel by Herman Melville
Opera in two acts
World Premiere: April 30, 2010
Commissioned by The Dallas Opera, San Francisco Opera, San Diego Opera, Calgary Opera and the State Opera of South Australia
Duration: 2 hours, 25 minutes
About
Set in 1820, the opera tells the story of Ahab, captain of the ill-fated whaleship Pequod, and the crew he commands. Having lost one of his legs to the white whale called Moby Dick, Captain Ahab is obsessed with finding and destroying him at any cost. Only the ship’s first mate, Starbuck, sees the deadly implications of Ahab’s obsession.
“A triumph. Stunningly staged and sung, it captures the elemental forces of the sea and Captain Ahab's obsession with the great white whale that has maimed him. Heggie composes vocal lines that illumine words and emotions.”
Premiere Cast & Creative Team
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Production: Leonard Foglia
Set Designer: Robert Brill
Costume Designer: Jane Greenwood
Lighting Designer: Donald Holder
Projection Designer: Elaine McCarthy
Chorus Conductor: Alexander Rom
Dallas Opera Orchestra and Men’s Chorus
Ahab: Ben Heppner
Greenhorn: Stephen Costello
Starbuck: Morgan Smith
Queequeg: Jonathan Lemalu
Pip: Talise Trevigne
Stubb: Robert Orth
Flask: Matthew O’Neill
Gardiner: Jonathan Beyer
Supported by generous gifts from the Hoblitzelle Foundation, TACA, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, American Express, Robert and Catherine Brackbill, Schollmaier Foundation, James R. Seitz Jr, Sally von Behren, The Tobin Theatre Arts Fund.