In a press release, Asheville Lyric Opera’s General and Artistic Director David Craig Starkey announces the local opera’s twelfth season (2010-2011) “which will feature five main stage events and additional supporting programs throughout Western North Carolina.”

The five productions include:

• Die Zauberflöte (October 8 & 9, 2010), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will feature the debut of Maestro Daniel Meyer of the Asheville Symphony.

• The ALO Christmas Concert (November 19, 2010), a new tradition of the ALO entering its 2nd year, will feature beloved solo and ensemble music on the night before the 64th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade.

• Brundibár, (January 28 & 29, 2011), by Hans Krasa will make its Asheville debut. Brundibar is a children’s opera, which will be produced as part of the ALO Education Opera program.

• La Bohème (April 1 & 2, 2011), by Giacomo Puccini, is an opera classic and reigning public favorite; it will be the season’s final fully staged opera.

• A Taste of Opera, (June 4, 2011”) is the fifth main stage event and will feature performances of past, present and future vocal stars. The night will include fine wine and gourmet food from 10 or more of Asheville’s finest restaurants.

Two more pieces of news:
• “The 2010-2011 season features the debut of maestro Daniel Meyer, the current conductor of the Asheville Symphony. The season will also feature the return of maestro Dr. Robert Hart Baker, former Artistic Director of the Asheville Symphony, Jon Truitt, Director of Opera at University of Evansville and director David Toulson of Los Angeles and Washington National Opera companies.”
• “ALO Assistant Music Director and director of the Brevard College Choirs, Dr. Michael Porter, will lead soloists and ensembles in the Christmas Concert, and will conduct Brundibár.”