Joseph Kaiser is to replace Hugh Smith in Chicago's Lyric Opera production Canadian tenor Joseph Kaiser will replace Hugh Smith as Mark, a young man of who's almost jilted on his wedding day, in Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production of Sir Michael Tippett's 'The Midsummer Marriage,' which has its company premiere Nov. 19 through Dec. 16, 2005.
Lyric's music director Sir Andrew Davis will conduct the new production staged by Sir Peter Hall, with set and costume designs by Alison Chitty, lighting design by Peter Mumford (debut), and choreography by Wayne McGregor (debut).
After discussions with Sir Andrew Davis and William Mason, Hugh Smith requested to withdraw from the role of Mark. Commenting on the change, Mason stated, "Sir Andrew and I engaged Mr. Smith more than four years ago after his very successful Lyric appearances as Laca in 'Jen_fa' and Foresto in 'Attila' in our 2000-01 season. He came fully prepared and is singing wonderfully, but over the last four years his voice has grown in size and heft and darkened in color. We mutually agreed that the role of Mark requires a different vocal aesthetic and have agreed to release him from his contract."
In 2007 Joseph Kaiser will be seen by an international film audience, starring as Tamino in Sir Kenneth Branagh's new version of 'The Magic Flute.' (The soundtrack, also scheduled for international release, has already been recorded under James Conlon's baton.) With Sir Simon Rattle conducting, Kaiser is to sing Froh in a new production of 'Das Rheingold' at the Aix-en-Provence and Salzburg festivals, as well as with the Berlin Philharmonic. His plans also include Macduff in a new 'Macbeth' at San Francisco Opera and various appearances under Conlon at the 'Los Angeles Opera.'
Kaiser debuted at Lyric Opera of Chicago last season in 'Aida' under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis and returned for 'Fidelio,' led by Christoph von Dohnanyi. The tenor attracted significant attention singing the demanding role of Mosca in the world premiere of John Musto's 'Volpone' at Wolf Trap Opera Company. Other highlights of past opera seasons include Baz Luhrmann's production of 'La boheme' on Broadway; New York City Opera productions of 'Carmen' and John Philip Sousa's 'The Glassblowers'; a Lincoln Center Festival debut in Bright Sheng's opera 'Silver River'; Glimmerglass Opera productions of 'The Glassblowers' and the world premiere of the 'Central Park trilogy'; 'Sweeney Todd' at Calgary Opera; and the world premiere of 'Erewhon' with Pacific Opera Victoria.
Last summer Kaiser debuted at the Ravinia Festival, first performing in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 under Christoph Eschenbach and then in Verdi's 'Otello' under James Conlon. Also in 2005, the Beethoven work brought his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Kaiser's commitment to recital and concert repertoire has led to a solo recital on the Debut Series of Ottawa's National Arts Centre (including national CBC Radio broadcast); a duo recital with renowned mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson at the Caramoor Festival; a New York solo recital debut as the song prize winner of the Julian Autrey Foundation; and appearances with the New York Festival of Song, the Chicago Humanities Festival, and The Library of Congress Concert Series. Kaiser's recent solo recital in Montreal was honored by CBC-Radio Canada as the Outstanding Young Vocalist Recital of the Year and given a national broadcast on the network.
A prize-winner in the 2005 Placido Domingo Operalia Competition, Kaiser is a second-year ensemble member of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists.
