Piccolo Opera Festival: "Rita"

At the Festival that promotes opera and vocal music, a new and original version of "Rita" by Donizetti takes the stage, set in a Japanese dōjō. Directed by artist Anna Etsuko.

Piccolo Opera Festival The Piccolo Opera Festival promotes opera and vocal music, highlighting the interplay of sound, word, and movement. It brings music beyond traditional settings, showcasing the most beautiful locations in the region and reaching a diverse audience. Another key mission of the festival is to support young professionals in the field of musical theatre. Donizetti’s Rita at Dobrovo Castle – A Fresh, Witty Take with a Japanese Twist On Friday, July 11 at 9 PM, the charming setting of Dobrovo Castle will host a special performance of Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera Rita, as part of the Piccolo Opera Festival. This new production offers a playful, witty reinterpretation with a unique twist – set in a Japanese dōjō (martial arts training hall) at the beginning of the 20th century. The opera tells the story of Rita, a strong-willed woman caught between two husbands – her abusive former husband Gasparo, and her current timid spouse Beppe, whom she dominates “preemptively.” When the first husband suddenly reappears, a chain of comic misunderstandings unfolds, ultimately leading to reconciliation and liberation. Directed by Japanese artist Anna Etsuko Tsuri, in collaboration with EU Japan Fest, this production blends Western operatic tradition with the philosophy of martial arts – highlighting themes of non-violence, mutual respect, and the balance of power Conductor Jimmy Chiang leads the performance, with the GO! Borderless Orchestra providing the musical accompaniment The role of Rita will be performed by Claudia Ceraulo and Alisa Izak (a participant in the GO! Borderless Opera Lab), alongside Manuel Miro Caputo as Beppe and Francesco Bossi as Gasparo Anna Etsuko Tsuri, opera stage director Anna Etsuko Tsuri is an internationally acclaimed opera stage director whose work has been seen at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Queens Museum in New York, New Studio Theatre in Vienna, Spikeri Concert Hall in Riga, New National Theater in Tokyo, and the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater Görlitz-Zittau. Her production of Schoenberg’s Erwartung in Vienna was highly praised by the Schoenberg family. With a career spanning over 80 productions in Europe and experience with the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, and many more, Anna brings a multifaceted approach to opera. She founded Opera Pomme Rouge in New York, supporting emerging artists, and now continues her artistic journey at the Bavarian State Opera and Residenz-Theater in Munich. Jimmy Chiang, Dirigent Jimmy Chiang ist ein Dirigent von außergewöhnlicher Vielseitigkeit, der es versteht, verschiedene Kulturen und Musikstile in einer künstlerischen Vision zu vereinen. Geboren in Hongkong in eine Musikerfamilie, hat er eine internationale Karriere als Pianist, Orchester- und Operndirigent aufgebaut. 2007 gewann er den ersten Preis beim Internationalen Dirigierwettbewerb „Lovro von Matacic“ und ist seit 2013 Kapellmeister der Wiener Sängerknaben — als erster in Hongkong geborener chinesischer Dirigent in der 500-jährigen Geschichte des Chors. Nach Studien in den USA und in Österreich leitete er renommierte Orchester wie das ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, die Wiener Kammerorchester, die Zagreber Philharmoniker und das Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Er gastiert regelmäßig bei bedeutenden Festivals und Opernhäusern weltweit und vereint Disziplin, Sensibilität und tiefen Respekt für die Operntradition. Er spricht fließend Deutsch, Englisch, Chinesisch und Italienisch.  Francesco Bossi, baritone Francesco Bossi (born 1995) is an Italian baritone who graduated with honors from the Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado in Milan. Since his debut as Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni in 2018, he has performed roles such as Figaro, Don Alfonso, and Don Giovanni. In 2021, he won the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Prize and in 2023 received the Belcanto Prize at Rossini in Wildbad. He regularly sings on major stages including Teatro Massimo in Palermo, the Royal Opera Festival in Krakow, and Rossini in Wildbad. Alongside his solo career, he is also active as a choir conductor and vocal coach. Claudia Ceraulo, soprano Sicilian soprano Claudia Ceraulo began her musical studies at the age of 5 and was a member of the children’s choir at the Teatro Massimo Bellini. Graduating with honours from the Bellini Conservatory in Catania, she furthered her training at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and at the Opera School of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. She has performed leading roles such as Violetta, Oscar, Bubikopf, Musetta, Rita, Sophie, Adina, Susanna and Berta in renowned theatres including the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro Grande di Brescia, Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania and Madrid’s Auditorium Nacional. Winner of prestigious awards such as the “Tullio Serafin Prize”, “Puccini Prize”, “Voci in Barcaccia” (RAI Radio 3) and “V. Bellini Prize”, she performs regularly in Italy and abroad, including Monte Carlo, Spain, Poland and Brazil. Manuel Caputo, tenor Born in 1994 in Abbiategrasso (Milan), Manuel Caputo graduated in voice in 2022 from the “Giuseppe Verdi” Conservatory in Milan. His early roles include Edoardo Milfort (La cambiale di matrimonio), a Sailor in Billy Budd (Ghedini), Matteo Borsa in Rigoletto, Gastone in La Traviata (Verdi) and Spoletta in Tosca (Puccini). From 2016 to 2022 he was a chorus member at Teatro alla Scala. He went on to sing Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Vigevano, Festival Ticino Musica) and the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto (Teatro Martinetti di Garlasco). He performed as a chorus artist at the 100th Arena di Verona Festival, debuted as Arlecchino in Pagliacci (Teatro Somsi di Gozzano) and as tenor soloist in Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle and Mozart’s Requiem K.626 (Basilica di San Nicolò, Lecco). In 2024 he is a student of the Advanced Opera Academy at Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, singing Pigmalione in Donizetti’s Il Pigmalione and again Count Almaviva. He also attends the Accademia del Belcanto Rodolfo Celletti in Martina Franca. In 2025 he debuts as Dr. Cajus in Falstaff (AsLiCo production, Teatro Sociale di Como). Ticket Prices: • Full price: €18 • Reduced: €15 • Special price: €9 (for Brda residents and students up to age 26) Tickets on Rita. Ticket purchase: 1 hour before the concert. An unforgettable evening awaits opera lovers and those seeking a fresh take on classic works! More information: Vila Vipolže T: +386 820 55 420 E: info@vilavipolze.eu