Wanton women take center stage at Hawaii Opera Theatre in 2002

Bad girls of opera - call ’em wanton women - will be the focus of the Hawaii Opera Theatre’s 2002 season, beginning next Feb. 1 at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

The upcoming season, HOT’s 41st, will assemble a trio of notable operas with heroines of dubious distinction from classic works in the opera repertoire.

The 2002 schedule, with cast announcements where available:

"La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi, playing Feb. 1, 3 and 5. Features one of the most famous death scenes in opera and an international cast, including Robin Follman as the courtesan Violetta, Warren Mok as her lover Alfredo, and Quinn Kelsey as the Baron. Michael Cavanagh directs; Christopher Larkin conducts the orchestra. This will be a co-production with the Edmonton Opera.

"Salome" by Richard Strauss, playing Feb. 15, 17 and 19. Features Kristine Ciesinski as the sensuous Salome, Kenneth Riegelasher as the stepfather Herod, Ruthild Engert as Herodias, David Okerlund as John the Baptist and James Cornelison as Narraboth. Henry Akina directs, in a reunion with conductor Ivan Torzs.

"Carmen" by Georges Bizet, playing March 1, 3, 5 and 7. Features Ning Liang as the volatile title figure, Matthew Kirchner as Don Jose, Philip Skinner as Escamillo and Karen Driscollas Micaela. Bernard Uzan directs and Mark Flint returns to conduct.

Curtain times: 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. Sundays, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays; the lone Thursday performance will be at 7:30 p.m.

Season tickets: $69 to $231. Single tickets: $25 to $80. Information: 596-7858 or visit www.hawaiiopera.org

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