Il mondo della luna January 19, 2010

Gotham Chamber Opera, in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History and in association with American Repertory Theater, presents "Il mondo della luna" (The World on the Moon) by Joseph Haydn, in a new production staged by Diane Paulus, director of "Hair", which received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. "Il mondo della luna" will run from January 19 – 28, 2010 at the Hayden Planetarium in the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History. Tickets are $30-$125 and are available at www.ticketcentral.com or by phone at 212-279-4200.

For the first time ever, the Hayden Planetarium will be transformed into an intimate opera house using a 180-degree dome and projections courtesy of NASA. Taking advantage of breakthroughs in laser and light technology, "Il mondo della luna" will fuse live opera and stargazing, immersing the audience in a completely new kind of theatrical event – an out-of-this-world experience for opera lovers, science buffs, and theatergoers alike.

The production will be directed by Diane Paulus, whom "Opera News" calls one of the top 25 names in U.S. opera. Leading the 27-piece orchestra is conductor Neal Goren. Video and production design is by Philip Bussmann, costume design is by Anka Lupes, with Andrew Eggert as associate director. "Il mondo della luna" features Hanan Alattar, Albina Shagimuratova, Rachel Calloway, Nicholas Coppolo, Matthew Tuell, Timothy Kuhn, and Marco Nisticò.

Gotham Chamber Opera will literally take audiences to the moon in this production, Haydn’s personal favorite of all his operas. Written in 1777, it’s the story of a nobleman who refuses to let his daughters marry their true loves. With the help of a fake astronomer and a sleeping potion, the daughters trick their father into believing he’s been sent to the moon, where he discovers they do things differently, especially when it comes to courtship. On the moon, women are allowed to choose their own husbands.

"Il mondo della luna" will run from January 19 – 28, 2010 at the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, with performances on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:30pm (Opening Night); Wednesday, January 20 at 8pm; Monday, January 25 at 8pm; Tuesday, January 26 at 8pm; and Thursday, January 28 at 8pm. The Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History is located in the Rose Center for Earth and Space on West 81st Street (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue). Tickets are $30-$125 and are available through Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or www.ticketcentral.com. Opening Night and after-party tickets are $500 ($325 tax-deductible) and are available by calling (212) 868-4460.

For more information, visit www.gothamchamberopera.org.

Official Website: http://www.gothamchamberopera.org