New York, NY  - In partnership with Teatro Grattacielo, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) presents a full production of Giulietta e Romeo directed by internationally acclaimed, Stefanos Koroneos and based on Luigi Da Porto’s 16th century novella by the same name. The site-specific production will take place in Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park in Battery Park City, at 9:00 pm on Saturday, June 4th and Sunday June 5th. The two performances will be free and open to the public, positioned outdoors next to the Hudson waterfront with the Statue of Liberty in clear view. This will be the first time a world-class opera will be presented in its full capacity in Downtown Manhattan. A once in a life-time experience sure to captivate a wide audience from opera buffs to park lovers alike. Interested individuals can find out more online at bpca.ny.gov/news/events, by phone at (212) 267-9700, or at https://grattacielo.org

The performances will be part of the Festival of New York, an unprecedented movement of nearly 200 organizations across the city to marshal the creativity, resiliency, diversity, and spirit of collaboration that makes New York one of the strongest and most inspiring cities on earth. [FestivalofNY.com]

Teatro Grattacielo’s mission is to promote performances from an operatic repertoire rarely heard in the U.S which accompanies a season of classic operatic titles. Through performances in New York City, strategic national and international collaborations and educational outreach, Teatro Grattacielo promotes artists and the appreciation of operatic traditions with an eye on innovation and inclusivity. 

“We chose Zandonai’s beautiful Giulietta e Romeo (a spinoff of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet) because it fits the architectural setting of the Wagner Pavilion and tells a story of eternal love - exactly the sentiment that many of us are in need of right now.” Executive and Artistic Director Stefanos Koroneos - Teatro Grattacielo

The opera was written by Italian composer Riccardo Zandonai (1883–1944) He caused quite a stir by placing emphasis on the female character with the title Giulietta e Romeo —not at all common in those days. All the classic elements of the ancient story made famous by Shakespere can also be found in Zandonai’s 1922 rendition: family rivalry, an ecstatic fight scene, the triumphant return, and of course, prohibited love between the illustrious Giulietta Capuleti and Romeo Montecchi embodied in the iconic balcony scene. 

Known for its progressive and multimedia-based exploration of opera, Teatro Grattacielo’s use of technology and contemporary aesthetics will bring a whole new twist to the classic tale— a real treat for the senses! Crisp, saturated and dynamic projections of splashing waves, marbleized liquids, and dynamic close-ups will bring the Wagner Pavilion to life while acting as the scenic backdrop to the story. The color palette will be dominated by black with splashes of sultry color to contrast. In addition to Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt and 9 secondary characters, the composition will include a 30 piece orchestra and a 30 person double chorus representing the two opposing families: Montagues and Capulets. 

About BPCA: Established in 1968, The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority is a New York State Public Benefit Corporation charged with developing and maintaining a well-balanced community on the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Battery Park City’s 92-acre site has achieved worldwide acclaim as a model for community renewal in planning, creating, and maintaining a balance of commercial, residential, retail and park space. By pioneering development through ground leases and bonding authority with public/private partnerships between the BPCA and private developers, this planned community has become a blueprint for successful urban development.

For more info visit: bpca.ny.gov.