JOHNSTON, IOWA (October 6, 2021) — Set against the backdrop of Imperial Russia, Tchaikovsky's opera depicts a world where fate and fortune are a gamble. Des Moines Metro Opera Presents The Queen of Spades premieres Friday, October 29 at 8:30PM on statewide Iowa PBS.
In this new production of a rarely-performed masterpiece, the soldier Gherman parlays his love for the young aristocrat Lisa into a life-and-death wager. In his own time, many considered The Queen of Spades to be Tchaikovsky's finest opera. First performed in St Petersburg in 1890, Iowa PBS's exclusive coverage of Des Moines Metro Opera's production was recorded on July 13, 2021 in Russian with English supertitles.
"When I am thinking about The Queen of Spades, I'm constantly struck with how fiendishly difficult it is to produce, to dig into," said Stage Director Matthew Ozawa. "It's a piece that's so rarely performed."
Des Moines Metro Opera Presents The Queen of Spades features the return of three popular artists to Des Moines Metro Opera, each making a debut in their respective role. Tenor Jonathan Burton plays the role of Gherman; soprano Sara Gartland is Lisa; and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce Castle as the Countess celebrates her 140th role in the 51st year of her remarkable career.
"During a time where access to the arts has been limited, bringing talented artists and stunning performances like this to Iowans is incredibly valuable and rewarding," said Iowa PBS Producer and Director Judy Blank.
Viewers will enjoy behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and creative team-members, including Des Moines Metro Opera General and Artistic Director Michael Egel, Conductor David Neely, and Stage Director Matthew Ozawa.
In addition to its statewide broadcast, Iowa PBS .1 is available to livestream on iowapbs.org/watch, pbs.org/livestream, the PBS Video App, and YouTube TV. Iowa PBS programs, behind-the-scenes extras and more can be enjoyed on iowapbs.org, Facebook, and YouTube. Viewers can also stream their favorite shows on demand using the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, and many streaming devices.
Learn more at iowapbs.org.
As Iowa's only statewide television network, Iowa PBS's mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans guides its quality, non-commercial programming that tells Iowa's stories like no one else can. Four statewide, public channels offer programs of lasting value to Iowans, regardless of where they live or what they can afford: Iowa PBS .1, Iowa PBS KIDS .2, Iowa PBS WORLD .3 and Iowa PBS Create .4 on Channel 11, Des Moines; Channel 12, Iowa City; Channel 21, Fort Dodge; Channel 24, Mason City; Channel 27, Sioux City; Channel 32, Waterloo; Channel 32, Council Bluffs; Channel 36, Davenport; and Channel 36, Red Oak. More information can be found at iowapbs.org.
