Moby-Dick

The opera is based on the famous novel of the same name by Herman Melville, about Captain Ahab’s monomaniacal pursuit of a legendary white whale in his ship the Pequod.

Pittsburgh Opera will be performing an exciting new production of Moby-Dick, which we co-produced with Utah Opera and which debuted in Salt Lake City this January. The Salt Lake Tribune praised that “Erhard Rom’s abstract set design, Jessica Jahn’s exhaustively researched costumes and Kristine McIntyre’s authoritative stage direction pull the audience into the action.”

The world-class cast includes two singers making their Pittsburgh Opera debuts plus some returning favorites.

Canadian tenor Roger Honeywell returns to Pittsburgh as the obsessed Captain Ahab, who will stop at nothing to wreak his revenge on the giant whale that previously took off his leg. Honeywell also sang the role in Salt Lake City this January, where his “fierce performance brought Ahab to terrifying life” according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Former Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Sean Panikkar, last seen here in the world premiere of The Summer King – The Josh Gibson Story, sings the role of whaling neophyte Greenhorn, aka Ishmael in the book.

Texas baritone Michael Mayes brings his “powerful” voice and “arresting stage presence” to his Pittsburgh Opera debut as Starbuck, the Pequod’s First Mate, who is torn between his duty to his captain and his duty to himself.

Also debuting is Musa Ngqungwana, a South African bass-baritone, as tattooed harpooner Queequeg, who befriends Greenhorn. The Dallas Observer called him a “powerful presence” when he portrayed Queequeg in 2016, and Limelight Magazine said he was “gorgeously resonant” in Utah this January.

Antony Walker conducts. Kristine McIntyre directs. Dancers provided by Attack Theatre.