NY's Caramoor festival to present Verdi rarities

(AP) New York's Caramoor music festival plans to present a pair of Verdi rarities this summer to mark 200 years since the composer's birth.

Bel Canto at Caramoor said Wednesday it will give semi-staged concert performances of the original French versions of Les vepres siciliennes and Don Carlos, commissioned by the Paris Opera in the 19th century. They are almost always performed as the Italian revisions by Verdi.

The French siciliennes on July 6 will star Angela Meade as Helene, John Osborn as Henri, Marco Nistico as Montfort and Burak Bilgili as Procida. Don Carlos on July 20 will feature Arnold Rutkowski in the title role, Jennifer Check as Elisabeth, Jennifer Larmore as Eboli, Christophoros Stamboglis as Philippe and Stephen Powell as Rodrigue.

Will Crutchfield will conduct the Orchestra of St. Luke's in both operas.