Utah Opera has announced its 2011-12 season. The company will present four productions in Salt Lake City's Capitol Theatre. Most of the operas are receiving only their second Utah Opera outing, and none has been staged by the company since 2001.

"Fidelio," Oct. 8-16 • Beethoven's only opera tells the story of Leonore, who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband, Florestan, a political prisoner. The opera is sung in German. Soprano Brenda Harris, who has sung roles such as Lady Macbeth and the title role in "Ariadne auf Naxos" at Utah Opera, will play Leonore; tenor Corey Bix is Florestan. Richard Buckley conducts, and Eric Einhorn is stage director. Utah Opera has presented "Fidelio" once before, in 1999.

"Rigoletto," Jan. 21-29 • Verdi's tragedy, based on Victor Hugo's Le roi s'amuse, revolves around a court jester whose attempts to keep his beautiful daughter away from his lecherous boss backfire in the worst possible way. Utah Opera last staged the popular Italian opera in 2001. Baritone Guido Lebron, who has played the Puccini villains Jack Rance and Baron Scarpia here previously, will sing the title role; tenor Robert McPherson is the Duke of Mantua, and Utah's own Celena Shafer is the lovely Gilda. Conductor is Robert Tweten, with stage director Tara Faircloth.

"The Elixir of Love," March 10-18 • Donizetti's bel canto favorite is the season's only comedy. It revolves around the peasant Nemorino, who believes a love potion is just the thing he needs to win the heart of the wealthy Adina. "Elixir" has played at Utah Opera only once, in 1986. It is sung in Italian. Tenor Aaron Blake, a former Utah Opera Ensemble Artist, is Nemorino, with soprano Anya Matanovic, recently seen as Gretel in the company's "Hansel and Gretel," as Adina. Utah Symphony | Utah Opera chorus master Susanne Sheston conducts; Crystal Manich is stage director.

"Of Mice and Men," May 5-13 • Carlisle Floyd's 1970 adaptation of the John Steinbeck classic concerns the friendship of ranch hands George Milton and Lennie Small. It's sung in English. The Utah Opera first produced this opera in 1999. Baritone Michael Sumuel will portray George; tenor Corey Bix is Lennie. Conductor is James Lowe, and stage director is Kevin Newbury.

Season tickets go on sale March 1. Call 801-533-NOTE (6683) or visit www.utahopera.org.

Catherine Reese Newton —

Utah Opera

Season tickets go on sale March 1. Call 801-533-NOTE (6683) or visit www.utahopera.org.