When the Michigan Opera Theatre opens its season with Giuseppe Verdi's "Nabucco" on Saturday, an Ypsilanti native and and Ann Arbor native will be part of the cast.

Carla Dirlikov, an Ypsilanti native, and Alexa Lokensgard, an Ann Arbor native, will be performing their first professional performances with the Michigan Opera Theatre in "Nabucco" at the Detroit Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 21, and 24.

Carla Dirlikova

The production will mark the first time in Michigan Opera Theatre history that the company will present the work and the first time in nearly 50 years that the opera will be staged in Michigan.

MOT describes the work this way: "A Biblical love triangle in four acts, the opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles projected above the stage. 'Nabucco' was Verdi’s first major success and, since its debut in March 1842, quickly established him as one of the most respected and beloved composers of his generation. The opera is most well known for its chorus, 'Va, pensiero,' the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, which became famous as the unofficial anthem to unite the nation of Italy during the 19th century and for many years was the only encore the Metropolitan Opera would allow.

Alexa Lokensgard

"The Biblical opera, set in 6th century BC Jerusalem and Babylon, incorporates vengeance, unrequited love, and heroism - all in four acts. A dangerous love triangle between the oppressive King Nabucco’s two daughters, Abigaille and Fenena (Dirlikov), and the nephew of the King of Jerusalem, Ismaele, spurs a whirlwind of tragic events including Godly punishments and deadly trickery.

"The opera will feature returning MOT artists including Italian baritone Marco di Felice as Nabucco, who performed in last year’s La Traviata, as Germont. Turkish bass Burak Bilgili, who was seen in last season’s The Elixir of Love, will perform the role of Zaccaria.

"'Nabucco' will also include the MOT debuts of other artists as well. Among these debuts, Italian soprano Francesca Patanè, who is known for taking on difficult soprano roles in 'Macbeth' and 'Turandot,' will appear in the challenging role of Abigaille while American soprano Carla Dirlikov, who recently made her European debut in Verdi's 'Don Carlo,' will appear as Fenena. Tenor Noah Stewart, who can be seen in the role of Ismaele, recently performed in 'La Tragédie de Carmen' at the Chicago Opera Theater this past spring.

"'Nabucco' will be conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio, who last conducted 'La Rondine' (2008), 'Porgy & Bess' (2006), and 'La Bohéme' (2005) for MOT. The opera will be staged by Italian director Mario Corradi who last directed 'Madame Butterfly' (2008) with the company. Sets designed by Roberto Oswald and costumes designed by Anibal Lapiz will be provided by Baltimore Opera Company."

Tickets, at $29-$121, are available online at www.MichiganOpera.org; in person at the Detroit Opera House box office, 1526 Broadway, Detroit; by calling 313-237-SING, or through Ticketmaster.