The 2008 Festival concludes with American composer and librettist Carlisle Floyd's Susannah, opening July 5 and running through Aug. 10. A glimpse in to small town America, this retelling of the Apocryphal biblical tale of Susannah and the Elders takes place in rural Tennessee. The story concerns a heroine falsely accused of immoral behavior when seen bathing in a creek by the church elders. Shunned by the community, Susannah seeks solace from the town's itinerant preacher who seduces the young girl in her weakened state. Susannah's brother, Sam seeks revenge and with hardened heart, she is left to drive away the townspeople alone. One of the few American operas to have secured a place in the current repertoire of both American and international companies, Susannah was living composer Carlisle Floyd's first full-length opera. Having grown up in the Southern Bible Belt of America as the son of a Methodist minister, Floyd was quite familiar with the subject matter for Susannah. In his uniquely American style, the composer wrote richly lyrical music inspired by folk styles and rhythms. In addition to the 1997 production of Susannah, Central City Opera has also presented Carlisle Floyd's Of Mice and Men (1970).

Hal Francereturns to lead the Central City Opera (CCO) Orchestra after his lauded performances of Menotti's The Saint of Bleecker Street last summer. Having enjoyed a longstanding relationship with CCO, additional previous productions include L'Italiana in Algeri (2003); A Midsummer's Night's Dream (2002) and Gloriana (2001). Maestro France is a veteran of Carlisle Floyd's operas, having conducted all of them except Susannah, making this his debut of the piece.