| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Erato, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Phone: 414-291-5700 ext. 222
Email: aerato@florentineopera.org
Lighthearted Fun and Familiar Melodies Reign
in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville
What:The Barber of Seville by Gioacchino Rossini
When:
Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 28, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 29, 2007@ 2:30 PM
Where:
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
929 North Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Tickets: Single tickets for The Barber of Seville range from $17 to $136 and are available online at www.florentineopera.org; or by phone at 414-291-5700 ext. 224.
Supertitles: The Barber of Seville will be sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage.
Description: Fresh, engaging and hilarious—Rossini’s The Barber of Seville remains a must-see for all opera fans. The stage is set for confusion and hilarious antics when the greedy old Dr. Bartolo and the handsome young Count Almaviva both set their sights on winning the hand of the beautiful Rosina in marriage. Filled with familiar melodies, The Barber of Seville is truly one of opera’s best and most enduring classics. Bringing his extensive operatic and performance experience to the Milwaukee stage, Florentine Opera General Director William Florescu will direct what is sure to be one of the highlights of the 2006-07 arts scene.
SYNOPSIS
Act I- After arriving in Sevillie, Count Almaviva brings a band of musicians to serenade his love, Rosina, the ward of Dr. Bartolo, who is kept confined to the house. Rosina fails to answer his song, so the count pays the players and they leave. Figaro the town barber enters, boasting of his busy life in the neighborhood. Although Figaro works for Dr. Bartolo, he agrees to help Almaviva to win Rosina, provided he is suitably rewarded for his trouble. No sooner has Bartolo left the house to begin preparations for his own marriage to Rosina, whom he wants to marry for her money, than Almaviva begins a second serenade, calling himself ‘Lindoro,’ a poor man who can only offer Rosina his love. Figaro suggets that Almaviva disguise himself as a drunken soldier in order to gain entrance to Dr. Bartolo’s house.
All alone in the house, Rosina thinks of the voice that has touched her heart, and vows to outwit the Doctor. Figaro briefly joins her, but both hide when they hear footsteps approaching. Dr. Bartolo enters with Don Basilio, the music master. Basilio tells the Doctor that Almaviva is his rival and advises him to slander the nobleman’s reputation. Figaro overhears the conversation, and warns Rosina that Bartolo plans to marry her the next day. He also promises to deliver a note she has written to ‘Lindoro.’ Rosina, alone with Bartolo, is first interrogated, and then must listen to him boast of his cleverness. Berta, the housekeeper, answers the loud knocking at the door and admits Almaviva, in his disguise as a drunken soldier, into the house. Almaviva claims he seeks lodging for the night. He argues with Bartolo, and manages to slip Rosina a note. Bartolo demands to see the note, and Rosina gives him a laundry list. Figaro comes in and warns them all that the commotion has attracted a crowd. The police arrive to silence the disturbance and are about to arrest Almaviva, but learn his identity. Impressed, they slip away without making an arrest, and Rosina, Berta, Bartolo and Basilio are left, confused. The act ends with the Count anticipating the joy of his love and Figaro anticipating the joy of money.
Act II- Count Almaviva returns to the house the next day, this time disguised as a young music teacher named Don Alonso. He claims that he was sent as a substitute for the ailing Don Basilio. Rosina enters and recognizes her suitor. Figaro arrives to give the Doctor his daily shave and manages to steal the key to the balcony window, unlocking it so that Rosina can escape later. Suddenly, Basilio arrives, angry and not the least bit ill. However, after he is bribed by Almaviva, he feigns illness and departs. Figaro shaves Bartolo and Almaviva and Rosina plan their elopement. They are overheard by the Doctor, who throws Figaro and Almaviva from the house and locks Rosina in her room. He then sends for Basilio. Bartolo vows to dash the young lovers’ plans by marrying Rosina that night and having Figaro and Almaviva arrested as thieves. Almaviva arrives and explains to Rosina his true identity. Figaro urges the two to hurry, but before they can escape, someone takes away the ladder they had planned to use to climb down the balcony. Basilio enters with the notary, whom he has summoned to perform the wedding. The official instead marries Almaviva and Rosina. Almaviva bribes Basilio to keep him from interfering, and Bartolo rushes in too late and finds Rosina and Almaviva already married. Almaviva allows Bartolo to keep Rosina’s dowry, and the old man gladly accepts the situation, ensuring a happy ending for all.
ARTISTIC INFORMATION
Figaro / Daniel Belcher
Baritone Daniel Belcher is in demand for leading roles at opera houses worldwide. Since his international opera debut in the title role of Don Giovanni on tours of Japan and Korea, Mr. Belcher has performed leading Mozart roles in major cities throughout the world, with companies such as the New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera,
Houston Grand Opera and Opera Columbus, as well as engagements in Europe.
This summer marks Mr. Belcher’s opera debut in both the United Kingdom and Paris. A Kansas City native, he currently resides in Missouri and appears often with his home company, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Rosina / Jennifer Rivera
After being selected as Outstanding Debut Artist by New York City Opera in 2002, Jennifer Rivera has gone on to perform leading roles with that company each season, as well as expanding her operatic repertoire throughout the United States and abroad. She has appeared with companies across the United States, including the New York City Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Madison Opera and Opera Columbus. She has also performed in Japan, appearing courtesy of the New York City Opera on tour. Ms. Rivera has received many awards and honors over the years including full merit scholarships to both Boston University, where she earned her Bachelor Degree, and the Juilliard School, where she earned her Master Degree.
Other notable members of the cast include the appearances of:
Count Almaviva / Brian Downen, tenor
Bartolo / Kevin Glavin, bass
Basilio / Kurt Link, bass
Berta / Kathryn Cowdrick, mezzo-soprano
Director / William Florescu
General Director of the Florentine Opera since May 2005, William Florescu has had a varied career as soloist in opera and concert, as well as stage director, teacher and administrator. In May of 1999, he was named General Director of the Lake George Opera after seven years as General Director of the Columbus Light Opera in Columbus, OH. While in Ohio he was also Associate Dean and Director of Opera/Musical Theatre at the Capital University Conservatory of Music. During the past six seasons at Lake George Opera, he has produced a number of operas, and in July of 2001 he directed a critically lauded, sold out run of H.M.S. Pinafore for the company. His first production with the Florentine Opera included an innovative update of Beethoven’s Fidelio, and in Spring 2006 he brings to Milwaukee a new co-production of Verdi’s Aida, the largest production ever presented by the Florentine to date. While at the Florentine, Mr. Florescu has also directed My First Opera, an in-school presentation for the Education and Outreach department.
Conductor / Christopher Larkin
Christopher Larkin is one of the foremost conductors of opera in North America today. He has appeared as a guest conductor with Santa Fe Opera, Washington Opera, New York City Opera and Houston Grand Opera, among others. Recent debuts include Boston Lyric Opera, where he conducted the East Coast premiere of Resurrection by composer Tod Machover, and his appearance at Opera Pacific for the West Coast premiere of Mark Adamo's Little Women. Maestro Larkin has worked as an Assistant Conductor and vocal coach with several major opera companies in North America, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Vancouver Opera, and the Canadian Opera Company.
SUBSCRTIPION INFORMATION
Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera’s 2006-07 Season will go on sale February 27, 2006. To request a season brochure email us at info@florentineopera.org or call 414.291.5700.
Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera Company is Wisconsin’s oldest and most enduring performing arts organization. It is also the fifth oldest opera company in the United States. Today Florentine audiences enjoy beautifully mounted main stage productions each season that include first-rate vocal artistry, the visual excitement of elaborate, period authentic sets and costumes, high drama, light hearted comedy and superb choreography. Audiences also enjoy outstanding modern works such as the 1999 North American premiere of Lowell Lieberman’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, the 2002 Milwaukee premiere of Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the 2003 Florentine premiere of Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
For additional artist biography information or to schedule an interview with any of the artists above, please contact Amy Erato, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at 414-291-5700 ext. 222. |
