Baltimore Opera: News & Events for Opera Fans in Baltimore

BCO to Hold Open Auditions Sunday and Monday Evenings

Michael Blair — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:29:46 +0000

Sunday, April 17th & Monday, April 18th at 7:30pm

Baltimore Concert Opera will hold open auditions in the ballroom of the Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion. Auditions will be held in front of a live audience whose response will factor into our decision making process. Over 20 singers are scheduled to perform each of the two nights!

The Engineers Club is located at:
11 West Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD 21201

Note: Auditioners subject to change without notice.

Tickets: $10 at the door (cash or check) or
Buy Tickets Online and ensure you have a seat.

A cash bar will be available.
Dress code at The Engineers Club is business casual.

For more information or tickets, go to:
www.baltimoreconcertopera.com/auditions.html

International Bass-Baritone Christian Van Horn to Sing in BCO Concert

Michael Blair — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:30:10 +0000

Annapolis Opera Presents The Marriage of Figaro next Weekend, March 11th & 13th

Michael Blair — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:26:20 +0000

Opera Vivente Presents Rinaldo (1731)

Michael Blair — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:32:13 +0000

My dear Rinaldo,

How I long for you to accomplish the destruction of the infidel so that we may be joined in holy wedlock forever. Take possession of Jerusalem as you have taken possession of my heart and return to me triumphant.

Yours in Christ,

Almirena

Dearest Rinaldo,

If you ever want to see Almirena alive again, you’d do well to understand how much I adore you and to what lengths I will go to make you mine. Come to me. I will be waiting.

Yours and yours alone,

Armida

Performed in English in the Great Hall of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 811 Cathedral Street in historic Mount Vernon.

For tickets call 410-547-7997 or visit operavivente.org. Ticket prices are $30-$75 for all performances. Good seats are still available!

ABOUT RINALDO

Opera Vivente presents the American premiere of George Frideric Handel’s 1731 version of Rinaldo.

Rinaldo takes place during the time of the Crusades. Rinaldo has been promised the hand of Almirena, daughter of the General of the Crusade force, Goffredo, if the city is conquered. Meanwhile, the Muslim Argante and his mistress Armida, Queen of Damascus, thwart those plans by abducting Almirena. Rinaldo sets off in pursuit and is himself captured. With the intervention of a Magician and sundry Spirits, Goffredo eventually restores order and frees Rinaldo who, in the final battle, swings the balance in favor of the Christians. Rinaldo and Almirena are reunited; Argante and Armida are captured and convert to Christianity.

In 1711, Rinaldo became the basis for Handel’s operatic success. Its composition was quick, because Handel used a great deal of music that he had previously composed. The opera was revived several times, culminating in a completely revised Rinaldo in 1731. Even that revised Rinaldo incorporated arias from other Handel operas, including Lotario, Partenope, Giulio Cesare and Admeto.

The significance of Opera Vivente producing the 1731 version is that, not only is it a true rarity, but it is a programming choice that reflects economic and audience trends of today that are very similar to those that Handel faced in 1731. His theater had far fewer resources in 1731 than in 1711 and audiences were eschewing spectacle – one would now call it “grand opera”-in favor of shows that touched a more human and emotional chord. Therefore with this new production of Rinaldo, Opera Vivente is acknowledging an artistic as well as a situational connection to history.
SHOW DATES
Friday, 3.4.11 at 7:30pm
Sunday, 3.6.11 at 3pm
Thursday, 3.10.11 at 7:30pm
Saturday, 3.12.11 at 7:30pm

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

CAST AND CREW
Rinaldo
Daniel Bubeck

Argante
Douglas Dodson

Herald/Christian Sorcerer
Jason Epps

Almirena
Leah Inger

Woman/Siren
Sarah Mahon

Siren
Emily McCullough

Goffredo
Frederic Rey

Armida
Rebecca Ringle

Conductor
Joseph Gascho

Director
John Bowen

Set Designer
Thom Bumblauskas

Lighting Designer
Donald Edmund Thomas

Costumer
Melanie Clark

Wig/Makeup Designer
Monica Cook

ABOUT OPERA VIVENTE
Founded in 1994, Opera Vivente is dedicated to bringing new audiences to opera with its innovative production style, intimate performing space, and commitment to opera in English. Opera Vivente is distinguished from other Baltimore-area professional opera companies because of its commitment to presenting fully produced operas-with orchestra, sets, lights, costumes and acting.

Don’t miss BCO’s exciting evening of operatic arias, ensembles and choruses

Michael Blair — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:23:27 +0000

Operatic Opportunities in Baltimore this December

Michael Blair — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:50:40 +0000

As we welcome the last month of 2010, I wanted to let you know about the many operatic activities coming up in December.

Starting off with some positive news, Baltimore Concert Opera has sold out their performance of La Bohème this coming Friday evening. There are a handful of tickets available for Sunday’s matinée. If you would like to go, I recommend purchasing your tickets today at www.BaltimoreConcertOpera.com.

Also on tap for this Sunday, reknowned soprano Barbara Quintiliani comes to town to headline Annapolis Opera’s Gifts from Grand Opera. BaltimoreOpera.com subscribers get a 10% discount by entering promo code BOCB2 at checkout. If you’re closer to Towson on Sunday, you’ll want to check out the FREE performance of Saint Nicolas of Benjamin Britten performed at St. Pius X church in Rodgers Forge, featuring the John’s Hopkins Choral Society and The New Handel Children’s Choir.

Exciting news came today as The Baltimore Sun’s Tim Smith reported that soprano Elizabeth Futral will donate a performance at the Lyric on December 12th. The event is FREE and open to the public, but reservations are required. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. the performance starting at 7 p.m. (a champagne reception will follow). Ms. Futral will be accompanied by pianist Jimmy Harp. To make your free reservations, call 410-900-1163.

Don’t forget that opera is performed in places large and small. Germano’s Cabaret is hosting three operatic performances this month (starting tomorrow night) while Sotto Sopra continues their tradition of Opera Night in their Mount Vernon restaurant. Opera Vivente’s Happy Holidaze happens on December 17th. There’s too many events to list, so please visit the Opera Events Calendar on BaltimoreOpera.com for everything opera in Baltimore.

Is Opera Rebounding in Baltimore?

Michael Blair — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:11:38 +0000

Well, Tim Smith is making his case that it is in The Sun this past Saturday. This is recommended reading for all those invested and interested in opera in Baltimore. Read and let me know what YOU think.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-opera-boom-20101023,0,1313050.story

Also, this was a banner weekend for opera lovers in the area. If you attended Opera Vivente’s Lucy of Lammermoor, Annapolis Opera’s Concert of Stars, Baltimore Opera Theatre’s Madama Butterfly or even Washington Concert Opera’s Adriana Lecouvreur, please comment on this blog post with your thoughts.

Annapolis Opera to Present “Concert of Stars”

Michael Blair — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:51:30 +0000

This ‘star power’ concert features Annapolis’ own favorite opera star, the Met’s Jason Stearns with return appearances by acclaimed Annapolis Opera favorites Jonathan Burton and Colleen Daly in a showcase of Italian arias, duets, and ensembles. With Maestro Ron Gretz conducting.

BaltimoreOpera.com subscribers receive a 10% discount. After choosing your seat(s), make sure to click “Apply Discount”, enter code BOCB1, and click “Unlock” to redeem your 10% discount.

Annapolis restaurant The Wild Orchid is offering a pre-performance “Fast Fixe” from 5-7pm. For $26, you get three of the following:

Cocktail or Glass of Wine
Starter
Entrée
Dessert

Reservations can be made online at www.thewildorchidcafe.com or 410.268.8009.
The Wild Orchid is located at 200 Westgate Circle with free parking and an easy walk to Maryland Hall.

Blog Reviews of BCO’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia

Michael Blair — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 01:57:28 +0000

I hope you were one of the many who caught BCO’s opening performance to their 2010-2011 season. Two of the patrons of Friday night’s performance have written reviews, which can be found here on their very informative blogs.

Baltimore Opera Examiner:
Baltimore Concert Opera’s ‘Barber’ begins season with a bang (part 1)

Felis Pushkini:
Baltimore Concert Opera’s Barber of Seville: Sets and Costumes Not Missed!

A Welcome Site

Michael Blair — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:58:03 +0000

I was traveling downtown from my office in Timonium to The Engineers Club this afternoon to deliver the supertitle system for Baltimore Concert Opera’s performances Il Barbiere di Siviglia this weekend. Imagine my delight in seeing the scene shown above…lots of work being done on the rear side of The Lyric Opera House. Looks like they may already be starting to build the catwalk that will allow performers to go from stage right to stage left without traveling down (and up) a flight of stairs to do so. As the opera season in Baltimore opens this weekend with BCO’s Barber, this is indeed a very welcome site!