This week the Pittsburgh Opera will open its season with “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” featuring a cast of rising stars making company debuts.

Among them is Lunga Eric Hallam, who will make his debut with the Pittsburgh Opera. The tenor from Cape Town will take on the role of the Count of Almaviva, making his role debut. This will mark his second major Rossini role.

Over the years Hallam has been a Young Artist at Cape Town Opera where he performed Tebaldo in “I Capuleti e i Montecchi,” Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” and Roberto in “Maria Stuarda.” He competed as a semifinalist in the 2019 Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition and the 2019 Voice of South Africa International Singing Competition. Additionally, he was a graduate of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and recently received raves at the Wolf Trap Opera.

For those not in Pittsburgh the tenor is set to make his debut at the Houston Grand Opera as well as the Sao Paolo Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic later this season.

Recordings 

For those interested in learning more about the rising star, he are two clips of Hallam performing Italian songs.