Baltimore Concert Opera & OperaDelaware’s ‘The Barber of Seville’
By Afton WootenBaltimore Concert Opera (BCO) and OperaDelaware (OD) will join forces for a co-production of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville.”
In sum, there will be four performances with the first two on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and 20 at 3 p.m. in Townson University’s Stephens Hall in Maryland. The final performances will take place on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. and 27 at 2 p.m. at The Grand in Willington, DE.
The title role will be performed by baritone Brian James Myer. Rosina is played by mezzo-soprano Mary Beth Nelson, tenor Christopher Bozeka will sing the role of Count Almaviva, baritone Tim Mix performs Dr. Bartolo, Basilio is played bass-baritone Kevin Short, soprano Julia Laird will sing Berta, and baritone Zachary Bryant sings Fiorello.
At both venues, OD’s Music Director Anthony Barrese conducts the OperaDelaware Orchestra. Papermoon Opera Productions will provide the costumes and scenic designs.
Baltimore Concert Opera and OperaDelaware frequently collaborate, but “The Barber of Seville” will be the duo’s first co-produced full-scale opera. This also is BCO’s first fully staged production with an orchestra since 2009 and OD’s first in-person granda opera since 2020.
“Though the idea of a co-production has been brewing for quite some time, the timing of this first effort could not be better. Together, we enjoy the financial and human resources from two companies, the ability to engage artists for a longer period, and the efficiencies that come from shared fixed costs. This mutually beneficial arrangement has afforded OD a smoother re-entry into presenting grand opera to our patrons,” OD’s General Director Brendan Cooke said in an official statement.
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