Rita Wilkes, Frank McClain, Bobbie Demme-San Filippo on the set of "The Medium"
As The Medium makes its debut next Sunday, Florida Opera Theatre, will bring the second opera production of 2011, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, to stage for four performances to opera fans in three Central Florida cities on dates from January 15-29, 2012.
This is big news for Orlando which was opera company poor for several years. The revival was supported by opera fans who don’t want to leave the area for a good performance in a city known for its grand productions and celebrated stars at shows on the outskirts of Lake Buena Vista.
Vero Beach Opera, First Coast Opera, and Florida Opera Theatre collaborate to bring The Barber of Seville to Vero Beach, St. Augustine and Orlando stages with a star-laden cast for a favorite opera production.
The Orlando performance of The Barber of Seville will be held at 2 p.m. on January 29, 2012, at Valencia College East Performing Arts Center.
Susan Neves in "The Medium" and "The Barber of Seville"East Campus Performing Arts Center.
Luigi Boccia as Count Almaviva
“We’re pleased to be able to bring the dreams of opera fans to fruition,” said Florida Opera Theatre president Judy Lee. “Florida Opera Theatre is producing opera in Orlando and our second production will be as beautiful–if not more so–than the first.”
Renowned tenor Luigi Boccia stars as Count Almaviva. Boccia was described in “The Metropolitan Opera News” as “an uncommonly cerebral tenor.” He is a versatile recitalist whose range spans florid Handel arias to the romantic outpourings of Italian and Neapolitan song.
International opera star Susan Neves returns to Florida Opera Theatre for a second role following her portrayal of Madame Flora in The Medium. She is joined by a veteran of both The Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Opera, David Salsberry Fry who plays Basilio.
Orlando favorite and Director of the University of Central Florida Opera Program, Thomas Potter performs Bartolo. Rounding out this very talented cast are accomplished singing actors Kenneth Mattice and Candice Hoyes who portray Figaro and Rosina with comic mastery.
Frank McClain, Rudy Cleare and Florida Opera Theatre president Judy Lee
The Barber of Seville is directed by Florida Opera Theatre Artistic Director Frank McClain and Chorus Master and Music Director Robin Stamper who bring the operatic performances together.
McClain’s opera directing credits include The Medium for Florida Opera Theatre; the Orlando Philharmonic production of La Bohème; The Merry Widow for Opera Tampa; Don Pasquale for Vero Beach Opera; and for Orlando Opera: Il Trovatore, L’Elisir d’Emore, Candide, Le Nozze di Figaro.
Florida Opera Theatre is a Central Florida professional opera company dedicated to producing quality opera performances. The organization is comprised of directors, musicians, performers and individuals who have supported opera growth, education and outreach in communities throughout the state for many years.
Tickets are available for this limited seating venue online at www.FLOperaTheatre.org or by calling 407-718-4365. Calls will be returned between 5-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and in a timely manner as received.
Opera lovers support Florida Opera Theatre
Orlando Performance:
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville 2 p.m., Sunday, January 29, 2012
Florida Opera Theatre in collaboration with St. Augustine and Vero Beach Opera
Presented at Valencia College East Campus
Performing Arts Center
701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, FL 32825
The Cast:
- Count Almaviva Luigi Boccia
- Bartolo Thomas Potter
- Rosina Candice Hoyes
- Figaro Kenneth Mattice
- Basilio David Salsbury Fry
- Fiorello/Coro (chorus) Ken Keel
- Ambrosias Eric Pinder
- Bertha Susan Neves
- Officer/Coro James Guild
- Director Frank McClain
- Costume, Set, Makeup Design Bobbie Demme-San Filippo
- Stage Manager Johnny Motoc
- Conductor, Principal Coach, Chorus Master Robin Stamper
Rossini’s debut performance of The Barber of Seville at the Teatro Argentina was in Rome in 1816. The Barber of Seville was one of the earliest Italian operas to be performed in America and premiered at the Park Theater in New York City in 1825. Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is a two-act comic opera founded upon the text Le Barbier de Séville by Pierre Beaumarchais.
Rossini’s most popular and recognizable music in this opera are Figaro’s celebrated baritone arias “Largo al factotum,” Rosina’s soprano aria “Una voce poco fa,” and the singing duet they have together “Dunque io son.”
The next opera production supported by Florida Opera Theatre will be Verdi’s Rigoletto at 8 p.m., Friday, March 2, 2012; and at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 4, 2012, presented by The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and produced in collaboration with Florida Opera Theatre At The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at: http://OrlandoPhil.org/Rigoletto/.
Further information is available at www.FLOperaTheatre.org
