2018/19 Season

The Barber of Seville

Music by Gioacchino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini
Sung in Italian with English surtitles

Sparkling and savvy, Rosina is determined to marry the man she loves—but how will she escape the clutches of her horrid guardian? With the help of Figaro, the cunning barber extraordinaire, of course! Schemes and delight abound as one of the greatest, wittiest, and zaniest operas returns to Boston in an enchanting new production directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Creative Team

Conductor David Angus
Sponsored by Linda Cabot Black
Stage Director Rosetta Cucchi
Sponsored by Dr. Robert Walsh & Lydia Kenton Walsh
Set Designer Julia Noulin-Mérat
Costume Designer Gianluca Falaschi*
Lighting Designer D.M. Wood
Wig and Makeup Designer Jason Allen
Surtitle Designer Kelley Rourke
Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra Annie Rabbat Concertmaster
Boston Lyric Opera Chorus Brett Hodgdon‡ Chorus Master
Rehearsal Coach/Accompanist Brett Hodgdon‡
Assistant Stage Director Melanie Bacaling†
Stage Manager Erin Joy Swank*

*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
† Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist
‡ Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist Alumnus
**Principal Artist-In-Residence

“It skimps on neither singing nor slapstick nor staircase chases… Come prepared to laugh”
-The Boston Globe

“If the buzz and laughter of the sold-out house on Friday night was any indication, this opera buffa has at least another couple of centuries of life in it.”
-The Boston Musical Intelligencer

“This is a great introduction to the legitimate world of opera for those who have toyed with the idea, as it is truly accessible for all.”
-Theater Mirror

“See this BARBER for the lovely voices and the ingenious flourishes, both vocal and dramatic.”
-Boston Arts Review

“The best demonstration of Italian opera I have seen in a long time.”
-Schmopera

“Making her company debut, Mack’s Rosina was a compelling, noble force of nature. Her tone was supple and technical command excellent”
-Boston Classical Review

“Hilarious! A total entertainment gem!”
-Boston and Beyond

“Witty, cheerful and graceful!”
– Krugozor Magazine

CAST in order of appearance

Fiorello Vincent Turregano‡
Count Almaviva Jesus Garcia
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Puzo
Figaro Matthew Worth
Sponsored by Gerard & Sherryl Cohen
Rosina Daniela Mack*
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. E. Lee Perry
Dr. Bartolo Steven Condy
Berta Michelle Trainor‡
Don Basilio David Crawford
An Officer Jesse Darden‡**
Sponsored by Katie & Paul Buttenwieser

Daniela Mack as Rosina, whom Bartolo keeps hidden away from other temptations in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

(l.r.) Steven Condy, as Bartolo, listens to David Crawford as Basilio, who concocts a scheme to discredit one of Rosina’s other suitors in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Daniela Mack as Rosina plots to get away from her cloistered life in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Jesus Garcia, as Count Almaviva, serenades outside Rosina’s perch in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Matthew Worth, as Figaro the barber, makes his entrance in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Matthew Worth as Figaro the Barber in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

– (l.r.) Daniela Mack as Rosina and Jesus Garcia as Count Almaviva express their love in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Michelle Trainor, as Berta, the governess in Bartolo’s home, finishes her lament on loneliness with a smile, surrounded by in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

– (l.r.) Steven Condy as Bartolo, Matthew Worth as Figaro, and Jesus Gonzalez as Almavivain Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

(l.r.) Jesus Garcia as Almaviva, accompanied by Matthew Worth as Figaro, serenades outside Rosina’s perch in Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

The cast of Boston Lyric Opera’s new production of THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Schoenberg in Hollywood

An Opera by Tod Machover
Music by Tod Machover
Libretto by Simon Robson
Based on a Scenario by Braham Murray
Commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera

The brilliant composer Arnold Schoenberg fled the darkness and despair of Hitler’s Europe and found himself in 1930s Hollywood—a bold, new world of golden sunshine and camera-ready beauty. Can he find a way to reconcile reflection with action, and tradition with revolution? What is the meaning of art in the wake of atrocity?

In this World Premiere from BLO’s New Works Initiative, internationally acclaimed composer Tod Machover, based in Boston, along with librettist Simon Robson, explores a great artist’s personal struggle, finding humor, heroism, and—ultimately—hope.
Arnold Schoenberg’s remarkable life intersected with some of the most traumatic and violent human atrocities of the 20th century—born a Jew in Vienna, he converted to the Lutheran faith as a young adult, served in World War I, faced the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, and re-converted to Judaism just before he and his family fled to the United States as refugees.

Schoenberg in Hollywood dramatizes many of these moments in his life, as the character of Schoenberg strives to find artistic meaning in the wake of brutality and personal loss—an aspiration that all of us, as artists and audience members, share.

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor David Angus
Stage Director Karole Armitage*
Original Production Concept Braham Murray (1943-2018)
Set Designer Simon Higlett*
Costume Designer Nancy Leary
Lighting Designer Pablo Santiago
Media & Projection Designer Peter Torpey*
Sound Designer Ben Bloomberg*
Surtitle Designer Satrina Massey
Wig and Makeup Designer Jason Allen
Chamber Ensemble from The Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra Annie Rabbat Concertmaster
Rehearsal Coach/Accompanist
Brett Hodgdon‡
Nathan Salazar†*
Assistant Stage Director Kirsten Z. Cairns
Stage Manager Mike Janney*

*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
† Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist
‡ Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist Alumnus
**Principal Artist-in-Residence

“ingeniously original music”
– The Wall Street Journal

Intriguing… [an] exploration and parody of Tinseltown genre conventions, bolstered by oodles of film clips and projections”
-The Boston Globe

“…some of the most arresting music heard in a BLO premiere in recent seasons”
– Boston Classical Review

“[A] groundbreaking new multimedia opera… brilliantly depicts Arnold Schoenberg’s life”
– Boston Musical Intelligencer

“[A] brilliant score…”
– Boston Musical Intelligencer

“Technologically advanced…stunning…and quite clever.”
– Boston and Beyond

“A universally superb production! Brilliant… elaborate and clever…the musical score shines!”
– Berkshire Fine Arts

“Machover’s score is generally quite excellent: incredibly rich and full of character.”
– Schmopera

“Arguably the finest creative team ever assembled on a Boston stage!”
– South Shore Critic

CAST in order of vocal appearance

A Boy Jesse Darden‡**
Sponsored by Katie & Paul Buttenwieser
A Girl Sara Womble‡
Sponsored by Mimi Hewlett
Schoenberg Omar Ebrahim*
Sponsored by Willa & Taylor Bodman

Irving Thalberg (Jesse Darden, c.) proclaims to Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim, l.) his confidence in the new artform of film in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

In the style of a cowboy western film, Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim, r.) and his second wife Gertrud Kolisch (Sarah Womble, l.) trek across the country to their ultimate destination of Los Angeles in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

As Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim, r.) looks on during a music lesson, his music students (l.-r. Sarah Womble and Jesse Darden) break into a fanciful dance in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

Framed by a self-portrait painting, Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim, c.) recalls a romantic moment from his past, reenacted by Jesse Darden (l.) and Sarah Womble (r.) in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

(l.-r.) Sarah Womble, Omar Ebrahim (as Arnold Schoenberg) and Jesse Darden reflect on the composer’s life in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

In the style of a “Follies Revue” film, Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim, r.) and two of his acolytes (Jesse Darden, l. and Sarah Womble, c.) make the best of a critical drubbing of Schoenberg’s music in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

In the style of a Marx Brothers film, a Groucho Marx-esque Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim, r.) confronts anti-Semitic discrimination from Harpo- and Chico-like characters (Sarah Womble, l. and Jesse Darden, c.) in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

– In a fantasy sequence, Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim) conducts music as if it were a finale to a film of his life, in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

(l.-r.) Sarah Womble, Omar Ebrahim and Jesse Darden in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

In the style of a film noir, Arnold Schoenberg (Omar Ebrahim) recounts the story of his wife Mathilde’s affair in Boston Lyric Opera’s World Premiere SCHOENBERG IN HOLLYWOOD by composer Tod Machover and librettist Simon Robson.

THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA

Music by Benjamin Britten
Libretto by Ronald Duncan
After the play by André Obey
A New BLO Production
Sung in English with English surtitles

A devastating act of violence, and one woman’s decision to speak the truth—the story of Lucretia ignited a nation and has entranced artists like Shakespeare, Botticelli and more for centuries. Through Britten’s searing and intimate score, experience a legend of lust, power, and politics that resonates powerfully from ancient times to ours.

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor David Angus
Sponsored by Linda Cabot Black
Stage Director Sarna Lapine*
Sponsored by Maria Krokidas & Bruce Bullen
Set Designer Mikiko Suzuki Macadams*
Costume Designer Robert Perdziola*
Lighting & Projection Designer Joey Moro*
Dramaturg John Conklin
Intimacy/Movement Director Yury Yanowsky
Wig and Makeup Designer Jason Allen
Surtitle Designer Satrina Massey

Chamber Ensemble From The Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra Annie Rabbat Concertmaster
Rehearsal Coach/Accompanist Brendon Shapiro†
Sponsored by Susan A. Babson Opera Fund for Emerging Artists
Assistant Stage Director Kirsten Z. Cairns
Assistant Stage Director & Company Intimacy Advocate Melanie Bacaling†
Stage Manager Whitney Mcanally*

*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
† Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist
‡ Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist Alumnus
**Principal Artist-in-Residence

Many treatments of the legend have us looking at Lucretia. In this production, she answers back.
– Jeffrey Gantz, Boston Globe

Gripping, expressive and powerful! A vivid and economical new production.
– Aaron Keebaugh, Boston Classical Review

A triumph for BLO
– Jack Craib, South Shore Critic

An absolute treasure of a production…as intelligent and timely as it is dramatic and riveting.
– Arturo Fernandez, Schmopera

CAST in order of vocal appearance

Male Chorus Jesse Darden‡**
Sponsored by Gerard & Sherryl Cohen
Female Chorus Antonia Tamer‡
Sponsored by William & Helen Pounds
Collatinus Brandon Cedel
Junius David Mcferrin‡
Tarquinius Duncan Rock
Sponsored by Wayne Davis & Ann Merrifield
Lucretia Kelley O’connor
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. E. Lee Perry
Bianca Margaret Lattimore
Sponsored by Susan W. Jacobs
Lucia Sara Womble‡

Junius (David McFerrin) and his soldier comrades spend an evening on the battlefield drinking wine and absorbing news of their wives’ infidelity back home in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

Facing harassment from Tarqunius (Duncan Rock, rear) about his faithful wife, Collatinus (Brandon Cedel, fore) sings of love, war and fidelity in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor) spins wool while thinking of her husband Collatinus, who is away at war against the Estrucans in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

While men of Rome are off at war, Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor, center) her nurse Bianca (Margaret Lattimore, r.), and the Female Chorus (Antonia Tamer, above) sing of the duties and the emotions of the women left behind in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

Nurse Bianca (Margaret Lattimore, r.) consoles Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor) who pines for her husband Collatinus in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter

When he arrives at her home under the pretense of needing shelter, Tarquinius (Duncan Rock) greets Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor, l.) while her maid Lucia (Sarah Womble, r.) is suspicious of his motive in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

After greeting Tarquinius and granting him shelter, Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor) sleeps while the Female Chorus and Male Chorus (Antonia Tamer and Jesse Darden) foretell her fate in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

Tarquinius (Duncan Rock) insists that Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor) submit to him, and threatens her if she doesn’t in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

The morning after Tarquinius has violated her, Lucretia (Kelley O’Connor, kneeling) comes into the garden dazed, angry and confused and her nurse Bianca (Margaret Lattimore, l.) struggles to understand what has happened in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

Collatinus (Brandon Cedel) returns home at Lucretia’s request, only to witness her commit suicide in shame for her violation in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Rape of Lucretia” March 11-17 at Artists for Humanity EpiCenter.

THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Music by Poul Ruders
Libretto by Paul Bentley
Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood
Sung in English with English surtitles

Bear witness to the story of Offred: one woman of many stripped of her name, identity, and personhood by a cruel and oppressive government regime. Offred desperately preserves her story, a simple act of defiance and resistance as dangerous as it is riveting. Margaret Atwood’s extraordinary, important novel—set in Boston and Cambridge—becomes one of BLO’s largest-ever productions, directed by theater icon Anne Bogart with a hypnotic, evocative score that bends the tenets of traditional opera and leaves audiences breathless.

First performances of a new edition by composer Poul Ruders, commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor David Angus
Stage Director Anne Bogart*
Movement Director Shura Baryshnikov*
Set & Costume Designer James Schuette
Lighting Designer Brian Scott*
Sound Designer J Jumbelic
Video Designer Adam J. Thompson*
Wig & Makeup Designer Tom Watson
Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra Annie Rabbat Concertmaster
Boston Lyric Opera Chorus Brett Hodgdon‡ Chorus Master
Rehearsal Coach/Accompanist Nathan Salazar†
Assistant Stage Director Mikhaela Mahony*
Stage Manager Cynthia Hennon Marino

*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
† Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist
‡ Boston Lyric Opera Jane and Steven Akin
Emerging Artist Alumnus
**Principal Artist-in-Residence

CAST in order of vocal appearance

Offred Jennifer Johnson Cano
Sponsored by Ms. Roann Costin
Aunt Lydia Caroline Worra
Sponsored by Abigail B. Mason
Janine – Ofwarren Kathryn Skemp Moran
Moira Chelsea Basler‡
Sponsored by Miguel and Suki De Bragança
Serena Joy Maria Zifchak*
Sponsored by Alicia Cooney & Stephen Quigley
Tv Presenter James Ricardo Milord*
The Double (Offred in the Time Before) Felicia Gavilanes‡
Sponsored by Wendy Shattuck & Sam Plimpton
Luke Jesse Darden‡**
Sponsored by Gerard & Sherryl Cohen
Rita Lynn Torgove
Ofglen Michelle Trainor‡
Sponsored by Janet & Irv Plotkin
Offred’s Mother Dana Beth Miller
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Timothy & Jessica Donohue
The Doctor Matthew Dibattista
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. E. Lee Perry
Nick Omar Najmi‡
Sponsored by Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Anita Loscalzo
The Commander David Cushing‡
Sponsored by Allison K. Ryder & David B. Jones
New Ofglen Vera Savage‡
Offred & Luke’s Daughter
Samanta Williston*
Beatrice Eddy*
Handmaids, Aunts, Guards, Etc.
Chelsea Baccay
Jessica Johnson Brock†
Sponsored by Mr. Edward J. Leary
Jorgeandrés Camargo
Fred Furnari
Heather Gallagher‡
Kirsten Hart
Taylor Horner
Jaime Korkos
Chris Maher
Michael Miller
Brianna J. Robinson†
Vanessa Schukis
Emma Sorenson‡

“Powerful…Stunning… An ambitious, immersive staging by Anne Bogart and a fantastic cast and chorus.”
– The Boston Globe

“Unquestionably the finest, most creative and unforgettable production in BLO’s storied history.”
– South Shore Critic

“BLO’s ingenious, immersive staging… ensures that the audience cannot escape its message.”
– Wall Street Journal

“This is a triumph for the Boston company.”
– The New York Times

“A powerful gut punch of a production.”
– Schmopera

“An effective, strong opera, exceptionally well presented…Striking and moving”
– Boston Musical Intelligencer

Offred (Jennifer Johnson Cano) sees her room for the first time in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

Aunt Lydia (Caroline Worra) leads the handmaids through their prayers in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

Moira (Chelsea Basler) tells Offred (Jennifer Johnson Cano) about her plans to escape the Handmaid life in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12

Ofglen (Michell Trainor) and Offed (Jennifer Johnson Cano) try not to seem suspicious on their daily walk in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

Offred (Jennifer Johnson Cano) despairs over the fate of her daughter in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

Aunt Lydia (Caroline prepares the handmaidens for a birthing ritual in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

As an Aunt (Jessica Johnson Brock) looks on, Ofwarren (Kathryn Skemp Moran) prepares for childbirth in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

In the Commander’s office (David Cushing), Offred (Jennifer Johnson Cano) reads aloud from a beauty magazine published in the Time Before in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.

Offred (Jennifer Johnson Cano) considers an offer from Serena Joy (Maria Zifchak) in Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” running through May 12. BLO.org.