Lyric Opera Baltimore
Lyric Opera Baltimore is an American opera company based in Baltimore, Maryland. The group performed its inaugural season in 2011, bringing opera back to the Lyric Opera House after the 2009 bankruptcy filing of the now-defunct Baltimore Opera Company. The company has become known for its espousal of American singers and its commitment to education and outreach.
Lyric Opera Baltimore performs in Baltimore's historic Lyric Opera House, now called the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric. James Harp, formerly the Artistic Administrator of the Baltimore Opera Company, was named the Artistic Director of Lyric Opera Baltimore and is credited with being the prime force in the regeneration of opera in Baltimore.
Another company, Baltimore Opera Theatre, had already resurrected opera in the city shortly after the bankruptcy, albeit at a venue closer to the city's business district, but this company is no longer producing operas. A number of smaller companies have also produced operas in Baltimore, on various scales. [1]
The first season (2011–12) consisted of La traviata (with Elizabeth Futral and Eric Margiore), Le nozze di Figaro (directed by Bernard Uzan), and Faust (starring Stefania Dovhan and Bryan Hymel). In partnership with the Peabody Institute, Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress was also staged.
It was announced in early 2012 that Lyric Opera Baltimore would plan to stage three operas in its second season, including one in partnership with the nearby Peabody Institute. [2]
The 2012-13 season featured La bohème (with Anna Samuil and Georgy Vasiliev), Don Giovanni (in conjunction with the Peabody Institute), and Rigoletto (starring Stephen Powell and Bryan Hymel). A "Bravissimo Bel Canto" concert was presented in April 2013 which featured noted soloists including Alek Shrader and Daniela Mack.
In addition to the Peabody team-up, the newer version of the opera company has become more partnership-oriented in the pit as well. While the old Baltimore Opera Company always played with its own ensemble, some performances of the new company have feature the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in the pit. (Other performances have used the Concert Artists of Baltimore orchestra, many members of which had previous BOC pit experience.)
The 2013-2014 season consisted of Tosca (starring Jill Gardner and Raymond Aceto, with stage direction by Artistic Director James Harp), The Dialogues of the Carmelites (in conjunction with the Peabody Institute), an evening of French Grand Opera (starring Nicole Cabell and Stephen Costello), and Nabucco (with Michael Chioldi and Francesca Mondanaro).
One grand opera was produced in the 2014-15 season as part of the Lyric Opera House's 120th anniversary season. "Madama Butterfly" was presented in November with Asako Tamura, Chad Shelton, Mika Shegamatsu, and Timothy Mix. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Steven White and James Harp was Stage Director. The Peabody Opera was produced in March and was "The Abduction from the Seraglio".
The 2015-16 season has been announced: A musical preview in October; A Peabody production of "Street Scene" in November; "Il Barbiere di Siviglia in March; Romeo et Juliette in May.
References
- ↑ Tim Smith (23 October 2010). "Baltimore Opera | Opera rebounds in Baltimore". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ↑ Tim Smith, "Clef Notes and Drama Queens: Lyric Opera Baltimore cuts back for second season", The Baltimore Sun, 20 April 2012, on weblogs.baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 12 December 2013.