“FLO’s creative team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make these productions possible. The designs we are seeing for The Barber of Seville set are incredible,” FLO Executive Director Elizabeth Long announced and went on to say, “FLO’s Stage Director Stephanie Havey, is going for a street fair atmosphere - a playful, theatrical playground full of surprises. To enhance the patron experience, FLO will have vendors onsite.” Casa Larga will be selling wine and beer; Kristy’s Kettle Corn will sell popcorn and lemonade; and Rita’s Italian Ice will offer a selection of delicious cold treats.
Opera HITS!: July 31, 7:30 PM - Accompanied by the FLO orchestra, the 2021 Tomita Young Artists will perform popular arias such as the Flower Duet from Lakmé and Broadway showtunes from Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods, Carousel, and more. Ticket pods are limited and begin at $40 (for a 2 pod). In case of rain, this performance will be moved to Asbury First United Methodist Church.
The Barber of Seville: August 6 and 7, 7:30 PM - Considered the greatest comic opera of all time, this story centers around Count Almaviva's uproarious antics in pursuit of the beautiful Rosina. Figaro, who guides the Count's efforts, initiates a series of merry mix-ups and delicious double-crossings to ensure that true love triumphs after all. Tickets are limited and begin at $70 (for a 2 pod). Rain dates are August 9 and 10. Tickets for Opera HITS! and The Barber of Seville, both to be held at Center Stage Amphitheater, will be sold through the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO).
Tickets primarily will be sold in pods of two and four with three different price sections. For the middle and rear sections, patrons will need to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. For the front premium seating, FLO will provide cushioned chairs. FLO will require all patrons to either show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to enter the pavilion. To avoid intermissions, all programs have been shortened. For more information on the Covid-19 protocols and to purchase tickets online, visit fingerlakesopera.org. If patrons have questions or special seating requests, please contact the RPO directly at patronservices@rpo.org or 585-454-2100. Student and group discounts are also available by calling the RPO (M-F: 10 am - 5 pm)
.About The Barber of Seville cast - Starring in the role of Figaro is baritone Jonathan Michie, who last appeared with FLO in the company’s 2018 production of Die Fledermaus and most recently sang the role of Figaro with the Israeli Opera. Singing the role of Count Almaviva is tenor Carlos Enrique Santelli, who is a resident artist with Opera San Jose and was a winner of the 2018 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven, who has appeared with the LA Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago, will make her FLO debut as Rosina. Bartolo will be sung by baritone Joseph Barron, who has made countless appearances with the Metropolitan Opera, as well as with Opera Hong Kong, Opera Philadelphia, the Glimmerglass Festival and more. Rounding out the cast will be 2021 Tomita Young Artists soprano Robin Steitz singing the role of Berta and baritone Jongwon Choi singing the role of Basilio. About the 2021 Tomita Young Artists - Supported by a generous anonymous donation, FLO is immensely proud of the Tomita Young Artist program, in which performers have the opportunity to participate in summer and fall residencies, work alongside and learn from the seasoned FLO professionals, and perform in FLO’s mainstage productions. After receiving almost 400 applications, the nine singers and two collaborative pianists selected truly are an exceptional group of performers. In addition to Steitz and Choi mentioned above, this year’s class includes mezzo-sopranos Veena Akama-Makia and Imara Miles, soprano Danielle Beckvermit, tenors Nathaniel Catasca and David Soto Zambrana, baritones John Allen Nelson and Robert H. Riordan, and collaborative pianists Edward Forstman and Natasha Talukdar Elam. Akama-Makia, Catasca, Steitz, and Forstman are graduates of the Eastman School of Music, and Beckvermit is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia.
