of The Palmetto Opera's upcoming production of Great Moments in Italian Opera! Artists biographies and headshots can be viewed here.
Great Moments in Italian Opera, a concert with orchestra, will be at the Koger Center for the Arts for one performance only on Sunday, June 5, 2022 for a special 3:00 pm matinée.
Tickets are on sale at the Koger Center Box Office 803-251-2222.
Great Moments in Italian Opera from Bel Canto to Verismo is an extravaganza of fun, best-loved Italian operas, laughter, and an elegant after-performance party to meet the cast. The concert features international and local soloists singing some of the most famous and well-known operatic arias, duets, and quartets with orchestra from Puccini's La Bohème, Verdi's La Traviata, Rossini's The Barber of Seville and more. Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Peter Barton, Artistic Director of The Palmetto Opera.
Tickets are available at the
Koger Center Box Office 803-251-2222.
There is an additional $2 Koger Center restoration fee
for each ticket purchase.
Individual Tickets:
Premium Orchestra-$55
Side Orchestra-$50
Accessible-$45
Seniors-$5 off
MEET THE ARTISTS OF GREAT MOMENTS IN ITALIAN OPERA
FABIÁN ROBLES
TENOR
Tenor Fabián Robles has been hailed by critics as having "a voice of uncommon liquidity and resonance, with a sure way with coloratura" (The Financial Times, London) and described as having a "top range with ring and flexibility… with real squillo in his tone, spinning a belcanto line elegantly" (South Florida Classical Review), tenor Fabian Robles is quickly establishing himself in the belcanto and lyric tenor repertoire. Fabian started 2021 with a series of concerts in his native Puerto Rico that included a varied repertoire ranging from opera, zarzuela, musicals and romantic popular standards. He was then part of the cast in the zarzuela LOS GAVILANE for Culturarte de Puerto Rico alongside Internationally-acclaimed soprano Ana Maria Martínez and concluded the year with a series of concerts honoring Latin-superstar singer Luis Miguel with rave audiences and sold-out venues.
Year 2022 will start as the male lead in the Zarzuela/Spanish operetta LOS CLAVELES, and then continue with a series of concerts and performances of the operas RIGOLETTO & L BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA in the USA. Before the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic struck, Robles was the 2020, 1st-place winner of the Mozart Division at the Lyra International Vocal Competition. In 2019 he was part of a stellar cast that included superstar tenor Roberto Alagna, soprano Aleksandra Kurzak and baritone Roberto Frontali in Leoncavallo’s I PAGLIACCI for Culturarte Puerto Rico. Robles returned to Palmetto Opera with an Operetta Gala and reprised IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Teatro Lirico D’Europa for Opera New Hampshire, and various concerts including A TRIBUTE TO PAVAROTTI with Teatro Lirico D’Europa at the Newberry Opera House.
In previous years, Fabian returned with Teatro Lirico D’Europa to Opera New Hampshire for Alfredo in LA TRAVIATA and Miami Lyric Opera for Rossini's IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, after singing to great acclaim the tenor lead in the Spanish opera MARINA. After his debut as Rodolfo in LA BOHÈME in New York, Robles was invited to the Cairo Opera House in Egypt and many cities in the USA with Teatro Lirico D’Europa, which also included Edgardo in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR and Nemorino in L'ELISIR D'AMORE. Other debuts include LA CENERENTOLA at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival, LES PECHEURS DE PERLES and the title role in Rossini’s OTELLO at Houston’s Opera in the Heights. In his native Puerto Rico, Fabian was featured on tour with the Philharmonic Orchestra and a Gala re-opening the iconic "Teatro La Perla". A revelation in the title role of EL BARBERILLO DE LAVAPIÉS, he was also part of Ballet Concierto’s 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, singing the difficult tenor part of Orff's CARMINA BURANA, reprised later with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra in Alaska. Career highlights include a Zarzuela Gala at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, semi-finalist in PLACIDO DOMINGO’S OPERALIA 2007 in Paris and the "Francisco Viñas Competition 2008" in Barcelona.
Awards include winner of the Concerto Vocal Competition at the Aspen Music Festival, Honorary Award by the Senate and "Tenor of the Year Award" by UNESCO. A four-time Regional winner at the MET National Auditions, Robles received the "Best Male Performer" and "Audience Prize"awards. His accomplishments also extend to the recital and concert platform and have served as the voice in various TV commercials; performed the National Anthems from sports events to official Government ceremonies in the presence of important dignitaries. Mr. Robles graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with degrees in Biology, Pharmacy and Music.
MEGAN NIELSON
SOPRANO
In January 2022 Ms. Nielson performed in Teatro Lirico D’Europa’s TENORS AND DIVAS concert with orchestra and international soloists at Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach and this spring covered the title role in Puccini’s TOSCA for Anchorage Opera. She returned to the stage in winter 2021 after the pandemic - singing Mimi in Puccini’s LA BOHÈMEwith Teatro Lirico D’Europa for Palmetto Opera in Columbia, South Carolina, and debuted the role of Santuzza in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA with New Camerata Opera. She also performed highlights from FIDELIO as Leonora with the Regina Opera. In the beginning of 2020, she performed an operatic concert series for Celebrity Cruise Lines out of Miami, Florida.
In January of 2019, Ms. Nielson performed Salome’s Final scene from Strauss’ opera in recital at Juilliard with pianist Dror Baitel, the scene was prepared by Lydia Brown and Diane Richardson, and February she sang the role of Congress woman Grace Hennesy, in CRUDE CAPITAL, a new opera by Michael Lanci, with Beth Morrison Projects’ Next Generation, at National Sawdust, and in March performed with Opera Theater of Connecticut on their STAR CROSSED LOVERS IN OPERA concert at the Sanibel Music Festival as well as make her Carnegie Hall Debut singing the soprano Soloist in the Faure Requiem with MidAmerica Productions. In fall of 2018, she was chosen to participate in New York Singing Teachers Association Jennifer Rowley’s master class, and performed a solo recital, THE AIRS REMAIN at the University of Houston and Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, NY with pianist Jessica Myers and directed by Ellen Jackson. The program included Strauss’s FOUR LAST SONGS, and works by Chaminade, Laitman, Resphighi and Cesti, she was also resident artist with the Orchard Project in Saratoga Springs, NY.
In summer of 2018 she returned to Miami to perform Elsa in LOHENGRIN, fully staged with orchestra at the Symphony Center. While in residence, she worked with director Antoine Wagner (Wagner’s great-great grandson), Robert Morrison, Linda Watson, and Alan Held. South Florida Classical Review said of her performance, “As Elsa, the soprano Megan Nielson sang with tones steely... with deep emotion and impassioned tones.” In the summer of 2017, Ms. Nielson was first chosen to participate in the Miami Wagner Institute, working with Brad Moore, Peter Grunberg, Alan Held, and Christine Brewer and performed the 3rd Norn in GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG’s at the Adrienne Arsht Center. In 2017 she sang Elsa’s Euch Lüften from LOHENGRINin New Amsterdam Opera’s Wagner’s Concert with Keith Chambers, and performed highlights from MADAMA BUTTERFLY and EUGENE ONEGIN with full orchestra at St Jean Baptiste Church’s Gala concert in Manhattan. Voce di Meche declared her “superb in the title role” of SUOR ANGELICA and for her performance of Nedda said, “Notable was her full rich tone and affecting acting. Just watching her increasing panic as the drama progressed was a lesson in acting.”
She’s praised by Opera News for her "engaging" presence and full "bloom". Competitions include district winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Austria's Meistersinger Competition, The Orpheus Competition, winner of the University of Tennessee Concerto Competition and a Career Bridges Grantee, the Mangin Memorial Award at Shreveport Opera’s Competition in 2016, and finalist with the Jensen Foundation in 2017. She received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Kansas City - Missouri and her Master of Music in Voice and Pedagogy from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She has enjoyed residencies with young artist programs including Sarasota Opera, Knoxville Opera, Bay View Music Festival, American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, and Princeton’s CoOPERAtive.
CARLOS ALBERTO LÓPEZ
BARITONE
Mr. Lopez was born and studied in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Considered one of the best baritones of his generation, “with a beautiful legato and innate musicality”, Carlos López has performed at the most important venues in Mexico as well as in Perú, Colombia, Guatemala, USA, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, England, Germany and Spain where he has performed such roles as Figaro in BARBIERE, Sharpless in MADAMA BUTTERFLY, Tonio and Silvio in I PACGIACCI, Belcore in L’Elisir D’Amore, Papageno in MAGIC FLUTE, Alfio in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, Fermont in LA TRAVIATA, Escamillo in CARMEN, the title role of DON GIOVANNI, and Marcello in LA BOHÈME.
He has been the winner of various national competitions including: ‘CARLO MORELLI’ (Fine Arts, CDMX 2018), ‘ÓPERA PALCCO’ (Guadalajara 2017),‘ÓPERA DE SAN MIGUEL’ (San Miguel de Allende 2017), ‘FANNY ANITÚA’ (Durango 2014) and ‘SINALOA’ (Culiacán 2014) In 2015 he was one of the two Mexicans selected to participate in the famous international competition NEUE STIMMEN, in Gütersloh, Germany. In 2016 he was selected for the Young Artist Program ‘Jette Parker’ Final audition for the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE in London, UK. Winner of the award for the best foreign singer in the contest ‘Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques’ in 2017 in Montreal, Canada. In April 2018 he sang the PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE (G. Rossini) with “The Choral Society of the Hamptons”, in New York City. He has participated in Master Classes with prestigious international artists and teachers including: Sumi Jo, Nelly Miricioiu, David Gowland, Carlos Conde, Jack Livigni, Javier Camarena, Enrique Patrón de Rueda, Ramón Vargas and Francisco Araiza, and others.
He was invited to join the ESTUDIO DE ÓPERA DE BELLAS ARTES in Mexico City, under the mentorship of tenor Ramón Varags, in 2015 and 2016. He is currently a member of the Opera Studio Beckmann, belonging to the Fundación JOSÉ CUERVO, in Tequila, Jalisco where he has participated in various productions of opera, zarzuela, opera galas and concerts, including: CARMEN by Bizet (Zarzuela version, produced by maestro Polo Falcón), CARMINA BURANA by Carl Orff and LA BOHÈME by Giacomo Puccini. Recently he was invited by the Guatemalan Opera, directed by the tenor Mario Chang to interpret the role of the Marqués de Obigny in Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA in Guatemala City.
He has also performed with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, singing as the soloist in Beethoven's MISSA SOLEMNIS in Xalapa, Veracruz and with THE ONTARIO PHILARMONIC at a CHRISTMAS GALA in Oshawa, Canada. He played the role of PING in the opera TURANDOT and TONIO in the opera I PAGLIACCI in the 2018 Season of the OFJ, at the Degollado Theater, in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He is made his debut with Teatro Lirico D’Europa in winter 2022 as Figaro in Rossini’s IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA in a sold out performance at of Rossini's IL BARBIERE SIVIGLIA the popular McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA.
CARLA PORTILLO
SOPRANO
Carla Portillo is an American soprano, born in California, of Mexican heritage. She has participated in various opera and zarzuela productions and galas in Mexico and the United States. She has performed a wide range of repertoire with orchestra, including Bach’s CANTATA BWV 51 - JAUCHZET GOTT IN ALLEN LANDEN, Mozart’s REQUIEM, Verdi’s REQUIEM, Puccini’s LA BOHEME and MADAMA BUTTERFLY, and several opera and zarzuela galas. Orchestras that she has collaborated with include the Chihuahua State Philharmonic Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua, the Sinaloa Symphony Orchestra of the Arts, and with the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra.
She has worked under the baton of many well renowned conductors, such as Armando Pesqueira, Enrique Patrón de Rueda, Jacob Chi, Gordon Campbell, Miguel Salmón del Real, Raúl García Velazquez and Felipe Tristan.
In 2018 she performed the role of Nedda in the Chihuahua State Philharmonic production of Leoncavallo’s I PAGLIACCI, under the baton of maestro Armando Pesqueira. Later that year she sang Adele in the Opera de Tijuana production of DIE FLEDERMAUS, performed during the Festiva Opera en la Calle, under the musical direction of maestro Enrique Patron de Rueda and stage direction of maestro Jose Medina. In 2020 she appeared in the film production of Wolf-Ferarri’s IL SEGRETO DI SUSANNA with the Mexico Opera Studio directed by Rennier Piñero which will be released in a future date.
In 2016 she was selected to attend Opera Arte Escénica International Workshop where she performed as soloist in Palmeri’s MISSA-TANGO. From 2017 to 2019 Carla Portillo was part of the Opera Workshop of Sinaloa. And from 2019 to 2020 she worked with the Mexico Opera Studio in the city of Monterrey.
She has received master classes with distinguished teachers and coaches that include Arturo Rodríguez, Ricardo Herrera, Olivia Gorra, Eugenia Garza, Luis Ledesma, Milena Kitic, Alejandra Sandoval, Amelia Sierra, Maureen O’Flynn, Katherine Ciesinski, Claude Corbeil, Yvonne Garza, Encarnación Vázquez, Mark Salters, Angel Rodríguez, Ugo Mahieux, Vlad Iftinca, Jorge Parodi, Andres Sarre, Teresa Rodriguez and Alejandro Miyaki. and André Dos Santos. She finished her voice studies at the department of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua in 2016. She currently is studying with the distinguished voice teacher Dr. Carlos Conde.
In winter 2022 Carla made her debut with Teatro Lirico D'Europa as Gilda in performances of Verdi's RIGOLETTO
at major venues in the USA and as Rosina in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA at the popular McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, CA.
Upcoming performances include Gilda in Verdi's RIGOLETTO with Nickel City Opera in Buffalo, NY - June 2022 and as a soloist
in A CELEBRATION OF SONG with Teatro Lirico at Barbara Mann Hall, Ft. Myers, FL in Feb. 2023.
HANNAH THOMPSON
SOPRANO
Greensboro born soprano Hannah Thompson is thrilled to be joining The Palmetto Opera Company as a local artist. She has previously performed with Palmetto Opera as part of their local Opera Nights at Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant. Throughout her collegiate training, Ms. Thompson performed the roles of The Fox (The Cunning Little Vixen), Street Singer (MASS), The Sandman (Hansel und Gretel), Dorothée (Cendrillon), and Geraldine (A Hand of Bridge). She performed as Sister Genevieve (Suor Angelica) in the 2019 Varna International summer program and Clizia (Teseo) as part of the 2018 Miami Summer Music Festival. Being well-versed in musical theater, Ms. Thompson has delighted audiences as Lucy (Jekyll and Hyde), Maria (The Sound of Music)* (*canceled due to Covid-19), Mrs. Banks (Mary Poppins), and The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). Additionally, she has been a featured soloist in oratorios such as the Bach Magnificat and Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Ms. Thompson holds a Master of Music in Voice Performance from The University of South Carolina where she studied with Dr. Tina Stallard, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Belmont University where she studied with Dr. Mark Whatley. She currently studies with Dr. Peter Barton. Ms. Thompson has delved into several new theatrical works throughout the Columbia area and enjoys being a part of such a diverse theater community. When she is not performing, Hannah can be found teaching voice, perfecting her yoga poses, and spending any spare moment with friends.
MICHAEL BOLEY
TENOR
American tenor Michael Boley is rapidly climbing the operatic ranks. A native of Ohio, Michael began his career with Columbus Opera. Mr. Boley appeared there in productions of LA BOHÈME, AIDA, RIGOLETTO, TOSCA, CARMEN, DON GIOVANNI, DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE, SUSANNAH and CAMELOT. Of his Columbus Opera performances, the COLUMBUS DISPATCH extolled, “tenor Michael Boley sings with operatic power and resonance—a true find!”
An exponent of the romantic French and Italian repertoire, recent performance highlights for the tenor include the title role in LES CONTES DE HOFFMANN, Rodolfo in LA BOHÈME, Pinkerton in MADAMA BUTTERFLY, the Duke of Mantua in RIGOLETTO, Lenski in EUGENE ONEGIN and Tamino in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE. Career highlights for the tenor include BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 9 with Helena Symphony Orchestra, Calaf in TURANDOT for Dicapo Opera, the world premiere of Anton Coppola’s LA COUPE ET LES LÈVRES at the Danny Kaye Playhouse in New York City with Inter-Cities Performing Arts and THE CRUCIBLE at the National Theatre of Pécs and the Szeged National Theater in Hungary with performances telecast internationally.
With Dicapo Opera in New York City and on tour with National Lyric Opera, Mr. Boley created a significant impression in Puccini’s LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST. Reviewing his performance, the CAPE COD TIMES was effusive in praise of his craft, “Outstanding among these, was tenor Michael Boley. Mr. Boley’s firm ringing tenor and suave stage demeanor augur well for a rewarding career in opera.” Further successes include his turn as the Chevalier de Danceny in Susa’s THE DANGEROUS LIAISONS, and the Beast in Giannini’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST for Dicapo Opera, of which the NEW YORK TIMES commented, "Michael Boley sang the Beast ardently."
The 2011/2012 season included Scriabin’s SYMPHONY NO. 1 with Helena Symphony Orchestra, EUROFEST with Opera Naples and CARMEN with Denyce Graves in a critically acclaimed production for Opera Charleston. The 2012/2013 season featured the tenor as Cléon in Gluck’s rarely performed THE REFORMED DRUNKARD for Little Opera Theater of New York, Lenski in EUGENE ONEGIN for Opera Company of Middlebury and Rodolfo in LA BOHÈME with Staten Island Philharmonic among others. In the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons, Michael was a Resident Artist with Opera San Jose, where he assumed principal assignments in Verdi’s RIGOLETTO, Weiser’s WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD, Mozart’s DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE, Puccini's TOSCA, Bizet's CARMEN, and Previn's STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. In 2017, Mr. Boley returned to New York to be a part of New York City Opera’s critically acclaimed Candide directed by Hal Prince and again in the fall to sing the part of Nick while covering Dick Johnson in New York City Opera’s production of LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST. The 2018 season not only brought the tenor his Carnegie Hall soloist debut but in his portrayal of Calaf with Mississippi Opera's TURANDOT "...he (Michael Boley) brought the house down with his rendition of 'Nessun Dorma' in the third act.” (NORTHSIDE SUN/JACKSON MS) 2020 included the world premier of VINCENT TO THEO: THE LIFE OF AN ARTIST by Sue T. Klausmeyer (A song cycle with poetry taken from the letters of Vincent Van Gogh to his brother Theo).
Upcoming for Michael includes reprising the role of Hoffmann in THE TALES OF HOFFMANN by Offenbach with the Washing Opera Society at the Embassy of France in Washington D.C., among others.
GREGORY BUCHALTER (Conductor)
Maestro Gregory Buchalter will be conducting productions of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Florida Grand Opera, RIGOLETTO with Opera Orlando, CARMEN, SUOR ANGELICA/GIANNI SCHICCHI and Rossini's STABAT MATER with Varna International, RIGOLETTO and IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Teatro Lirica D'europe and guest appearances with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra this season. Maestro Buchalter was just appointed Music Director of Varna International. Immediately before the pandemic he conducted IDOMENEO at New England Conservatory of Music. Maestro Buchalter was Music Director at Opera Fairbanks for ten years and Music Director of Opera Las Vegas for five years. At Opera Fairbanks he conducted L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI, CARMEN, LA BOHEME, L’ELISIR D’AMORE, DON GIOVANNI, TOSCA, LA CENERENTOLA, and a Gala performance celebrating Alaska’s 50th anniversary featuring Vivica Genaux. During his leadership with these companies, he has brought in many internationally renowned singers including Paul Plishka, Sondra Radvanovsky, Francisco Casanova, Alessandra Marc, Cynthia Lawrence, Luana DeVol, Alexandra Deshorties, and Richard Bernstein.
Maestro Buchalter is also an active symphonic conductor. He has also conducted SALOMÉ at the Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland with Maria Ewing and Helga Dernesch, DIE FLEDERMAUS at the Vienna Volksoper, and Mozart’s ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL at the Spoleto Festival. Mr. Buchalter is currently on the music staff at the Metropolitan Opera where the position of “Maestro di Banda” was created for him. He has worked extensively with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and has been Chorus Master at the Met for several productions including the telecast of Franco Zeffirelli’s production of DON GIOVANNI and Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS.
He has also prepared several world premieres at the Met: John Corigliano’s THE GHOSTS OF VERSAILLES, Philip Glass’ THE VOYAGE, and John Harbison’s THE GREAT GATSBY. In the latter, Mr. Buchalter created the on-stage part of the jazz band conductor. In October 2011, Mr. Buchalter conducted the American Premiere of Mercadante’s I DUE FIGARO with New York’s Amore Opera and received glowing reviews for the performances. He was the first American to conduct with the Kazakhstan State Opera; the performances there included a televised Gala concert for the President of Kazakhstan. Mr. Buchalter has been Chorus Master of the Santa Fe Opera, where he received great acclaim for his choral preparation for PETER GRIMES, TURANDOT and many other operas. In addition he was Chorus Master at the Bregenz Festival in Austria, Theater des Western in Berlin, and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra.
In February 1992, Mr. Buchalter founded his own chorus, Choros Aristos, and led them in a performance of Rossini’s PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE at New York’s Merkin Hall in commemoration of the composer’s 200th birthday. In 1995, he conducted the Metropolitan Consort, a group composed of members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in a highly successful concert of Baroque music. For many seasons he was a guest conductor with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble where he has conducted such works as Prokofiev’s ALEXANDER NEVSKY. As both pianist and conductor, Mr. Buchalter has toured such places as Cairo, Kuwait, Malaysia, Turkey, and Hong Kong. As a lecturer and speaker he has been invited to hold Master Classes throughout the United States.
Dr. Peter A Barton:
Baritone and Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Peter Barton, baritone, trained in opera, music and drama at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Texas at Austin. Later in his life, he obtained his Master of Music degree from Winthrop University and completed his doctorate in voice performance at the University of South Carolina in Fall 2011. His voice teaching background includes institutional positions with Georgetown University and the University of South Carolina and many years of private voice studio teaching. He currently accepts select students into his studio, both virtually and in person.
Dr. Barton was involved in recital work, musical theater and opera in the Washington DC area for twenty years. He performed with the Washington Opera Society for five seasons, the Maryland Opera Studio for four seasons and has given recitals at Georgetown University and American University. He has been active in the Southeast region for the last fifteen years, performing Dr. Falke in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Count Almaviva in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and the title role in GIANNI SCHICCHI. Other major roles include: Figaro in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Malatesta in DON PASQUALE, Germont in LA TRAVIATA, Michele in IL TABARRO, Ravenal in SHOWBOAT, Tommy in BRIGADOON, Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL and the Pirate King in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.
At Georgetown University, Dr. Barton directed all performing arts programs and was instrumental in establishing an Artist in Residence program, which brought prominent musicians and artists to the university community. For ten years, he was the Director of the Vocal and Opera Program for the Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival in Italy. He worked for The Department of the Treasury, Price Waterhouse, The Export Import Bank of the U.S. and Fannie Mae in the business, technology, and finance world. In higher education, he worked for George Washington University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
GIORGIO LALOV
(Artistic Director/Stage Director)
TEATRO LIRICO D'EUROPA
About Teatro Lirico D’Europa
Teatro Lirico D’Europa was created in 1988 by the late Yves Josse, a former ballet divo and brilliant French arts promoter, and Giorgio Lalov, a young Bulgarian opera singer who made his debut at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, at the age of 25, while participating in Scala’s famous international training program for young singers. The collaboration between Josse and Lalov was a huge success in a very short time, resulting in tours with over 250 performances a season throughout France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Portugal. Performances included those for Opera Dijon, at Salle Pleyel and Pavillion Baltard in Paris; Okinawa Performing Arts Center; Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; Theatre Carre in Amsterdam, Congresshaus in Zurich; Theatre Trinidade in Lisbon; Teatro Atlantida in Barcelona; Salida de La Compania, Teatro Cervantes, Teatro Bueno Vallejo in Madrid; Teatro Lope de Vega in Seville; Le Cirque Royale in Brussels, and L’Atrium Theatre on the Island of Martinique.
Mr. Lalov created the sets and costumes for the productions and organized the chorus and orchestra in Bulgaria. He drew the soloists for the productions from a huge reservoir of operatic talent in Bulgaria, central Europe and the United States, where he held yearly auditions that resulted in the engagement of well over a hundred American singers. Mr. Josse booked the performances for the company from his office in Paris. From the very beginning, the company established itself as highly competent in delivering traditional, full-scale productions featuring a professional orchestra and chorus and outstanding soloists who performed at the top national theatres in their native countries. The unusual chemistry of the company proved to be very popular with European audiences.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa had completed over 2,000 performances worldwide before embarking on its first U.S. tour in the winter 2000 season. Teatro Lirico D'Europa had developed a well-documented history of success with a portfolio of hundreds of rave reviews for full-scale opera productions that had been presented at 180 different venues, including Italian summer festivals such as Festival Busetto, Festival San Giovanni Valdarno, and open-air festivals in Spello, Montecatini Terme, Siena, Chianciano Terme, Cortona, Padova and Aimini.
The company also has a fine collection of outstanding, professionally mastered live CDs. The response to the debut tour from both press and theater management was very positive. The popular company has now completed 17 consecutive U.S. tours with over 800 performances at 140 different venues, including performances for 11 American regional opera companies. The February 2002 issue of OPERA NEWS presented a four-page article on Teatro Lirico D'Europa entitled “Road Warriors,” written by former BOSTON GLOBE opera critic Richard Dyer that stated:
In the past couple of years, the company has presented TURANDOT, AIDA and NABUCCO in Boston. The physical productions and Lalov's stagings were reassuringly traditional. Lalov's stagings tell the story clearly. The solo and ensemble singing in all three operas was lusty, whole hearted-full throated and honest. Something personal and passionate that is often missing from evenings of opera. OPERA NEWS–Richard Dyer
Most recently, in addition to its tours in the USA, the company has toured in in Europe, in France, Spain and Italy at major venues and summer festivals with CARMEN, LA TRAVIATA, RIGOLETTO and NABUCCO, including five performances in Paris presented in collaboration with Opera de Massy.
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