Ticket Prices, "Meet the Artists", parking, and much more!
The Barber of Seville will be at the Koger Center for the Arts for one performance only on Sunday, January 28, 2024 for a special 3:00 pm matinée.
PSA: Tickets for The Palmetto Opera's The Barber of Seville are NOT available through any other website other than www.kogercenterforthearts.com. Better still, please visit our lovely friends at the Koger Center Box Office or call 803-251-2222 to purchase your ticket.
*There is an additional $2 Koger Center restoration fee for each ticket purchase.*
PARKING
General information on parking for a Koger Center event can be found HERE.
The Barber of Seville will have free valet parking infront of the School of Music.
MEET THE ARTISTS OF The Barber of Seville
CARLOS ALBERTO LÓPEZ
Figaro
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. 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. López was 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 made his debut with Teatro Lirico D’Europa in winter 2022 as Figaro in Rossini’s IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA.
MAYELA LÓPEZ
Rosina
López was principal mezzo-soprano in the 2022-2023 season of the MOS México Opera Studio under the direction of R. Piñero and A. Miyaki, and was winner of the Met Laffont competition of the Metropolitan Opera of New York, Mexico district. Her major work includes: L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILÈGES, AMADEUS, PEER GYNT, Flora Bervoix in Verdi's LA TRAVIATA, Cherubino in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, PUSS IN BOOTS and LUISA FERNANDA, Dorabella in Mozart's COSì FAN TUTTE and the title role of Bizet’s CARMEN. Internationally she was a soloist in Karl Jenkins' THE ARMED MAN in Ireland with The Ulster Orchestra, under the direction of renowned BBC London conductor Neil Ferris, at Loyola University New Orleans and at Summerfest in PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE, Wagner's WESENDONCK LIEDER, and Pergolesi's STABAT Milwaukee, USA.
She has worked with prominent directors such as Iván López Reynoso, Teresa Rodríguez, Jorge Cozatl, Patrón de Rueda and Vladimir Gómez. She was a regular soloist member of Opera studio Beckmann in the 2019-2021 season, under the direction of Benito Rodríguez and the Belcanto institute of San Miguel 2022. She has worked with vocal coaches Vladimir Bañuelos, Carlos Conde, and Ted Taylor. She has taken master classes with distinguished teachers such as Elīna Garanča, Nancy Fabiola Herrera, Verónica Villaroel, David Gowland, Michael Sylvester, among others. Her concert repertoire includes Mozart's REQUIEM, Beethoven's NINTH SYMPHONY, Rossini's STABAT MATER and MATER.
FABIÁN ROBLES
Count Almaviva
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). Fabián Robles is quickly establishing himself in the belcanto and lyric tenor repertoire. Fabián 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.
In 2022, Robles started as the male lead in the Zarzuela/Spanish operetta LOS CLAVELES, and then continued with a series of concerts and performances of the operas RIGOLETTO & IL 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 The 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, Fabiánreturned 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 PÊCHEURS DE PERLES and the title role in Rossini’s OTELLO at Houston’s Opera in the Heights. In his native Puerto Rico, Fabián 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.
GREGORY SHEPPARD
Don Basilio
Gregory Sheppard, bass-baritone has been heard in opera, concert and recital in the United States, Canada and Europe. He has appeared in leading roles with Virginia Opera, Central City Opera, Syracuse Opera, NYC Opera, Connecticut Opera, Orlando Opera, Tri-Cities Opera, Opera Ebony, Lake George Opera, Nickel City Opera, Opera Memphis, Chattanooga Opera in roles that include Figaro in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Basilio in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Colline in LA BOHEME, Samorone in BEATRICE ET BENEDICT, Leporello and Commendatore in DON GIOVANNI, Don Alfonso in COSI FAN TUTTE, Raimondo in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, Ramfis in AIDA and the leading bass-baritone roles in THE TALES OF HOFFMAN.
His orchestral appearances include Verdi's MESSE DI REQUIEM with the Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra, Mozart REQUIEM MASS with the Bowdoin Festival Orchestra, Beethoven's NINTH SYMPHONY with the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra and appearances with Sioux City Symphony, Denver Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, New Haven Symphony, Little Orchestra Society among others. Sheppard has also appeared at Savonlinna Festival (Finland), Vienna Festival, with Orchestra Solisti di Roma and with the Biennale Festspiel in Munich in the premier of A Scourge of Hyacinth.
Mr. Sheppard holds degrees from Syracuse University and New York University and received further training as apprentice artist at Sarasota Opera, Central City Opera and Glimmerglass Opera. He has won many awards including Metropolitan Opera National Council Finalist and Study Grant recipient, Syracuse Opera Artist of the Year, Sullivan Foundation Grant, Friday Music Clubs Young Artist Award, Syracuse University Faculty Award, Jan Peerce Scholarship. Mr. Sheppard is often selected by composers to premier new works.
Most recently PUSHED ASIDE - on the life of Elizabeth Gage by Persis Vehar and LIBBA: HERE THIS DAY by Mark A. Oliveri on the life of Libba Cotten with Society New Music. He also was heard recently in and premiered NO COWARDS IN OUR BAND on PBS, a new work on the life of Frederick Douglass by Anthony Knight. Mr. Sheppard appears this season with Festival of Music as soloist in Bach's MAGNIFICAT, recital for Society New Music, recital at the Century Club, concert with Onondaga Historical Society to celebrate the history 1864 of The National Convention of Colored Men, PER QUESTA BELLA MANO and HIGHWAY 1, USA with Festival of Music. Mr. Sheppard is Doctoral Lecturer in Music for CUNY in New York City and has taught on the faculties of New York University, Columbia University and The New School.
CHRISTINA LAMBERTI
Berta
Mezzo-soprano Christina Lamberti has garnered critical acclaim throughout her successful career as a performer but was looking for the exact fach for her unique sound. Now fully realized as a dramatic mezzo-soprano, Christina is primed for roles such as Eboli (DON CARLO), Santuzza (CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA), Amneris (AIDA), and the title role in CARMEN. Recognized internationally, Christina has been hailed for a sound that ranges from "a full- throated performance, riveting in sound and fury" to "such delicate nuances that only the greatest masters can portray."
She has performed for some of the world’s leading organizations, including San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Delaware, Buffalo Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Estonian National Opera, Slovenian National Theatre, Singapore Lyric Opera, Singapore Symphony, Teatro Comunale di Atri, and Stattheater Regensburg, where she enjoyed three seasons as the resident leading soprano.
In her former repertoire, Ms. Lamberti excelled as the title roles of MANON LESCAUT and NORMA, Leonore (IL TROVATORE), Desdemona (OTELLO), Amelia (UN BALLO IN MASCHERA), Donna Elvira (DON GIOVANNI), and Vitellia (LA CLEMENZA DI TITO). Her initial operatic experience began as an undergraduate chorister at Westminster Choir College participating in the Philadelphia Orchestra's concert productions of NABUCCO and TOSCA, conducted by Maestro Riccardo Muti. She continued her studies at Duquesne University and participated in the EPCASO program in Italy, studying the Bellini and Donizetti repertoire under the rigorous tutelage of Enza Ferrari and Claudia Pinza (daughter of famed basso Ezio Pinza).
Christina participated in San Francisco Opera as a young artist in the Merola Opera Program. Other Young Artist Programs include Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Opera, and The Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia. Christina began a long-standing relationship with San Francisco Opera as a young artist in the Merola Opera Program. She studied early Romantic bel canto repertoire with the late Dame Joan Sutherland. Most recently she has been touring Denmark with her husband, classical guitarist Lars Frandsen. Recent engagements include the role of Maddalena in multiple performances of Verdi’s RIGOLETTO at major USA venues with Teatro Lirico D’Europa and Berta in performances of Rossini’s IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Nickel City Opera, Buffalo.
VLADIMIR HRISTOV
Fiorello
Bulgarian bass Vladimir Hristov graduated from the National Academy of Music in Sofia. He has been a soloist with Teatro Lirico D'Europa on its American and European tours since the winter of 2003 performing roles in Verdi’s RIGOLETTO, NABUCCO, LA TRAVIATA and AIDA, Puccini’s MADAMA BUTTERFLY and TOSCA, Rossini’s IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA and others.
JASON TRAMM
Conductor
Maestro Tramm currently holds the following musical positions: Artistic Director/Principal Conductor, MidAtlantic Artistic Productions (with whom he made his Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium) debut in 2015). Executive Director, Light Opera of New Jersey, Principal Guest Conductor, Long Island Concert Orchestra, Music Director, the Taghkanic Chorale, and Music Director, Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater.
He served as Artistic Director of the New Jersey State Opera from 2008 to 2012, where he collaborated with some of the finest voices in opera, including Samuel Ramey, Vladimir Galouzine, Angela Brown, Gregg Baker, and Paul Plishka. His 2009 HDTV broadcast with PBS affiliate NJN of "Verdi Requiem: Live from Ocean Grove," garnered an Emmy Award nomination.
The busy maestro is entering his 17th season as Director of Music, in Residence, of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association in the summer months, where he leads the choral, orchestral, and oratorio performances in the historic 6,500-seat Great Auditorium. In addition to the Ocean Grove Choir Festival, a beloved event in its 64th year and attended by thousands, he has appeared on two National Public Radio broadcasts with organ virtuoso Gordon Turk and symphonic orchestra.
An accomplished educator, he serves as an Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Seton Hall University where he leads the University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Orchestra and conducting. In 2017, Seton Hall University Awarded him the University Faculty Teacher of the Year. Educating and mentoring the next generation of musicians has always been a central part of Jason Tramm's career. He is also actively sought as a clinician and regularly presents lectures on a wide variety of musical topics.
Mr. Tramm holds degrees in music from the Crane School, the Hartt School, and a DMA in Conducting from Rutgers University, where he was the recipient of their prestigious Presidential Fellowship. In 2003, he joined the ranks of Metropolitan Opera Stars Ren ée Fleming and Stephanie Blythe when he was honored with the Rising Star Award from the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association.
A sought-after guest conductor, he has led symphonic and operatic performances in Italy, Romania, Hungary and Albania. Engagements for the 2022-2023 season included: EstrOrchestra (Pistoia and Roma, Italy), Adelphi Orchestra (NJ and Manhattan), Long Island Concert Orchestra, Nickel City Opera (Buffalo, NY), Teatro Lirico D'Europa (Columbia, South Carolina and New York City), Camerata Bardi (Manhattan), and the Szolnok Symphony Orchestra in performances in Austria at the Mozarteum (Salzburg) and the Konzerthaus (Klangenfurt) in March of 2023.
Jason and his son Quinton (Videographer/Producer) founded Music Matters with Jason Tramm, a musical culture podcast, which has over 300,000 views on YouTube. In two years since its founding, has featured over 300 interviews with distinguished artists and innovators from a multitude of genres, and focuses on artistic creativity and self-discovery during the most challenging times.
About GIORGIO LALOV
Artistic Director/ stage director/set and costumes designs
and Teatro Lirico d'Europa
Born in Bulgaria, GIORGIO (Gueorgui) LALOV is the stage director, artistic director and set and costume designer for TEATRO LIRICO D'EUROPA - 1988 to the present. LALOV, has been performing in and directing full-scale opera productions with international casts since his debut at La Scala, Milan at the age of 25. He speaks English, French, Italian, Bulgarian, and Russian fluently.
Since 1988, his opera productions have been presented at major venues in France, Belgium Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Italy, Sicily, Denmark, South America, the Island of Martinique, and the USA including performances for Opera Dijon, France, Opera De Massy, Paris, performances at Salle Pleyel, Paris, Pavillion Baltard, Paris, Okinawa Performing Arts Center in Japan, Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Theatre Carre, Amsterdam, Congresshaus, Zurich, Theatre Trinidade, Lisbon, Teatro Atlantida, Barcelona, Salida de La Compania, Madrid, Teatro Cervantes, Madrid, Teatro Bueno Vallejo, Madrid, Teatro Lope de Vega, Seville, Le Cirque Royale, Brussels, LʼAtrium Theatre on the Island of Martinique and over 150 major performing arts venues throughout the USA (including over a dozen American regional opera companies: Syracuse Opera, Opera Rochester, Opera Delaware, Augusta Opera, Palmetto Opera, Opera New Hampshire, Golden Gate Opera, Springfield Regional Opera, Opera Wichita, Palm Desert Opera, Shreveport Opera, Opera Asheville, Opera Tampa Bay, Gold Coast Opera and others).
Mr. Lalov has designed the sets and costumes for and staged full-scale productions of: Puccini's LA BOHEME, TOSCA and MADAMA BUTTERFLY, Verdi's LA TRAVIATA, IL TROVATORE, RIGOLETTO, AIDA, and NABUCCO, Mozart's DON GIOVANNI, LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, and DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, Bizet's CARMEN, Wagner's LOHENGRIN, Lehar's MERRY WIDOW, Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMORE and L'ELISIR D'AMORE, STRAUSS DIE FLEDERMAUS, Rossini's IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Mascagni's CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, Leoncavallo's I PAGLIACCI and Mussorgsky's BORIS GODUNOV, all to outstanding critical acclaim from both European and American critics.
"The physical productions and Lalov's staging were reassuringly traditional. Lalov's staging tells 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 other evenings of opera.” OPERA NEWS — Richard Dyer
Join us following the performance for light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists in The Gallery. See you there!