Utah Opera's 2012-13 Season Closes with Rossini's THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, Now thru 5/19

"Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!" sung by the witty and mischievous town barber, Figaro himself, is one of the most recognizable musical tunes in operatic history. Audiences have the opportunity to hear this famous music live and in its original context when Utah Opera presents Giachino Rossini's "The Barber of Seville." Utah Opera performs Rossini's comic masterpiece "The Barber of Seville" tonight, May 11, 13, 15 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and May 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City (50 West 200 South).

Celena Shafer, Utah native and Metropolitan Opera performer, returns to the Utah Opera stage as the charming Rosina. Robert McPherson, another Utah Opera favorite, sings the role of the love-stricken Count Almaviva. Will Liverman makes his Utah Opera debut as the clever Figaro.

This production is directed by Tara Faircloth and conducted by Jerry Steichen, a Utah Opera regular who is now also the Utah Symphony's Principal Pops Conductor. The opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles and last approximately three hours with one twenty-minute intermission.

The hilarious story and playful music from "The Barber of Seville" captivates audiences of all ages. It has been featured in many musical and cartoon parodies including the infamous Bugs Bunny animation of Rossini's delightful overture in "Rabbit of Seville." Woody Woodpecker also sang Figaro's legendary aria in his own 1944 version of "The Barber of Seville."

SHORT SYNPOSIS: In the exotic town of Seville, Count Almaviva sings and woos the confined and beautiful Rosina. Figaro, the local barber, knows all the secrets in the town and explains to Almaviva that Rosina is kept locked up as the ward of Doctor Bartolo, who plans to marry her. Figaro devises a plan to help Almaviva get the girl by disguising the Count as a drunken solider under orders to be quartered at Bartolo's own home. Chaos ensues as Bartolo grows suspicious and Figaro and Almaviva must come up with innovative ways to get closer to Rosina and prevent her marriage to Bartolo.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Utah Opera Principal Coach Dr. Carol Anderson will offer a free Opera Prelude Lecture one hour before curtain of each performance in the front of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will hold a free Q&A session immediately following each performance in the front of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).

Single tickets for the performances range from $13 to $78 and can be purchased by calling 801-355-2787, in person at the Capitol Theatre ticket office (50 West 200 South) or by visiting www.utahopera.org. A limited number of $10 Youth Tickets and USUO Upbeat Tickets (discounts for patrons 30 or younger) are available for the Monday and Wednesday performances. Subscribers and those requesting group rates should call 801-533-6683. All ticket prices are subject to change and availability. Ticket prices will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.

Utah Opera presents THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, Composed by Giachino Antonio Rossini with Libretto by Cesare Sterbini at the Capitol Theatre, May 11, 13, 15 and 17 at 7:00 p.m. and May 19 at 2:00 p.m. Sung in Italian; English supertitle translation by Kathleen Lowe. Premiere: 1816; Previously at Utah Opera in 1980, 1987, 2006.

CAST
Rosina Celena Shafer
Count Almaviva Robert McPherson
Figaro Will Liverman
Don Basilio Ryan Speedo Green
Dottore Bartolo Michael Wanko
Fiorello Shea Owens
Berta Sishel Claverie
Sergeant Tyler Oliphant
Notary Gunter Radinger

ARTISTIC STAFF
Stage Director Tara Faircloth
Conductor Jerry Steichen
Chorus Master Susanne Sheston
Musical Preparation Carol Anderson
Set Designer Peter Dean Beck
Costume Designer Susan Memmott Allred
Lighting Designer Nicholas Cavallaro
Wigs and Make-up Designer Yancey J. Quick
Guest Coach Dallas Heaton
Assistant Rehearsal Pianist Sahar Nouri
Stage Manager Amy Soll
Assistant Stage Manager Emily D. Grand
Supertitle Technician Glenn Linder