Boston Midsummer Opera to Present Donizetti's IL CAMPANELLO & Mascagni's L'AMICO FRITZ

It's love, Italian style, as the Boston Midsummer Opera (BMO) presents two rarely performed one-act gems from the 19th century, Donizetti's Il Campanello and Mascagni's L'amico Fritz for its eleventh season. Three performances will presented, on July 20, 22 and 24, in a new location for the BMO, the Arsenal Center for the Arts, Mosesian Theater, in Watertown.

Il Campanello is an exuberant comic farce for which Donizetti wrote both the music and libretto. The story revolves around Don Pistacchio, an elderly apothecary (Jason Budd), his new bride Serafina (Meredith Hansen) and her lover Enrico (David Kravitz). Enrico is determined to keep the newlyweds from consummating their union by disguising himself, continually ringing the Night Bell and demanding various remedies and potions. Il Campanello will be sung in English.

The romantic, seldom performed L'amico Fritz of Pietro Mascagni is the second opera. Written in 1890, this opera tells the story of Rabbi David (Jason Budd) and his friend, the generous landowner Fritz Kobus (Mathew Vickers) -who is happy to provide dowries to those who can't afford them - but resists tying the knot himself. That changes when Rabbi David, an obsessive matchmaker, bets Fritz a vineyard that he will marry. L'amico Fritz will be sung in Italian with English super titles (a first for BMO).

Noted director Antonio Ocampo-Guzman will stage the production and nationally acclaimed conductor Susan Davenny Wyner will lead the BMO orchestra. The design team includes Stephen Dobay, (sets), John Cuff, (lighting), and Elisabetta Polito (costumes).

The BMO performances will take place at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, as the Tsai Center is not available, due to changes in usage of the building by Boston University.

Founded in 2006, Boston Midsummer Opera creates vibrant experiences designed to ward off the summer doldrums. BMO makes opera both accessible and affordable by mounting Dynamic Productions with nationally and internationally known artists that will attract new listeners as well as appeal to discriminating opera fans.

Performances of Il Campanello and L'amico Fritz are Wednesday, July 20 and Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 24 at 3:00 p.m. at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, Mosesian Theater, Watertown, MA.

Tickets, priced at $62.00 to $52.00 for all performances, are on sale, online at www.bostonmidsummeropera.org, by calling Arsenal Center for the Arts at 617-923-8487 or by mailing a request to Boston Midsummer Opera, PO Box 301 Charles Street Station, Boston, MA 02114.

For more information, visit www.bostonmidsummeropera.org