Opera Maine Presents A New Production Of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO In July

Opera Maine is proud to present a new production of Mozart's masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro, a comic satire often described as "the perfect opera." Mozart's sublime music in The Marriage of Figaro has delighted audiences since 1786, and the captivating plot, with its dynamic characters and themes of social and sexual tension, is sure to excite today's audiences. The Marriage of Figaro will be performed at Merrill Auditorium on Wednesday, July 25 and Friday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Conducted by Stephen Lord, who was chosen by Opera News as one of the "25 Most Powerful Names in U.S. Opera," The Marriage of Figaro includes a cast of renowned veterans of the world's greatest opera houses. Keith Phares will perform the role of Count Almaviva and soprano Danielle Pastin is the Countess. Returning to perform with Opera Maine are tenor Robert Brubaker as Basilio, baritone Robert Mellon as Figaro, and soprano Maeve Höglundas Susanna. Mezzo-soprano Hongni Wu joins the cast having just won the Metropolitan Council Auditions. Also featured in this star-studded cast are soprano MaryAnn McCormick as Marcellina, and bass Kevin Glavinas Bartolo.

Opera Maine's Artistic Director, Dona D. Vaughn, and the production team that includes Portland native and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Chris Akerlind have taken a new consideration of time and place in this fresh approach to the opera's amusing imbroglio and Figaro's impending marriage. Audiences will escape to a night of intoxicating comedy and unforgettable melodies, including the duet popularized in the movie The Shawshank Redemption.

The opera will be sung in Italian, with projected translations in English.

Mozart based his opera on a contemporary play by Pierre Beaumarchais, one of a trilogy concerning Count Almaviva of Seville and the canny barber, Figaro. In the first play, the Count enlists the help of Figaro in wooing the lovely Rosina and liberating her from her elderly guardian, Dr. Bartolo, who wishes to marry her himself. In the sequel, The Marriage of Figaro, the Count has married Rosina, but his philandering ways threaten their happiness. Figaro, now the Count's valet, is engaged to Susanna, the Countess's maid - and the Count's intended conquest. Old Bartolo is back, and, aided by a slimy music master, seeks revenge on Figaro. Adding to the mayhem are an amorous teenager, a conniving old maid, a drunken gardener, and a silly young girl. Much happens on a single crazy day, and it seems that Figaro's wedding plans are to be thwarted.

Lorenzo Da Ponte took this popular, scandalous play, removed political content that would have offended the Viennese imperial censors (the French Revolution was only a few years away), and crafted a tight storyline focusing on social and sexual tensions between masters and servants. With Mozart's masterpiece of a score, the result is a witty yet profound tale of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

Thanks in part to a recent grant from Macy's, Systems Engineering, and private donors, Opera Maine has launched a new initiative, "Opera for All!" One hundred fifty tickets to The Marriage of Figaro performance will be distributed to nonprofit agencies throughout the state and will enable young Mainers ages 13 to 18, veterans, and others, an opportunity to experience professional opera at no cost to them.

Guest Artist mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis leads the cast of Jake Heggie's Three Decembers, which also features Studio Artists soprano Symone Harcum, and tenor Yazid Gray. This opera was composed in 2008 with librettist Gene Scheer. Set in the Decembers of 1986, 1996, and 2006, this 90-minute opera tells the story of a famous stage actress, Madeline Mitchell, and her two adult children, Beatrice and Charlie, as they struggle to know and love one another.

Three Decembers - performances at 7:30 p.m.

· Wednesday, July 11 at St. Lawrence Arts, Portland

· Friday, July 13 at Deertrees Theater, Harrison

· Sunday, July 15 at The Temple, Ocean Park

· Monday, July 16 at Camden Opera House

Tickets: $14 to $22 available at Brown Paper Tickets.

Related Events:

· July 6: First Friday Art Walk open chorus rehearsal, First Parish Church, Portland, at 6 p.m.

· July 16: Opera at the Mansion-Joint Benefit with Victoria Mansion.

For a full schedule of events, visit OperaMaine.com