Record Attendance Expected for THE BARBER OF SEVILLE During Opera in the Outfield 9/12

Washington National Opera's General Director Plácido Domingo today announced the second Target FREE Opera in the Outfield, a live simulcast of Rossini's beloved comic opera The Barber of Seville to Nationals Park on September 12, 2009. Made possible by the support of local and national sponsors, the free community event is expected to attract up to 25,000 people for free opera and "pre-game" activities in the festive ballpark atmosphere.

Target FREE Opera in the Outfield is a unique partnership between WNO and corporate partners throughout the city who believe in the value of "opera for everyone." The event is fully funded and
supported by donations from Target, MARS Corporation, the Washington Nationals, WMATA and
MarcParc Valet, with media partners ABC 7/News Channel 8 and Classical WETA 90.9 FM. Thanks to a partnership between WNO and the American Armed Forces Foundation, this year's Target FREE Opera in the Outfield will pay tribute to America's troops. Approximately 5,000 military personnel and their families are expected to be in attendance and special activities are planned in their honor. "Washington National Opera is proud to offer Target FREE Opera in the Outfield, a most important event in fulfilling the company's goal to make opera accessible to everyone in our community," stated Maestro Domingo. "WNO is grateful to have the support of its sponsors, without whom this wonderful event would not be possible."

"I am especially pleased that this year, WNO will simulcast The Barber of Seville, the most popular comic opera of all time," continued Mo. Domingo. "This opera is undoubtedly one of the very best operas for young people, families and first-time opera-goers. I invite the entire city to join us!"

"Fans" are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a ballpark atmosphere, complete with concessions and prizes. "Pre-game activities" include a tee-shirt toss with the "Nat Pack," meet-and-greet opportunities with Miss D.C. Jennifer Corey, photo opportunities with the beloved Red M & M and a very special screening of Warner Brothers' Looney Tunes' classic "The Rabbit of Seville." Prizes, giveaways and raffle items include opera packages, an evening at Nationals Park, a Target shopping spree and take-home gifts from sponsors. In honor of America's troops, including the 5,000 military personnel in attendance, members of the Armed Forces Color guard will present and retire the colors, and members of the U.S. Air Force Band will
perform the Armed Forces Service Medley. This simulcast of The Barber of Seville-the Opening Night of WNO's 54th season-will be broadcast live in high definition from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the Washington Nationals' state-of-the-art HD scoreboard. The National Park scoreboard is among the largest in the country, measuring 4,811 square feet. The simulcast is directed by Bruce Bryant, with video production by Staging Solutions, Inc.

Seating will be available throughout the Park, including on the outfield and in the stands. ABC 7/WJLA TV weekend anchor Horace Holmes will emcee the event.

About The Barber of Seville
Rossini's The Barber of Seville is a delightful farce, filled with high-flying vocal fireworks and gorgeous melodies, including "Largo al Factotum," made famous by the iconic line "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!" To help young Count Almaviva win the hand of the beautiful Rosina, the sharp-witted barber, Figaro, must prevent her from marrying her guardian, Dr. Bartolo. The trio of schemers stops at nothing in the name of love and duty. This WNO revival is directed by David Gately and conducted by Michele Mariotti. The internationally acclaimed cast includes rising-star American tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Count Almaviva, Italian bass- baritone Simone Alberghini as Figaro and Spanish mezzo-soprano Silvia Tro Santafé as Rosina. The production features sets by Allen Moyer, costumes by James Scott and lighting by Jeff Bruckerhoff. The Barber of Seville is performed in Italian with English supertitles projected above the stage and subtitles projected on the Nationals' scoreboard.

NOTE: On Wednesday, September 9, tenor Lawrence Brownlee will sing the National Anthem at the Nationals/Philadelphia Phillies game.

About Washington National Opera Simulcasts
Target FREE Opera in the Outfield builds upon the successes of four previous WNO simulcasts, which have welcomed more than 85,000 people to experience free opera broadcasts from the Kennedy Center Opera House to screens on the National Mall and to 31 colleges, universities and high schools throughout the nation. In September 2008, the simulcasts moved to the newly opened Nationals Park.

The simulcasts are a cornerstone of WNO's Access to Opera initiative, which includes year-round
programs in public schools throughout the region, discount ticket initiatives and adult enrichment.
Together, these programs offer free and low-cost opera to more than 25,000 young people, adult opera lovers and new audiences annually. "Target Free Opera in the Outfield is the most important public access event WNO offers each year: it reinforces the company's long-standing commitment to the community in which we live," stated WNO Executive Director Mark Weinstein. "Especially in these challenging times, we are heartened that major corporations are active partners in WNO's mission to make opera accessible. With their help, WNO will open the season with a grand slam!"

Target FREE Opera in the Outfield-Event Details
Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Nationals Park opens with "pre-game" activities at 5:30 p.m.
Summary: The Target FREE Opera in the Outfield presentation of Washington National Opera's The
Barber of Seville takes place at Nationals Park, located at 1500 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C.
The popular comic opera The Barber of Seville is performed in Italian with English supertitles.
• This event is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are NOT required.
• Individuals and groups wishing to reserve free space in VIP seating sections may make reservations
by registering at www.WNOsimulcast.org
• For additional patron information about attending the simulcast, visit www.WNOsimulcast.org or
call the Simulcast Hotline, 202.572.3057

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