Palm Beach Opera will present Gioachino Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for one weekend only, on Feb. 28-March 1, as well as the annual Children’s Performance on Feb. 29.
For the second mainstage opera of the season, Palm Beach Opera will present “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” a nostalgic opera full of comedic twists and turns, in a classic production conducted by Palm Beach Opera’s Chief Conductor David Stern.
Helena Binder will direct the production, bringing decades of performing arts experience to the traditional opera. Binder was a theater professional – an actor and a director – for over 40 years before transitioning into opera, and studied at New York’s famous Circle in the Square, where alumni include Molly Shannon, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Bacon and Idina Menzel among others.
Baritone and Michigan native Andrew Manea will make both his role and house debut as Figaro, and Aleks Romano, praised for her “searing vocal delivery” by Opera News, will mark her company debut as Rosina. Taylor Stayton, last seen at Palm Beach Opera in “The Daughter of the Regiment,” returns as Count Almaviva, and Italian-born baritone Renato Girolami will sing Dr. Bartolo in an American debut performance.
A former Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist with the Washington National Opera, Timothy Bruno will perform as Don Basilio in another Palm Beach Opera debut. Also performing with Palm Beach Opera for the first time, soprano Susan Neves will sing the role of Berta, and Palm Beach Opera Benenson Young Artist John Tibbetts will perform as Fiorello. Also a Benenson Young Artist, Ted Allen Pickell, last seen at Palm Beach Opera in the company’s 2019 production of “Hansel and Gretel,” will sing the role of Officer.
“After the incredible success of ‘Turandot,’ we are thrilled to follow up with Rossini’s comedic masterpiece ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia,’” said General Director David Walker. “Featuring a charming score, mischievous escapades and delightful melodies, the famed Barber is sure to linger with audiences long after the performance is over.”
On Feb. 29 at 1 p.m. at the Kravis Center, Palm Beach Opera will also present “Children’s Performance: The Barber of Seville,” a 60-minute abridged family-friendly version of the opera, starring the company’s Benenson Young Artists and Bailey Apprentice Artists. Families can enjoy Education Stations before the show, beginning at 11:30 a.m., to explore instruments, costumes, and other interactive activities. Immediately following the performance, there will be a cast meet and greet and an opportunity for autographs. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, and can be purchased at pbopera.org or by calling the box office at 561-833-7888.
“Il Barbiere di Siviglia” will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28-29, and at 2 p.m. on March 1. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase at pbopera.org or by calling the box office at 561-833-7888. Palm Beach Opera will close the 19-20 season with “Eugene Onegin” in March. More information may be found at pbopera.org.