There's still time... (part two)

If you’re looking for some sun and beach, and of course opera – San Diego is the destination for you. Soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Stephen Costello are singing the title characters in Romeo and Juliet for the first time together with San Diego Opera. Previously Ailyn performed the role of Juliet at the Salzburg Festival, and Stephen performed Romeo with Baltimore Opera. They will reprise their roles in Philadelphia next season for the Opera Company of Philadelphia in February 2011. A perfect excuse to come and visit me at AVA.

I always say where there’s one AVA singer performing, you can always find another! That’s the case with Minnesota Opera’s production of La bohème with Ellie Dehn as Mimi and James Valenti as Rudolfo. The production ended on March 14 but it was worth noting since this was not their first time singing together (other than on the AVA stage). They were Minnesota’s Romeo and Juliet a few seasons past, so being a couple (on the stage) is nothing new to them. Ellie stepped in to San Diego’s La bohème in January and will be back at Los Angeles Opera for a reprise of Freia in Das Rheingold. 
More on James in a later blog.

If a trip to Italy is in your schedule, or traveling at a drop of a hat is your thing, don’t miss Michael Fabiano making his debut at San Carlo Opera in Naples, Italy, beginning April 15 – 23 where he will be singing the role of Alfredo in La traviata. After Italy he’ll be deep in the heart of Texas  singing Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore  as his debut with the Fort Worth Opera on May 23, 28 & June 5.  He’ll be there with AVA’s newest alum, Christopher Bolduc, in the role of Belcore.