Monthly Archives: March 2021

March 31, 2021 · 1:14 pm

URGENT: Volunteer Performers Needed for Evening Variety Show Sat April 10th

MISC_Casting call2Looking for several “acts” to fill out a 30-minute vaudeville style variety show (with a little burlesque sprinkled in), with acts from 1920’s -1940’s . Singers (soloists, duos, barbershop etc), dancers (Ballroom, burlesque, etc) , juggler, magician, or anything else appropriate for adult entertainment etc.  Performance will occur as entertainment while desert is served for annual ball of local charitable organization.  Anticipate approximately 200 attendees.

Acts scheduled to date average 4-7 minutes in length. Need 2-3 more acts. Know it’s late, but if you’re a performer suffering withdrawal and need to get in front of a live crowd, please contact me ASAP!  Karaoke King with killer Louie Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Sinatra or Dean Martin? Bessie Smith, Kate Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Andrews Sisters or any number of femme fatals from those decades? Time is of the essence. All we need is you/your small group and sheet music for piece you’d sing, dance or perform to as it will be played live by the band (7 piece orchestra).  Hoping to avoid need for sound system and recording devices to play tracks. 

Event is at Hotel in Sharonville and performance will occur in 7:30 – 8:30 pm range.  Live band.  3 short rehearsals prior to event. All need not be attended. Final organizational meeting Thursday, April 1st 6:30pm at Arts Center at Dunham.  Rehearsal with band Tuesday and Wednesday evening, April 6th and 7th.  Exact time and location TBD.

If able to  join with other local performers volunteering their time and talent, please contact Carrie Mees ASAP at clmees@fuse.net or 513-295-8727 (text or call).

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March 31, 2021 · 10:43 am

Cincinnati Ballet Shatters Record $30.8 Million Goal to Fund New Dance Center in Walnut Hills

CB_Ground levelTHE NEW CINCINNATI BALLET MARGARET AND MICHAEL VALENTINE CENTER FOR DANCE WILL OPEN IN JUNE FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS

Cincinnati, OH (MARCH 30, 2021) –
Cincinnati Ballet President + CEO Scott Altman announced Tuesday the organization has successfully completed and exceeded its $30.8 million dollar capital campaign to fund a new state-of-the-art facility in Walnut Hills. “We are truly humbled and honored by the tremendous support of our donors, patrons, and the community, especially during these challenging times,” Altman said. “A project of this size and scope is a watershed moment for Cincinnati Ballet and we are so excited to take the next step into our future.” The new Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Center for Dance will feature nine studios in 57-thousand-square-feet of space, as well as boast an outdoor Community Terrace and Performance Plaza adjacent to Johnston Park, a Rooftop Terrace, and stunning views of Downtown Cincinnati. The larger space will also accommodate the Ballet’s expanded education and community engagement programming. For the first time in Cincinnati Ballet history, the organization will own its own building at 1801 Gilbert Avenue. Located at the foot of Eden Park, the new Center for Dance will also anchor the Walnut Hills Arts Corridor.

Cincinnati Ballet’s Move With Us campaign exceeded its $30.8 million goal by more than $80,000 as of Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Longtime Cincinnati Ballet patrons and supporters Margaret and Michael Valentine were the first to support the project, committing $10 million dollars, the largest one-time gift in Cincinnati Ballet history, to name and memorialize the Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. “We are honored to be a part of this historic project,” Margaret Valentine said. “Cincinnati is fortunate to have such a thriving arts sector, and I think it’s important for members of our community to give back. I understand the importance of demonstrating leadership for projects that benefit the city and the new Valentine Center for Dance will provide many cultural and educational opportunities to the region.” Cincinnati Ballet is also grateful for a $3 million gift from Rhonda Sheakley and her husband Larry A. Sheakley. As a permanent commemoration of the Sheakley family’s generosity, the largest Company studio will be named the Rhonda and Larry A. Sheakley Premier Studio. That gift was followed by significant gifts from Otto M. Budig, Sue and Bill Friedlander, Lynn and Brain Good, and Marty and Nick Ragland. Move With Us. A Campaign for Cincinnati Ballet’s New Home, with co-chaired by Rhonda Sheakley and fellow Emeritus Trustee Larry Kellar.

“The new building is architecturally stunning, both inside and outside,” said Artistic Director Victoria Morgan. “There’s so much openness and light. What an experience it will be for our dancers to move in this amazing space.” The highly visible, iconic building was designed by GBBN Architects and is being built by Messer Construction. The new facility will also support expanded dance classes in the Otto M. Budig Academy, and a deeper commitment to community offerings such as Ballet Moves, created in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s. New Ballet Moves offerings will also provide the opportunity for students who traditionally use a mobility device to participate in a supportive environment employing an innovative, double track harness system or utilizing their devices. Cincinnati Ballet is the first ballet company in the country to install this specialized track system that will allow students to partner, stand at the barre and go across the floor.

An additional ‘1801 Community Campaign’ launched in December 2020 with personalized engraving opportunities on the plaza steps for a gift $1,801; Those opportunities are nearly sold out. Additional naming rights are available, and gifts received will be earmarked for future capital needs and sustainability of the new facility. Donations can be made at cballet.org.

Otto M. Budig Academy students will be the first to train in the new space with Summer Intensive programming in June. Official Grand Opening celebrations presented by PNC Bank will take place in September and include free community events, as well as a Grand Opening Gala. Details will be announced in the summer.

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-
caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

Cincinnati Ballet 2020-2021 Season Sponsors: Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley, Margaret and Michael Valentine, ArtsWave, Mercy Health, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, Frisch’s, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

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March 31, 2021 · 10:36 am

Director Submissions Sought for 2021-2022 Studio Series Season at Cincinnati Music Theatre

CMT_Studio Series logoCMT Wants YOU!
Cincinnati Music Theatre is seeking director submissions for our 21-22 Studio Series season! We are looking for directors and artists from diverse backgrounds who are interested in amplifying marginalized voices and bringing fresh perspectives to timely stories.
Our Studio Series has traditionally consisted of small-cast book musicals and original cabarets. However, we would love to see your pitches of music-oriented pieces of any variety. For example:
  • original small-cast musicals
  • original cabaret shows
  • musical revues
  • concert editions of full musicals
  • storytelling pieces that include dance, poetry, instrumental music, etc.
There will be a budget available to procure performance rights for licensed works, or to pay an arranger to help create original works. If you have an idea for a piece but aren’t sure if it might fit what we’re looking for, please reach out and ask. We are limited by the nature of the performance space to small casts and minimal tech requirements, but may be able to accommodate flexible staging and seating arrangements. We are also limited in the number of “pit” musicians we can have to accompany singers.
Please include in your pitch:
  • a title and summary for your show, particularly for original works
  • logistical requirements for cast size, tech needs, musician needs
  • the names of anyone you may have in mind to fill out your production staff
  • the artistic vision you have for your show, and ideas about how you might incorporate conscious casting, dramaturgical work, unconventional staging, and other creative elements to tell a story that speaks to today’s audiences
Please send your pitches by April 16, 2021 to creative@cmtmail.org or by responding to this email.
Questions? Ask VP Creative, Kendra Struthers at the above email address, or call 513-652-2826.
We look forward to hearing from you!
– CMT Creative Committee
Please note that CMT is an all-volunteer group, and there is no compensation for staff, actors, tech, or musicians.

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March 31, 2021 · 10:33 am

The Children’s Theatre Hiring Creative Projects Producer

TCTC_new logoCREATIVE PROJECTS MANAGER (FULL-TIME)

Organizational Overview: 

TCT’s mission is to educate, entertain and engage audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming. We fulfill our mission through three primary programs:

  • TCT MainStage at the Taft Theatre
  • TCT On Tour
  • TCT Academy

Vision: To awaken a lifelong love of theatre in children and the young at heart.

Core Beliefs:

  • We believe in the power of theatre to enrich lives and create deeper understandings of people, cultures, and perspectives.
  • We believe that our audiences deserve high quality experiences that are rich with wonder, honesty, compassion, joy, and wisdom.
  • We believe that the arts and education are not mutually exclusive.
  • We believe that the art we create must respect the diversity of our community.
  • We believe in the power of integrated arts education to enrich our lives and our communities. 

Position Overview:

The Creative Projects Manager will assist the organization in fulfilling its mission of educating, entertaining and engaging audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming. A successful Creative Projects Manager will not only lead TCT internally to achieve its mission but will be an active advocate in the community and will be responsible for maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring the consistency of the TCT brand.

The Creative Projects Manager will be responsible for successfully promoting our programming and content via graphic design, video, and community outreach, ensuring our brand and voice are well represented.

This position reports to the Marketing Director and works closely with the Marketing Manager and across all internal departments, including Artistic, Development, Production, and Education.

This is a full-time, exempt position that at times will require evening and weekend hours when TCT programming and events often take place.

Responsibilities:

The Creative Projects Manager shall be responsible for:

MEDIA PRODUCTION:

  • Collaborate with Artistic Director and Marketing department to produce, create, shoot, and edit enticing video marketing content for TCT’s social media accounts and website promoting engagement with an eye to sharable content and a view toward growing and diversifying TCT’s audience.
  • Work with Education Director to shoot video of classes, shows, camps and events for record and for promotion.
  • Provide graphic design services for multiple internal departmental clients with a particular focus on the needs for marketing, development, and education efforts.
  • Work with Sales Director, Marketing Director, as well as Artistic Director, outside designers, vendors, and other departments to source, compile, develop, manage, and deliver the design and creation of institutional, season-related, show-related, and departmental print and digital collateral; including, but not limited to posters, print and online advertisements, brochures, branded fliers, signage, direct mail, electronic lobby monitors, postcards, website graphics, and invitations.
  • Collaborate with Marketing Manager on email campaigns, including planning, scheduling, and deploying; writing and editing copy; determining and editing visual content through DotDigital.
  • Use design programs or online platforms (such as Canva or PowerPoint) to create additional marketing, donor, and institutional materials (including sponsorship decks) for both print and digital use.
  • Create, coordinate, and edit content with Cincinnati Magazine for all MainStage show programs. Work with TCT Academy staff on Academy show programs.

MEDIA COORDINATION:

  • Manage relationships and interact with outside vendors (printers, illustrators, photographers, advertising outlets, external graphic designer) to ensure that all designs are created and executed according to TCT’s standards.
  • Maintain a calendar of all applicable print and digital deadlines and makes sure all tasks are completed in a timely manner. Monday.com experience a plus.
  • Work collaboratively to provide professional and creative solutions to meet individual graphic and/or video needs.

PUBLIC RELATIONS:

  • Work with Marketing, Artistic and Development Directors to identify story angles associated with productions, and proactive media opportunities for The Children’s Theatre throughout the year.
  • Create and develop pitches and news releases, as well as photo/media opportunities.
  • Work with the Marketing Director to coordinate print and broadcast placements with media.
  • Write and distribute press releases and pitches; establish and maintain press contacts and relationships.
  • Keep an organized database of press-ready photos for institutional use and publicity purposes.
  • Coordinate all media tickets and ticket trades in coordination with the Box Office Manager.

OTHER:

  • On-site duties at events and performances throughout the season include capturing content and serving on rotational basis for programmatic activities with the TCT Crown Club.
  • Work with the Marketing department and partners to maintain consistent content standards/style.
  • Attend weekly marketing meetings and provide input into marketing and communications strategy, goals, and objectives.
  • Other duties as assigned.

While fulfilling duties, the Creative Projects Manager will:

  • Work closely with the Marketing department to fulfill the mission of TCT.
  • Be an advocate for TCT in the community.
  • Consistently and accurately articulate the philosophy and policies of TCT to the staff, patrons, and public.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree, an equivalent from an accredited college, or equivalent experience in UX, graphic design, video production/editing, journalism, marketing, communications, content development or a related field. 1-4 years’ experience with a proven track record of results is a plus.
  • Experience developing content and managing production across multi-media channels, including print, video, audio, and/or digital.
  • Developing content for non-profits or the performing arts a plus, but not required.
  • This individual must have a high energy level, be creative and innovative with strong written and speaking skills.
  • Key characteristics of the ideal candidate include innate curiosity, adaptability, and creativity.
  • A quick learner able to manage various programs and get up to speed quickly where needed, yet unafraid to ask for help or admit when they do not know the answer.
  • A self-starter with the ability to work autonomously and act independently but also work with and contribute as part of a strong, effective, and close-knit tribe.
  • Video editing and graphic skills are a must. Ideally Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X.
  • Experience with video cameras, interviewing, editing software, sound, and lighting.
  • Expertise with content creation for professional YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and up-and-coming social media platforms (like Tik-Tok!)
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign), Office 365, Dropbox, Canva and WordPress.
  • Outgoing personality that enjoys interacting with members of the community.
  • Superior writing abilities with demonstrated experience, particularly for video, email and social media, and excellent proofreading skills, with an eye for clever design.
  • Ability to be flexible, adaptable, manage multiple projects and excel in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
  • Highly organized with outstanding attention to detail.
  • Excellent customer service mindset.
  • Solid project and time management skills essential.
  • A passion for theatre and/or the arts & entertainment a plus.
  • A great sense of humor is a must!

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Salary range: $40,000-$50,000.
  • Health, vision, and dental benefits available, partially subsidized by employer contributions, after a waiting period.
  • 403(b) retirement plan participation available, after a waiting period, with eligibility for an employer match after one year of credited service.
  • Generous PTO accrual based on years of service.
  • Generous paid holiday schedule.
  • Flexible schedule opportunities.

TO APPLY: 

No phone calls please. Qualified candidates should submit whatever they feel best reflects their qualifications. This can come in the form of cover letter/resume, writing samples, portfolios, and demo reels. (files should be less than 3MB in total, links are welcome).

Please submit your materials along with references by Wednesday, April 14, 2021 to TCT’s Marketing Director at:  applications@tctcincinnati.com. Subject Line: TCT CREATIVE PROJECTS MANAGER 2021 

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati believes the stories on our stages and the work we do behind the scenes must reflect the diverse communities we serve. We believe inclusive work cultures spark wide-ranging, exploratory conversations and learning. Therefore, we strongly welcome and encourage people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, and ages to apply as we continue our commitment to diversity and build an inclusive environment at TCT.

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March 31, 2021 · 10:29 am

Cincinnati Opera Announces Reimagined 2021 Summer Festival

CO_Summer at Summit StageSUMMER AT SUMMIT

The company’s return to live performance will move outdoors to Summit Park in Blue Ash, Ohio 

The festival features three productions in repertory this July—CARMEN, TOSCA and THE BARBER OF SEVILLE—to be presented without intermission in specially tailored, ninety-minute versions 

Each production will be headlined by world-class artists, including J’Nai Bridges, Janai Brugger, Rihab Chaieb, Ana María Martínez, Aaron Blake, Stephen Costello, Quinn Kelsey, Chris Kenney, Christian Pursell, Reginald Smith Jr., Morris Robinson, Russell Thomas, and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus 

Conductors Xian Zhang, Renato Balsadonna, and Ramón Tebar will lead the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Cincinnati, Ohio—Fifty years after Cincinnati Opera presented its final open-air season at its first performance home, the Cincinnati Zoo, the company returns to the outdoors for its reimagined 2021 Summer Festival, Summer at Summit. The season will take place July 11-31 at Summit Park, located in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio, and will feature internationally renowned artists, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of Cincinnati Opera’s 100th anniversary season in summer 2020. In September, the company announced plans to return to live performance in summer 2021 at its traditional venues, Music Hall and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend social distancing as a best practice to stem the virus’s spread, and Ohio’s state mandates continue to limit capacity at indoor performance venues. In the interest of audience, artist, and staff safety, the company has opted to transition to an all-outdoor season for its 2021 Summer Festival.

Summit Park was selected as the ideal performance site given its ability to host large-scale stage productions and its capacity to accommodate a significant, socially distanced audience. Additionally, Summit Park offers a central location and an abundance of public amenities, such as parking and nearby restaurants. During Cincinnati Opera performances, audience members will be able to sit together in socially distanced “pods” designated on Summit Park’s Great Lawn, and performances will be presented from an expansive stage constructed at the base of the park’s signature Observation Tower.

Cincinnati Opera’s Summer at Summit includes three beloved operas previously announced as part of the company’s 2021 season—Carmen, Tosca, and The Barber of Seville. Each opera will be presented without intermission in a reduced, ninety-minute version that will be partially staged with costumes, theatrical hair and makeup, and lighting. Opera in the Park, Cincinnati Opera’s season-opening celebration concert, also moves to Summit Park and will kick off the 2021 Summer Festival.

“Music Hall will always be our home, but we are fortunate to have found a gorgeous new venue in Summit Park for our return to the live stage,” said Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera. “Audience members can be assured that our Summer at Summit will have all of the hallmarks they’ve come to love about Cincinnati Opera—glorious singing, inspiring storytelling, and the chance to be swept away by the magic of live performance.”

“The promise of experiencing live singing again in the company of an enthusiastic, in-person audience is the dream that has carried us through this last year,” said Christopher Milligan, The Harry Fath General Director & CEO of Cincinnati Opera. “We’re grateful to the City of Blue Ash for their partnership as we’ve worked together to envision a one-of-a-kind opera-going experience for our community.”

“The City of Blue Ash is excited for this unique partnership with Cincinnati Opera,” said Blue Ash Mayor Marc Sirkin. “Summit Park is an outstanding outdoor venue that will grant attendees enough room to remain safely socially distanced. I’m thrilled that the Opera will be able to perform in the city, bringing a new type of entertainment to residents and visitors alike.”  

The previously announced world premieres of William Menefield and Sheila Williams’s Fierce and Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith’s Castor and Patience, originally planned for summer 2020 and rescheduled for summer 2021, have been postponed once more. Fierce is currently slated to receive its world premiere in fall 2021, and Castor and Patience will receive its world premiere in summer 2022.

“Given the intimate scale of both Fierce and Castor and Patience, their optimum performance environment is an indoor theater,” said Mirageas. “The stories that both operas tell are compelling and important for our time. We look forward to giving these new works the premieres they so richly deserve in the very near future.”

Tickets for Cincinnati Opera’s 2021 Summer Festival will start at $15. Current subscribers will be contacted in April with additional information about their ticket options. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 7. For additional information, including an extensive list of answers to frequently asked questions, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

Cincinnati Opera’s 2021 Summer Festival
SUMMER AT SUMMIT

OPERA IN THE PARK

When & Where:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 | 7:30 p.m.
Summit Park

Cincinnati Opera celebrates the opening of Summer at Summit with Opera in the Park, a free, family-friendly outdoor concert. Opera in the Park will showcase favorite selections from opera and musical theater performed by stars from the 2021 Summer Festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

CARMEN
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
Sung in French with projected translation

When & Where:

  • Saturday, July 17, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 22, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, July 26, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 30, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.

Summit Park

The festival continues with the most popular opera of all time, Georges Bizet’s Carmen. Opera’s quintessential femme fatale, Carmen shows us she’s that and so much more—a fearless, flirtatious force of nature who refuses to answer to anyone but herself. Her confidence attracts the attention of Don José, whose passion turns to obsession, then spirals into madness. When José threatens Carmen with death should she refuse him, she chooses freedom over all. Featuring some of opera’s best-known melodies, from the sultry “Habanera” to the rousing “Toreador Song,” Carmen is an ageless ode to one woman’s fierce independence.

Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, a “rising star” (Los Angeles Times) known for her “plush-voiced mezzo-soprano” (The New York Times), makes her Cincinnati Opera debut as Carmen. Cincinnati Opera favorite tenor Stephen Costello, “a prodigiously gifted singer” (Associated Press), appears as Don José. Soprano Janai Brugger, who appeared most recently with Cincinnati Opera as Clara in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (2019) and Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro (2019), brings her “opulent soprano voice” (Los Angeles Times) to the role of Micaëla. Bass-baritone Christian Pursell offers “power, precision, and congeniality” (Houston Chronicle) as the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Conductor Ramón Tebar, current music director of the Orquestra de Valencia (Spain) and artistic director of Opera Naples, leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and stage direction is by Omer Ben Seadia, recently hailed for her “imaginatively staged” (Cincinnati Business Courier) production of Cincinnati Opera’s Ariadne auf Naxos (2019).

Cast:

  • Carmen: J’Nai Bridges
  • Don José: Stephen Costello
  • Micaëla: Janai Brugger
  • Escamillo: Christian Pursell
  • Zuniga: Burak Bilgili
  • El Remendado: Victor Ryan Robertson
  • El Dancaïro: Thomas Dreeze

Creative Team:

  • Conductor: Ramón Tebar
  • Stage director: Omer Ben Seadia
  • Lighting designer: Thomas C. Hase
  • Costume director: Rebecca Senske
  • Wig & makeup designer: James Geier
  • Sound designer: Jonathan Burke
  • Chorus master: Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

TOSCA
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
Sung in Italian with projected translation

When & Where:

  • Friday, July 23, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 27, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 31, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.

Summit Park

Cincinnati Opera will then present Giacomo Puccini’s glorious Tosca. In the city of Rome during a time of political turmoil, the tempestuous opera diva Floria Tosca is madly in love with the painter Mario Cavaradossi. When Tosca’s lover becomes entangled in a crime and is condemned to death, the lecherous police chief Scarpia insists only one thing can save him: Tosca herself. Tosca is a passionate melodrama suffused with political intrigue—a roller-coaster ride of love, power, and tragedy told through unforgettable music.

Grammy Award-winning soprano Ana María Martínez makes her Cincinnati Opera debut as Tosca, bringing a voice of “chocolate-rich vibrancy in the low and middle range and … thrilling brilliance at the top” (Opera News). Tenor Russell Thomas, hailed for his “heroically shining tone of exceptional clarity and precision” (Opera, U.K.), returns to Cincinnati Opera as Cavaradossi after last appearing with the company in 2016 (Florestan, Fidelio). In his company debut, the “superb” and “virile-voiced” (The New York Times) baritone Quinn Kelsey sings the role of Baron Scarpia. Conducting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Music Director Xian Zhang. Stage director is Jose Maria Condemi, director of opera and musical theater at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Cast:

  • Floria Tosca: Ana María Martínez
  • Mario Cavaradossi: Russell Thomas
  • Baron Scarpia: Quinn Kelsey
  • Cesare Angelotti: Michael Sumuel
  • Spoletta: Julius Ahn

Creative Team:

  • Conductor: Xian Zhang
  • Stage director: Jose Maria Condemi
  • Lighting designer: Thomas C. Hase
  • Costume director: Rebecca Senske
  • Wig & makeup designer: James Geier
  • Sound designer: Jonathan Burke
  • Chorus master: Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
Music by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Cesare Sterbini
Sung in Italian with projected translation

When & Where:

  • Saturday, July 24, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 29, 2021 | 8:30 p.m.

Summit Park

Based on the play of the same name by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, The Barber of Seville introduces us to Figaro, the titular barber bursting with bravado. He’s enlisted by the lovelorn Count Almaviva to win the heart of the clever and comely Rosina. With whimsy, wit, and plenty of woo, The Barber of Seville reminds us that, as Beaumarchais once said, “Where love is concerned, too much is not even enough.”

Mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb brings “sheer dramatic charm and vocal clarity” (San Francisco Chronicle) to the role of Rosina, after last appearing with the company as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (2019). Appearing as Almaviva is Cincinnati Opera favorite tenor Aaron Blake, whose voice was hailed by The New York Times as “endearing and sweet-sounding … with youthful fervor and stamina.” Making his company debut as Figaro is baritone Chris Kenney, a recent alum of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s prestigious Ryan Opera Center Ensemble. Singing the role of Doctor Bartolo is baritone Reginald Smith Jr., who last appeared with Cincinnati Opera as Jake in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (2019) and in the company’s recent digital Winter Festival production of Opera…from a Sistah’s Point of View. Bass and Cincinnati Opera Artistic Advisor Morris Robinson, whose recent engagements with Cincinnati Opera include a star turn as Porgy in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (2019), is Don Basilio. Acclaimed conductor Renato Balsadonna leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and stage director is Joshua R. Horowitz, making his company debut.

Cast:

  • Rosina: Rihab Chaieb
  • Count Almaviva: Aaron Blake
  • Figaro: Chris Kenney
  • Doctor Bartolo: Reginald Smith Jr.
  • Don Basilio: Morris Robinson
  • Berta: Wendy Hill

Creative Team:

  • Conductor: Renato Balsadonna
  • Stage director: Joshua R. Horowitz
  • Lighting designer: Thomas C. Hase
  • Costume director: Rebecca Senske
  • Wig & makeup designer: James Geier
  • Sound designer: Jonathan Burke
  • Chorus master: Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus

Tickets and Additional Information

Tickets to Cincinnati Opera’s 2021 Summer Festival start at $15. Current subscribers will be contacted in April with additional information about their ticket options. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 7. For additional information, including an extensive list of answers to frequently asked questions, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

About Summit Park
Summit Park, located in the center of Blue Ash, is a beautiful, 130-acre world-class park that provides exciting, year-round events, activities, and unique learning opportunities. Experience a breathtaking 360-degree view of the tristate in the free Observation Tower, explore the Naturescape playground, discover trails, catch a fish in the pond, take your furry friend to the dog park, and dine in one of four outstanding on-site restaurants. In the winter months, the park offers unique and affordable fun with ice skating and sledding. Summit Park is also an exceptional venue for national and regional entertainment, and it is the perfect site for your next gathering or event. 

To learn more, visit summitparkblueash.com.

About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists. 

Cincinnati Opera receives support from ArtsWave, the Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. 

To learn more, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

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