Three World-Premiere Operas, April 1-2
March 15, 2011
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Two evenings of scintillating contemporary opera will be presented by The Figaro Project—a new collective of young singers from metropolitan Baltimore—on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2, at the University of Baltimore. Spotlight UB, the University's live performance program, will host the event, featuring the world premieres of a trio of operas written by local composers. The performances will take place in the Student Center Performing Arts Theater, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave. Both performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Founded in 2009 by soprano Caitlin Vincent, The Figaro Project has quickly developed into a full-fledged opera troupe, and a place for young performers from the area to mine their talents. With the encouragement and support of Baltimore's many opera fans, The Figaro Project is an indicator of the resilience of the art form and its impact on a new generation. The troupe's roster includes local luminaries such as Jessica Abel, Paul Mathews, Younggun Kim, and Vincent herself.
The April concerts feature a trio of new one-act operas: Paul Mathews' Piecing It Apart, Douglas Buchanan's Lux et Tenebrae, and Joshua Bornfield's Strong Like Bull.
Each opera will be fully staged, with a program featuring 13 emerging singers from greater Baltimore. The program will be conducted by Jim Stopher, and directed by Stephanie Miller, William Schaller and Vincent. Admission is free of charge.
Mathews is a 2006 Excellence In Teaching award winner, and the associate dean for academic affairs at the Peabody Conservatory. His works have been performed by the New York New Music Ensemble, New Horizons Chamber Ensemble and the Peabody Opera Theater. He has been recognized by Meet the Composer, the Maryland State Arts Council, and ASCAP.
Buchanan received a Presser Award in March 2009, and has been commissioned by The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Baltimore. He has also composed for television and film.
Bornfield is a D.M.A. composition student at the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University, and has had works commissioned and performed by members of the United States Army Field Band, the Toronto Opera, Shreveport Opera, Eastern Michigan University, and the wildUp Modern Music Collective of Los Angeles.
Reduced rate parking is available on event nights at UB's Maryland Avenue Garage, located on Maryland Avenue between Biddle and Chase streets, or in the Fitzgerald Garage on Oliver Street; a voucher will be provided at the box office, and the UB shuttle is available to transport patrons between the venue and the garage.
Complete details about the Spotlight UB 2010-11 season are available here. For more information about Spotlight UB, send an e-mail to spotlightub@ubalt.edu.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Public Affairs and the Merrick School of Business.