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The Barber of Seville

PERFORMANCES

March 11, 2022 – 7:30 PM
March 13, 2022 – 2:00 PM

LOCATION

Saenger Theatre

LANGUAGE

Italian with English supertitles

COMPOSER

Gioachino Rossini

LIBRETTIST

Cesare Sterbini

details

Everyone will be yelling “Figaro!” as opera’s peripatetic jack of all trades returns to the Saenger Stage. Popularized by Bugs Bunny as the Rabbit of Seville, Rossini’s ebullient score is filled with one bel canto masterpiece after another. Enjoy the hilarity as Figaro rescues the lovelorn Rosina from Dr. Bartolo, uniting her with her true love, Count Almaviva.

Cast and Creatives

Sidney Outlaw*

as Figaro
baritone

Lauded by The New York Times as a “terrific singer” with a “deep, rich timbre,” baritone Sidney Outlaw’s current season includes Marcello in La bohème with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette with Toledo Opera, and the title role in Don Giovanni with Boston Baroque, as well as concert appearances with Opera Memphis, American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, Jacksonville Symphony, Oratorio Society of New York, and Nashville Symphony.

In recent seasons, Mr. Outlaw sang Schaunard in La bohème with Greensboro Opera, Dizzy Gillespie in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with New Orleans Opera, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Omaha, Salieri in Mozart and Salieri with Opera San Jose, Jake in Porgy and Bess with Greensboro Opera, and Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Pensacola Opera and Opera Saratoga. He made his San Francisco Opera début as the First Mate in Billy Budd, sang Tommy McIntyre in Fellow Travelers with Madison Opera, and he sang Messiah with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony.

Camille Sherman

as Rosina
Mezzo-Soprano

Mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman hails from the California North Bay Area. In the 2019-2020 season, Ms. Sherman returned to the Portland Opera Resident Artist Program, where she was seen on their mainstage as Kate Pinkerton as well as covering Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Sally in A Hand of Bridge, Announcer in Gallantry, and Asteria in the American professional premiere of Vivaldi’s Bajazet. Previous credits with Portland Opera include Flora Bervoix in La Traviata and Ramiro in La Finta Giardiniera, as well as covering roles Hannah After in As One and Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Ms. Sherman also returned to Pensacola Opera in 2019 to make her role debut as Stéphano in Roméo et Juliette.

During the 2017-18 season, Ms. Sherman joined Pensacola Opera as an Artist in Residence, performing the role of María in María de Buenos Aires and the Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha, in addition to covering roles Aldonza in Man of La Mancha and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. Ms. Sherman’s recent seasons include role debuts as the Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos (Berlin Opera Academy, 2017) and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Janiec Opera Company, 2016). In addition to her stage career, Ms. Sherman has also appeared in concert with Nashville Opera and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and will debut with Naples Philharmonic as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah this winter.

Over the last few years, Ms. Sherman has garnered acclaim in several competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions where she was recently named a National Semi-Finalist after having won the Northwest Region, and where she won an Encouragement Award in the competition’s Middle/East Tennessee District the previous year. She was a finalist in the Tier 1 of the James Toland Vocal Arts Competition (2019) and the Brava! Opera Theater Competition (2016). She is a two-time winner of the Kalvelage Memorial Award in the Henry and Maria Holt Competition (2016-17) and secured the Jorge Estebanez Scholarship from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (2016).

During her vocal training, Ms. Sherman was in residence at the Janiec Opera Company and at OperaWorks. Ms. Sherman holds degrees in vocal performance from some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including a master’s degree from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Catherine Cook, and a bachelor’s degree from The Boston Conservatory. In addition to her work as a singer, Ms. Sherman is an experienced pianist, flautist, and musical arranger.

Jonah Hoskins*

as Count Almaviva
tenor

Rising tenor Jonah Hoskins has most recently been chosen as a grand finalist in the Met’s National Council Auditions and is now in his first year in the Lindemann Young Artist Program. Other recent accolades include being a finalist in the Lotte Lenya Competition, where he received the Extraordinary Artistic Promise Award, and first place in the National Opera Association Competition. His past roles include Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Septimius in Handel’s Theodora, and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi with Brigham Young University’s Opera Theater. He has also recently performed with Utah Opera as Benvolio in Roméo et Juliette. The last few summers, he has been a young artist with Des Moines Metro Opera, participated in Ohio Light Opera’s young artist program, and attended Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artists Vocal Academy. He received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 2020.

Matthew Burns*

as Bartolo
bass-baritone

Upcoming engagements for bass-baritone Matt Burns in the 2021-2022 season include Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Pensacola Opera, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola with Annapolis Opera, Sacristan in Tosca with Seattle Opera, and covering roles in Rigoletto and Die Zauberflöte at the Metropolitan Opera. During the COVID-affected 2019-2020 season, he was slated to join the Metropolitan Opera roster for Die Zauberflöte, return to Michigan Opera Theatre as Leporello in Don Giovanni and Opera Omaha as Lorenzo in I Capuletti e i Montecchi, and join Festival Napa Valley for Goodbye Mr. Chips. His 2018-2019 season included Suplice in La fille du regiment with Opera Carolina, Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore with Virginia Opera, Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Roanoke, and Dansker in Billy Budd with Central City Opera.  

A master-interpreter of comedic roles, Mr. Burns is highly sought after as Leporello in Don Giovanni, which he has performed with Utah Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera Cleveland, and Opera Omaha. He is also well-known for his performances of Doctor Bartolo (Opera Roanoke, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Virginia Opera, Opera Omaha, Orlando Philharmonic) and Don Basilio (Dayton Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Sarasota Opera), both in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro (Virginia Opera, Opera Grand Rapids).

Ron Dukes

as Basilio
bass

Ron Dukes completed his Master’s Degree in Opera from IU Jacobs School of Music with a full ride and under the tutelage of Professor Peter Volpe. During his time at IU, Ron has performed many roles with IU Opera Theatre and with local start-up opera companies, including Sarastro, Basilio, Bartolo, Simone, and Oroveso. 

Ron was featured as a Studio Artist with Wolf Trap Opera in 2019, where he played the role of Truffaldino in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos and covered the role of Don Inigo Gomez in Ravel’s L’heure Espagnole. In the summer of 2021, Ron will be joining the Glimmerglass Festival to play the role of Armored Man in their adaptation of Die Zauberflöte and cover the role of Sarastro.  

Ron is thrilled to joining Pensacola Opera as a resident artist to sing the role of Basilio in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and Sarastro in their production of Die Zauberflöte.

Imara Miles

as Berta
mezzo-soprano

Imara Miles is a mezzo-soprano from the DC/Maryland area. Originally a musical theatre performer, she performed in shows such as Guys and Dolls (Gen. Cartwright), The Pirates of Penzance (Ruth), Cinderella (Stepmother), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Title Character) before making her operatic debut in Gianni Schicchi (Zita). Since then she has performed in Dialogues des Carmélites (Mere Jeanne), Bernstein’s Mass (Street Singer), and Blue (Girlfriend #3 cover) with companies like IU Opera Theatre and The Glimmerglass Festival. A recent graduate of Indiana University, Imara received her bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and has been involved with choirs such as NOTUS and the Grant Park Chorus in Chicago as a fellowship artist. Imara was recently awarded an encouragement award in the district round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and this past summer she was a Tomita Young Artist with Finger Lakes Opera.

Jack Chandler

as Fiorello
baritone

Baritone Jack Chandler is from Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Chandler’s recent credits include Belcore (L’elisir d’amore), Le Dancaïre and Morales (Carmen), Bill Bobstay (H.M.S. Pinafore), Schaunard (La bohème), Slim (Of Mice and Men), Claudio (Béatrice et Bénédict), Sir Berkley (Der Vampyr), Mr. Lindquist (A Little Night Music), Sciarrone (Tosca), Stewpot (South Pacific), and Dottore Grenvil (La Traviata). In the 2020-21 season, Jack was an Artist in Residence at Pensacola Opera, where he covered the role of Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen. He also covered the role of Captain Corcoran in the company’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore. Upcoming performances include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) at Florida State Opera in October, and a return to Pensacola to sing Fiorello and the Official in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia in March 2022.

Jack is an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he studied with Vinson Cole for three summers. He earned a master’s degree from Florida State University under the instruction of David Okerlund.

Robert Hartfield

as Ambrogio

Robert Hartfield is an American tenor coming from the farmlands of Kansas and Missouri. He possesses a highly personal singing style, carefully developed under the mentorship of his father, former opera singer Paul Hartfield Sr., and the teachings of legendary baritone, professor Kim Josephson. Robert earned numerous prestigious awards early on in his singing career, including winning six National Association of Teacher of Singing (NATS) competitions. Soon after, he was performing leading roles with opera companies such as Opera in the Ozarks, Cimarron Opera, and the University of Oklahoma Theater. A firm believer in music versatility, Robert’s performances range from Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio to Adamo’s Little Women. In addition, he pursued an undergraduate in organ performance. Robert recently completed his master’s degree in opera performance from the University of Oklahoma. Upcoming engagements include performances with the Central City Opera, Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, and Pensacola Opera.

Jerome Shannon

as Conductor

Praised for his “skill and verve” (New York Times), Shannon celebrates nearly 30 years as a professional operatic pianist, vocal coach, conductor and administrator. During this time, Maestro Shannon has held leadership positions with Sarah Caldwell’s Opera Company of Boston (Artistic Administrator, Assistant Conductor, Conductor), Virginia Opera (Artistic Administrator, Associate Artistic Director, Conductor), Pensacola Opera (Music Director and Principal Conductor, Artistic Director), Shreveport Opera (Music Director and Principal Conductor), Mobile Opera (General and Artistic Director, Principal Conductor) and the Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center (Resident Conductor and Vocal Coach).

Frances Rabalais

as Stage Director

Frances Rabalais is an opera director known for her highly physical and evocative stagings of classic operatic repertoire and new opera works alike. Ms. Rabalais made the shift to directing not long after graduating from Louisiana State University, where she trained as a singer. While pursuing advanced studies at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, Ms. Rabalais directed Weil and Brecht’s Mahagonny Songspiel in 2014 and Il Signor Bruschino as her capstone project in 2016. She was also the assistant director for two mainstage productions at CCM, including a Merry Widow in which Ms. Rabalais was asked to perform for the entire run of the show when a student performing a secondary role took ill.

During her time as a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera (2016-2018) she stage directed the Pennsylvania premiere of As One, and a new production of The Long Walk, which was hailed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as “a smart, chaotic success”. She was the assistant director for ten productions for Pittsburgh Opera over two seasons. Notably including Kristine McIntyre’s production of Moby Dick, Daniel Slater’s The Elixir of Love (the one with the hot air balloon!), and the world premiere of The Summer King. In addition to her involvement all with mainstage and second stage productions, she directed a host of scenes programs, recitals, gala events, and two fashion shows.

Ms. Rabalais is especially interested in stage combat, period movement, and intimacy for the stage. She trains in stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors, learns how to safely stage intimate scenes through classes with both Intimacy Directors & Choreographers and Theatrical Intimacy Educators, and an assortment of dance classes including blues, ballet, contra, and swing.

During her time away from opera in 2020, Ms. Rabalais turned to writing libretti. One about the lives of women working in New Orleans red light district in the early 20th century, and one featuring the speeches of labor rights activist Mother Jones. Both librettos are currently in development as composed works.

Now a freelance director and assistant director, Ms. Rabalais has worked for companies across the United States including Opera Colorado, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Des Moines Metro Opera, New Orleans Opera, Loyola University Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Omaha, Tri-Cities Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Washington National Opera. Upcoming directing engagements include Opera Omaha’s Opera Outdoors Concert, a yet-to-be titled online holiday event with Tri-Cities Opera, and The Barber of Seville with Pensacola Opera.

 

* Pensacola Opera debut artist

Production Team

CONDUCTOR | Jerome Shannon
STAGE DIRECTOR | Frances Rabalais*
SET DESIGNER | Robert Little (courtesy of Tri-Cities Opera)
CHORUS DIRECTOR | Cody Martin
REHEARSAL PIANIST/CONTINUO | Andrew Pham
LIGHTING DESIGNER | Barry Steele
COSTUME DESIGNER | Glenn Avery Breed
HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGNER | Brittany Rappise  
STAGE MANAGER | Shannon Bingham*
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER | Cassy O’Brian*

* Pensacola Opera debut artist

Our Sponsors

Watch

Listen

Extras

Director’s Champagne Brunch

Sunday, March 13 at 11:45am
Cost: $50

Safety Measures

Pensacola Opera and the Saenger Theatre are working together to do everything we can to ensure audience members are safe coming back to live performances. Here are a few things to keep in mind as we prepare to re-enter the theatre: 

Wear a Mask

Audience members will be asked to wear a mask as you move about the Saenger Theatre. 

Health Screenings

Guests entering the theatre may be subject to a health screening questionnaire or temperature check. 

Social Distance

Seating in the theatre has been arranged to ensure social distancing between guests within different parties. 

Digital Programs

To eliminate the added transfer of germs, we've moved to a digital program book which you'll be able to access from your mobile device.

Hand Sanitizer

We encourage all of our guests to take advantage of the hand sanitizer which will be available throughout the theatre.

Unwell? Stay Home

If you're feeling unwell, we encourage you to stay home and take advantage of our livestream experience!

Save the Date

Returning Subscribers

April 28, 2021

New Subscribers

June 7, 2021

Single Ticket Sales Open

August 7, 2021

The Barber of Seville

PERFORMANCES

March 11, 2022 – 7:30 PM
March 13, 2022 – 2:00 PM

LOCATION

Saenger Theatre

LANGUAGE

Italian with English supertitles

COMPOSER

Gioachino Rossini

LIBRETTIST

Cesare Sterbini

details

Everyone will be yelling “Figaro!” as opera’s peripatetic jack of all trades returns to the Saenger Stage. Popularized by Bugs Bunny as the Rabbit of Seville, Rossini’s ebullient score is filled with one bel canto masterpiece after another. Enjoy the hilarity as Figaro rescues the lovelorn Rosina from Dr. Bartolo, uniting her with her true love, Count Almaviva.

Cast and Creatives

Sidney Outlaw*

as Figaro
baritone

Lauded by The New York Times as a “terrific singer” with a “deep, rich timbre,” baritone Sidney Outlaw’s current season includes Marcello in La bohème with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette with Toledo Opera, and the title role in Don Giovanni with Boston Baroque, as well as concert appearances with Opera Memphis, American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, Jacksonville Symphony, Oratorio Society of New York, and Nashville Symphony.

In recent seasons, Mr. Outlaw sang Schaunard in La bohème with Greensboro Opera, Dizzy Gillespie in Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with New Orleans Opera, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Omaha, Salieri in Mozart and Salieri with Opera San Jose, Jake in Porgy and Bess with Greensboro Opera, and Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Pensacola Opera and Opera Saratoga. He made his San Francisco Opera début as the First Mate in Billy Budd, sang Tommy McIntyre in Fellow Travelers with Madison Opera, and he sang Messiah with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony.

Camille Sherman

as Rosina
Mezzo-Soprano

Mezzo-soprano Camille Sherman hails from the California North Bay Area. In the 2019-2020 season, Ms. Sherman returned to the Portland Opera Resident Artist Program, where she was seen on their mainstage as Kate Pinkerton as well as covering Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Sally in A Hand of Bridge, Announcer in Gallantry, and Asteria in the American professional premiere of Vivaldi’s Bajazet. Previous credits with Portland Opera include Flora Bervoix in La Traviata and Ramiro in La Finta Giardiniera, as well as covering roles Hannah After in As One and Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Ms. Sherman also returned to Pensacola Opera in 2019 to make her role debut as Stéphano in Roméo et Juliette.

During the 2017-18 season, Ms. Sherman joined Pensacola Opera as an Artist in Residence, performing the role of María in María de Buenos Aires and the Housekeeper in Man of La Mancha, in addition to covering roles Aldonza in Man of La Mancha and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. Ms. Sherman’s recent seasons include role debuts as the Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos (Berlin Opera Academy, 2017) and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Janiec Opera Company, 2016). In addition to her stage career, Ms. Sherman has also appeared in concert with Nashville Opera and the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, and will debut with Naples Philharmonic as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah this winter.

Over the last few years, Ms. Sherman has garnered acclaim in several competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions where she was recently named a National Semi-Finalist after having won the Northwest Region, and where she won an Encouragement Award in the competition’s Middle/East Tennessee District the previous year. She was a finalist in the Tier 1 of the James Toland Vocal Arts Competition (2019) and the Brava! Opera Theater Competition (2016). She is a two-time winner of the Kalvelage Memorial Award in the Henry and Maria Holt Competition (2016-17) and secured the Jorge Estebanez Scholarship from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (2016).

During her vocal training, Ms. Sherman was in residence at the Janiec Opera Company and at OperaWorks. Ms. Sherman holds degrees in vocal performance from some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including a master’s degree from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Catherine Cook, and a bachelor’s degree from The Boston Conservatory. In addition to her work as a singer, Ms. Sherman is an experienced pianist, flautist, and musical arranger.

Jonah Hoskins*

as Count Almaviva
tenor

Rising tenor Jonah Hoskins has most recently been chosen as a grand finalist in the Met’s National Council Auditions and is now in his first year in the Lindemann Young Artist Program. Other recent accolades include being a finalist in the Lotte Lenya Competition, where he received the Extraordinary Artistic Promise Award, and first place in the National Opera Association Competition. His past roles include Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Septimius in Handel’s Theodora, and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi with Brigham Young University’s Opera Theater. He has also recently performed with Utah Opera as Benvolio in Roméo et Juliette. The last few summers, he has been a young artist with Des Moines Metro Opera, participated in Ohio Light Opera’s young artist program, and attended Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artists Vocal Academy. He received his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 2020.

Matthew Burns*

as Bartolo
bass-baritone

Upcoming engagements for bass-baritone Matt Burns in the 2021-2022 season include Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Pensacola Opera, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola with Annapolis Opera, Sacristan in Tosca with Seattle Opera, and covering roles in Rigoletto and Die Zauberflöte at the Metropolitan Opera. During the COVID-affected 2019-2020 season, he was slated to join the Metropolitan Opera roster for Die Zauberflöte, return to Michigan Opera Theatre as Leporello in Don Giovanni and Opera Omaha as Lorenzo in I Capuletti e i Montecchi, and join Festival Napa Valley for Goodbye Mr. Chips. His 2018-2019 season included Suplice in La fille du regiment with Opera Carolina, Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore with Virginia Opera, Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Opera Roanoke, and Dansker in Billy Budd with Central City Opera.  

A master-interpreter of comedic roles, Mr. Burns is highly sought after as Leporello in Don Giovanni, which he has performed with Utah Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera Cleveland, and Opera Omaha. He is also well-known for his performances of Doctor Bartolo (Opera Roanoke, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Virginia Opera, Opera Omaha, Orlando Philharmonic) and Don Basilio (Dayton Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Sarasota Opera), both in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro (Virginia Opera, Opera Grand Rapids).

Ron Dukes

as Basilio
bass

Ron Dukes completed his Master’s Degree in Opera from IU Jacobs School of Music with a full ride and under the tutelage of Professor Peter Volpe. During his time at IU, Ron has performed many roles with IU Opera Theatre and with local start-up opera companies, including Sarastro, Basilio, Bartolo, Simone, and Oroveso. 

Ron was featured as a Studio Artist with Wolf Trap Opera in 2019, where he played the role of Truffaldino in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos and covered the role of Don Inigo Gomez in Ravel’s L’heure Espagnole. In the summer of 2021, Ron will be joining the Glimmerglass Festival to play the role of Armored Man in their adaptation of Die Zauberflöte and cover the role of Sarastro.  

Ron is thrilled to joining Pensacola Opera as a resident artist to sing the role of Basilio in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and Sarastro in their production of Die Zauberflöte.

Imara Miles

as Berta
mezzo-soprano

Imara Miles is a mezzo-soprano from the DC/Maryland area. Originally a musical theatre performer, she performed in shows such as Guys and Dolls (Gen. Cartwright), The Pirates of Penzance (Ruth), Cinderella (Stepmother), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Title Character) before making her operatic debut in Gianni Schicchi (Zita). Since then she has performed in Dialogues des Carmélites (Mere Jeanne), Bernstein’s Mass (Street Singer), and Blue (Girlfriend #3 cover) with companies like IU Opera Theatre and The Glimmerglass Festival. A recent graduate of Indiana University, Imara received her bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and has been involved with choirs such as NOTUS and the Grant Park Chorus in Chicago as a fellowship artist. Imara was recently awarded an encouragement award in the district round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and this past summer she was a Tomita Young Artist with Finger Lakes Opera.

Jack Chandler

as Fiorello
baritone

Baritone Jack Chandler is from Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Chandler’s recent credits include Belcore (L’elisir d’amore), Le Dancaïre and Morales (Carmen), Bill Bobstay (H.M.S. Pinafore), Schaunard (La bohème), Slim (Of Mice and Men), Claudio (Béatrice et Bénédict), Sir Berkley (Der Vampyr), Mr. Lindquist (A Little Night Music), Sciarrone (Tosca), Stewpot (South Pacific), and Dottore Grenvil (La Traviata). In the 2020-21 season, Jack was an Artist in Residence at Pensacola Opera, where he covered the role of Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen. He also covered the role of Captain Corcoran in the company’s production of H.M.S. Pinafore. Upcoming performances include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) at Florida State Opera in October, and a return to Pensacola to sing Fiorello and the Official in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia in March 2022.

Jack is an alumnus of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he studied with Vinson Cole for three summers. He earned a master’s degree from Florida State University under the instruction of David Okerlund.

Robert Hartfield

as Ambrogio

Robert Hartfield is an American tenor coming from the farmlands of Kansas and Missouri. He possesses a highly personal singing style, carefully developed under the mentorship of his father, former opera singer Paul Hartfield Sr., and the teachings of legendary baritone, professor Kim Josephson. Robert earned numerous prestigious awards early on in his singing career, including winning six National Association of Teacher of Singing (NATS) competitions. Soon after, he was performing leading roles with opera companies such as Opera in the Ozarks, Cimarron Opera, and the University of Oklahoma Theater. A firm believer in music versatility, Robert’s performances range from Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio to Adamo’s Little Women. In addition, he pursued an undergraduate in organ performance. Robert recently completed his master’s degree in opera performance from the University of Oklahoma. Upcoming engagements include performances with the Central City Opera, Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, and Pensacola Opera.

Jerome Shannon

as Conductor

Praised for his “skill and verve” (New York Times), Shannon celebrates nearly 30 years as a professional operatic pianist, vocal coach, conductor and administrator. During this time, Maestro Shannon has held leadership positions with Sarah Caldwell’s Opera Company of Boston (Artistic Administrator, Assistant Conductor, Conductor), Virginia Opera (Artistic Administrator, Associate Artistic Director, Conductor), Pensacola Opera (Music Director and Principal Conductor, Artistic Director), Shreveport Opera (Music Director and Principal Conductor), Mobile Opera (General and Artistic Director, Principal Conductor) and the Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center (Resident Conductor and Vocal Coach).

Frances Rabalais

as Stage Director

Frances Rabalais is an opera director known for her highly physical and evocative stagings of classic operatic repertoire and new opera works alike. Ms. Rabalais made the shift to directing not long after graduating from Louisiana State University, where she trained as a singer. While pursuing advanced studies at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, Ms. Rabalais directed Weil and Brecht’s Mahagonny Songspiel in 2014 and Il Signor Bruschino as her capstone project in 2016. She was also the assistant director for two mainstage productions at CCM, including a Merry Widow in which Ms. Rabalais was asked to perform for the entire run of the show when a student performing a secondary role took ill.

During her time as a Resident Artist with Pittsburgh Opera (2016-2018) she stage directed the Pennsylvania premiere of As One, and a new production of The Long Walk, which was hailed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as “a smart, chaotic success”. She was the assistant director for ten productions for Pittsburgh Opera over two seasons. Notably including Kristine McIntyre’s production of Moby Dick, Daniel Slater’s The Elixir of Love (the one with the hot air balloon!), and the world premiere of The Summer King. In addition to her involvement all with mainstage and second stage productions, she directed a host of scenes programs, recitals, gala events, and two fashion shows.

Ms. Rabalais is especially interested in stage combat, period movement, and intimacy for the stage. She trains in stage combat with the Society of American Fight Directors, learns how to safely stage intimate scenes through classes with both Intimacy Directors & Choreographers and Theatrical Intimacy Educators, and an assortment of dance classes including blues, ballet, contra, and swing.

During her time away from opera in 2020, Ms. Rabalais turned to writing libretti. One about the lives of women working in New Orleans red light district in the early 20th century, and one featuring the speeches of labor rights activist Mother Jones. Both librettos are currently in development as composed works.

Now a freelance director and assistant director, Ms. Rabalais has worked for companies across the United States including Opera Colorado, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Des Moines Metro Opera, New Orleans Opera, Loyola University Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Omaha, Tri-Cities Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Washington National Opera. Upcoming directing engagements include Opera Omaha’s Opera Outdoors Concert, a yet-to-be titled online holiday event with Tri-Cities Opera, and The Barber of Seville with Pensacola Opera.

 

* Pensacola Opera debut artist

Production Team

CONDUCTOR | Jerome Shannon
STAGE DIRECTOR | Frances Rabalais*
SET DESIGNER | Robert Little (courtesy of Tri-Cities Opera)
CHORUS DIRECTOR | Cody Martin
REHEARSAL PIANIST/CONTINUO | Andrew Pham
LIGHTING DESIGNER | Barry Steele
COSTUME DESIGNER | Glenn Avery Breed
HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGNER | Brittany Rappise  
STAGE MANAGER | Shannon Bingham*
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER | Cassy O’Brian*

* Pensacola Opera debut artist

Our Sponsors

Watch

Listen

Extras

Director’s Champagne Brunch

Sunday, March 13 at 11:45am
Cost: $50

Safety Measures

Pensacola Opera and the Saenger Theatre are working together to do everything we can to ensure audience members are safe coming back to live performances. Here are a few things to keep in mind as we prepare to re-enter the theatre: 

Wear a Mask

Audience members will be asked to wear a mask as you move about the Saenger Theatre. 

Health Screenings

Guests entering the theatre may be subject to a health screening questionnaire or temperature check. 

Social Distance

Seating in the theatre has been arranged to ensure social distancing between guests within different parties. 

Digital Programs

To eliminate the added transfer of germs, we've moved to a digital program book which you'll be able to access from your mobile device.

Hand Sanitizer

We encourage all of our guests to take advantage of the hand sanitizer which will be available throughout the theatre.

Unwell? Stay Home

If you're feeling unwell, we encourage you to stay home and take advantage of our livestream experience!

Save the Date

Returning Subscribers

April 28, 2021

New Subscribers

June 7, 2021

Single Ticket Sales Open

August 7, 2021

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