Benjamin Britten’s seldom-performed opera, Albert Herring, is heard this summer when singers from the Merola Opera Program return to the Cowell Theater this month. The comic tale of a virginal young man who spends one wild night out on the town is a delightful romp for the young artists of the Merola Program.
Named for Gaetano Merola — San Francisco Opera’s first General Director — the Merola Opera Program is a 12-week summer training program that features classes and public performances of operas to give young artists a comprehensive education at an early point in their career. The intensive program is considered to be the foremost in the country for aspiring singers, coaches, and stage directors. Although an independent organization, the Merola Opera Program operates in collaboration with the San Francisco Opera Center and the San Francisco Opera.
This production stars tenor James Rodgers in the title role. The conductor is Merola alumnus Mark Morash and the director is Peter Kazaras.
For more information, see July 18 in the calendar. Visit www.merola.org for more information on the Merola Opera Program.
— Jovanne Reilly
Images:
Albert Herring: James Rodgers, Photo: Lori Smith Photography, Ellen Wieser, Photo: Claire McAdams, Eugene Chan, Photo: David Bazemore
Merola Takes The Stage
