Opera Returns to Baltimore

On his blog yesterday, the Baltimore Sun's Tim Smith reported that Giorgio Lalov and Jenny Kelly have succeeded in their goal of bringing opera to Baltimore next season, as reported here earlier. In lieu of their hoped-for four productions, they are offering two performances: "The Barber of Seville" and "Rigoletto," with the Sofia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and an as-yet-to-be-determined cast.

In the meantime, Baltimore's chamber opera companies will make sure there's opera in the city this summer. At Baltimore's Artscape festival, the Baltimore Concert Opera presents "The Life and Music of Maria Callas" on July 17, Opera Vivente will perform "I Hear American Singing" on July 18, and American Opera Theater offers "A Pilgrim's Solace" (built around songs of John Dowland) on July 19. And it's all free.