Melrose Symphony Orchestra Opera Show Returning For 1 Night Only

MELROSE, MA — A specific performance is returning to the Melrose Symphony Orchestra’s lineup for the third straight year by popular demand.

The MSO’s Opera Night is back for one night only on Saturday, March 7 at Memorial Hall on 590 Main St. The performance is slated to begin with a lesson of Opera’s historical significance by Maestro Yoichi Udagawa. The feature presentation of the night, four soloists, will then take center stage.

Soprano Mara Bonde has been a professional singer for two decades. The Western Massachusetts native graduated from Mount Holyoke College and went on to graduate school at Boston University, where she earned a degree in Master of Music in vocal performance. In addition, Bonde was a Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and was one of only 12 singers chosen to study with Joan Sutherland at the Britten-Pears School in England.

Bonde has played key roles in performances for the Boston Lyric Opera, Reagle Music Theatre, and Sarasota Opera.

Tenor Ethan Bremmer is from the town of Athol, Massachusetts and graduated from Bard College in New York before earning a Master’s degree of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2006. Bremner made his professional debut that same year with the Boston Opera Collaborative. He has since played lead roles in more than five different operas.
“Ethan Bremner is a sought-after powerhouse known for his dramatic versatility and commanding performances in iconic roles,” the MSO said in a statement.

Mezzo-soprano Krista Rivers is a Grammy-winning soloist. She earned the recognition for her 2020 performance as Mrs. Fox in Tobias Picker’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project in the category for Best Opera Recording. The long-time Boston resident earned a music degree in music from St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

“Krista River moves effortlessly between leading roles in Baroque opera and acclaimed performances with the Boston Symphony,” the MSO said.

Baritone Philip Lima rounds out the stars of the performance. Lima is the Artistic Director of The Bostonians, a performing ensemble that has been a staple to the industry for decades. According to the MSO, Lima has participated in more than 70 orchestral appearances throughout his career.

The March performance begins at 8 p.m., Tickets can be purchased online now.

The Orchestra is the oldest performing volunteer orchestra in the country. Udagawa has been the conductor since 1997.

See Also:

Melrose Symphony Orchestra Releases Season Schedule

Melrose Home Sustains Damage After Catching Fire

Melrose Deals With 2 Monday Water Main Breaks