Opera Under The Stars Returns

Now in its second season, the Mill City Summer Opera has secured an all-star cast for Rossini’s comedic masterpiece including mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson who made her New York Metropolitan Opera stage debut on February 15, 2013, in the company’s production of Parsifal. Johnson has also appeared with Glimmerglass Opera, Minnesota Opera, Boston Pops Orchestra, EOS Orchestra, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Nashville Opera, Opera Lafayette, Portland Opera Repertory Theater, and the New Hampshire Music Festival.

Also joining the production is acclaimed baritone Lucas Meachem as Figaro, Taylor Stayton as Count Almaviva,  and Jake Gardner as Doctor Bartolo. Soprano Jessica Medoff-Bunchman will perform the role of Berta.

“We are thrilled to have performers of this caliber join our cast,” said Artistic Director David Lefkowich. “As a New Yorker working across the country with multiple opera companies, it is a delight to hear the buzz that this new Minneapolis arts organization has created. Our venue along the historic riverfront and the creative energy and talent in Minneapolis have created something very special. Audiences are in for a treat with Rossini’s tale of love and deceit.”

Some of the sponsors for this year’s Mill City Summer Opera season include founding sponsor, the General Mills Foundation and RBC Dain Rauscher, Fredrikson & Byron, Dorsey, AccruHealth and Fritz Kroll (Edina Realty).

Early Ticket Purchases Encouraged

In the opera company’s first season, tickets sold out in mid-June, well ahead of the July performance dates. MSCO’s stirring debut production of Pagliacci was heralded as a new highlight on the region’s performance scene that brought together a diverse audience of both opera buffs and a rousing new audience of all ages.

Said Karen Brooks, founder and executive director, “Our mission is to provide world-class opera that is both accessible and intimate. The outdoor ruins setting makes this a unique experience; we heard from many last year that this was their first opera. The audience can have dinner at any of the great spots along the river and then come enjoy a glass of wine with good friends while they sit outside and hear world-class opera. We are so grateful to our early supporters and to our sponsors for helping us bring this to the Twin Cities."

Ticket Prices: 

• Opening Night, July 13, all seats: $150
• July 15, 17, 19, 21: $30, $50 and $75
• Discount for Minnesota Historical Society Members

Tickets for The Barber of Seville performed by the Mill City Summer Opera(MCSO) go on sale to the public beginning May 20 for five performances: July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Sales begin online at 12 a.m. May 20, 2013 (tickets.mnhs.org), and from 10:00am to 5:00 p.m. May 20 in person at the Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2^nd St, Minneapolis MN 55041 or by phone by calling 612-341-7582. More information is available at www.millcitysummeropera.org.