Two barihunks in Lizzie Borden world premiere

David McFerrin & Daniel Mobbs

We can't think of a better opera to promote on Halloween than Jack Beeson's Lizzie Borden. The Boston Lyric Opera is presenting a new chamber version of the piece at their Opera Annex on November 20, 22, 23 and 24.

Of course, we all remember the basic synopsis from the children's rope-skipping rhyme: "Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one."

For those of you who don't know the story, Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted in the 1892 axe murders of her father and stepmother in Fall River, Massachusetts. There has been controversy ever since about her guilt or innocence.

Boston Lyric Opera has commissioned a new chamber version of the work, which premiered in its full-length, three act version at the New York City Opera on March 25, 1965. The revised piece is in seven scenes and stars two singers who have appeared on this site, Daniel Mobbs as the father and David McFerrin as Captain Jason McFarlane.

For additional information or to purchase tickets call 617.542.6772 or email boxoffice@blo.org.