Jose Rubio Performing "Cosi" at Revamped Tacoma Opera

Jose Rubio

We have a particular affection for the regional opera companies. They not only bring opera to people who may never have the opportunity to attend the Met or the San Francisco Opera, but they often produce some of the most innovative and exciting opera. Most singers who go on to great careers hone their craft at these companies and many will tell you that some of their best work was at a regional opera.

The Tacoma Opera sits in the shadow of the Seattle Opera with its internationally acclaimed performances of The Ring. Like all arts organizations they've faced their challenges, but they've revamped their company and are rolling out three fan favorites this season, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, Verdi's La traviata and Peter Brooks' adaptation of the Bizet classic, La tragédie de Carmen.

Jose Rubio sings the Silvo-Nedda duet with Megan Hart:

The Tacoma Opera is partnering with the Tacoma Symphony for two of the operas and giving more members of the Young Artists program an opportunity to perform onstage with better known artists. Noel Koran, who took over the company in January, will also direct two of the operas. He's also cast fan favorite Jose Rubio as Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, which should add some luster to the season. Rubio is a graduate of the Portland Opera Studio, which was one of last year's beneficiaries of the Barihunk Charity Calendar.

The Tacoma Young Artists will perform a fully staged version of La Tragédie de Carmen.

The season opens on November 2nd with Cosi fan tutte. Visit their website for additional performance information or to purchase tickets.

Barihunks Heating Up The Pacific Northwest

Two young barihunks will be singing at smaller opera companies that sit in the shadow of the esteemed Seattle Opera. Joshua Jeremiah is new to Barihunks and he is a welcome addition. He is yet another singer who came through the Seattle Young Artists Program. Others include Michael Krzankowski, Jonathan Lasch, Michael Todd Simpson, David Adam Moore, Morgan Smith and Tom Forde (see below).Visit the Spokane Opera website for ticket information.

Joshua Jeremiah will playing the role of Silvo in Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci," a role that we rarely see on Barihunks. However, we hear that Jeremiah will be sans shirt, which should be a good enough excuse to visit Spokane (as witnessed from the photo). We would like to welcome this talented young singer to the site.



Another graduate of the Seattle Opera Young Artists Program is Tom Forde, who has appeared on this site before. He's making his debut as the title character in Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro." Forde has a rich voice and winning stage personality, so he will undoubtedly triumph in this role. We understand that he spent some extra time at the gym to ensure that he looked great in his costume. Visit the Tacoma Opera website for ticket information.
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