Tobias Greenhalgh in sexy King Arthur in Gärtnerplatz

Tobias Greenhalgh in King Arthur

Tobias Greenhalgh is making his debut at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz with a quartet of roles, including the Cold Genius and Aeolus, in Henry Purcell's King Arthur directed by Torsten Fischer. The director often has the barihunk shirtless, as are most of the male dancers, who are critical to the stage action, which Fischer says is one-third opera, one-third dance and one-third theater. Performances run almost daily through December 18th and tickets and cast information is available online.

King Arthur at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz

King Arthur was first performed in London's Dorset Garden Theatre in 1691. Playwright John Dryden and composer Henry Purcell successfully combined musical theatre, drama, dance and stage magic and set new standards in the culture of British musical theatre. Originally, Dryden had written the text of the drama back in 1684 for the 25th anniversary of the Restoration of the English monarchy under Charles II, but he then had to revise the work completely after the King's death in 1685 and the subsequent squabbles which led to the rise of Catholicism in England.

Tobias Greenhalgh in King Arthur

In the opera, a ferocious war is being waged between England and Saxony, as well as a battle of the hearts. The legendary King Arthur joins battle with the Saxon King Oswald to save his kingdom from heathen rule. But there is more than just political and religious conflict between the two princely enemies – both are in love with and desire the same woman: Princess Emmeline of Cornwall. The sighted heart of the blind princess burns for Arthur, but in the wild confusion of the war, driven by earthly military forces and loose spiritual beings from the infernal realms between life and death, the characters need to survive more than just a physical trial of strength.

Greenhalgh returns to his native America in February, to sing Belcore in Donizetti's L’elisir d’amore with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Alexander Birch Elliott in Valentine's Day Concert; Returning to Portland Opera

Alexander Birch Elliott at the San Francisco Opera

Alexander Birch Elliott, who is wrapping up a run as John Brooke in Mark Adamo's Little Women today, will be featured in a Valentine's concert on Saturday, February 13th with Opera Louisiane. He'll be joined by soprano Chelsea Basler, accompanist Michael Borowitz and cellist Susannah Montandon. They will perform opera arias, duets and Boradway showstoppers. Tickets are available online.

From April 1-5, he'll sing Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with the Orlando Philharmonic. This summer, he returns to the Portland Opera Festival, where he will perform Anthony in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and the title role in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin. He previously performed Frank in Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus and Belcore in Donizetti's The Elixir of Love with the company.

You can read an interview with him on the Madison Opera Blog.

Have Some Coffee and a Silent Night with Gabriel Preisser

Gabriel Preisser

Gabriel Preisser returns to his native Florida to perform Bach's Coffee Cantata with the Orlando Philharmonic Symphony on December 10th. He'll be joined by soprano Ruthie Nelson under the baton of Christopher Wlikins. Tickets are available online.

This foray into baroque repertoire is a switch for Preisser, who has recently made a name for himself performing newer works. He recently created the role of Lt. Gordon in the world premiere of Kevin Putz’s Pulitzer Prize winning Silent Night with the Minnesota Opera. Preisser will reprise this role with the Opera Company of Philadelphia in February 2013, where he'll be reunited with fellow barihunk Liam Bonner who is singing the role of Lieutenant Audebert.

Liam Bonner sings Lieutenant Audebert's aria "J'ai perdu ta photo" from Silent Night:

Other upcoming engagements include Yamadori with the Orlando Philharmonic, baritone soloist in the Carmina Burana with the Atlanta Ballet, and El Gallo in the Fantasticks with Skylark Opera.

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