MIDDLEBURY — The Opera Company of Middlebury heads into its 11th season with the riotous Rossini comedy “The Italian Girl in Algiers” (“L’Italiana in Algeri”). The professional singers in this year’s company come from all parts of the country, many of them making their debut with OCM.
It is now a tradition for the OCM singers to present a concert just a few days after they arrive in Middlebury. Appropriately titled “Meet the Singers,” it’s a chance for audiences to get a first look at the first-rate talent in this year’s cast. This year’s “Meet the Singers” is set for Sunday, May 18, at 5 p.m. at the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury.
The singers perform their favorite arias, and after the recital there’s a reception in which singers and audience meet over food and drink.
“Our singers love this part of our program,” says OCM artistic director Douglas Anderson. “They’ve only been in town a few days and suddenly they’re embraced by the community, and made to feel welcomed and admired. It’s just a joyous time. And the recital is always amazing.”
Among the singers joining the company this year are mezzo Cherry Duke, whose credits include the New York City Opera and Glimmerglass Opera; tenor Thomas Glenn, veteran of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, English National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera; and soprano Sarah Cullins of Burlington, who recently returned to Vermont after running an opera program in Colombia for several years.
“This is the best company we’ve ever put together,” says Anderson. “We’ve found that this caliber of singer sounds especially wonderful at the new UU church, which was built with performances in mind and has an excellent bright acoustic.”
The Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society is at 2 Duane Court in Middlebury. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802-382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m.) and at the door, if available.