On Site Opera's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO to Run 6/14-17

Just four years into its existence, On Site Opera (OSO) has established itself as one of New York City's most imaginative, nimble opera companies by doing more than simply staging musically and dramatically rich works outside of the opera house. OSO's team of General & Artistic Director Eric Einhorn, Music Director Geoffrey McDonald and Executive Director & Producer Jessica Kiger have pushed the boundaries of operatic storytelling, producing operas in locations that allow singers and audiences alike to immerse themselves in the narrative. Reviewing the first chapter of The Figaro Project, in which OSO is staging lesser-known operatic adaptations of French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais' (1732-1799) famed trilogy of Figaro plays, Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times wrote, "This visionary company could be on to something big." He noted that the "space proved ideal for the intrigues of the opera." On Site Opera continues this ambitious three-year undertaking June 14-17, when it presents the North American premiere of Marcos Portugal's The Marriage of Figaro (1799). The production, presented in partnership with The New School's Mannes School of Music and The Portuguese Consulate in New York, will take place at 632 on Hudson, a stunning triplex in the West Village that will serve as Count Almaviva's summer palace. The Figaro Project will conclude with the U.S. premiere of Darius Milhaud's The Guilty Mother (1966) in the summer of 2017.

Performances of The Marriage of Figaro will take place June 14-16 at 7:30 pm and June 17 at 6:30pm and 9:00pm. Tickets for the run are sold out, but a waiting list is available at www.osopera.org or by phone at 866.811.4111. Running time is approximately 100 minutes. Sung in English in a translation by Gilly French and Jeremy Gray, with dialogue adapted by Joan Holden.

Portuguese composer Marcos Portugal's (1762-1830) prolific catalog of over 70 dramatic works - including 40 operas, and more than 140 sacred works - earned him unparalleled international success in 18th-century Europe. He secured a special place in Portuguese musical history by composing the first official national anthems of Portugal and Brazil. Portugal's La pazza giornata o sia il matrimonio di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), with a libretto by Gaetano Rossi, was written for Carnival season of 1800 at the Teatro San Benedetto - just 13 years after Mozart's Figaro. This North American premiere production gives New York audiences a rareopportunity to hear Portugal's vibrant music - with its beautiful melodies, buoyant comedy and moving pathos - in a fado-inspired re-orchestration by guitarist Jose Luis Iglesias and OSO's Geoffrey McDonald, based on the new critical edition of the score edited by David Cranmer. >From the moment the doors open, audience members will be surrounded by the world and characters of the opera. Before the opera begins, patrons can visit the many rooms of 632 on Hudson to see the world of the opera already in progress. The performance itself will feature singers and audience members moving throughout the three stories of the venue as the opera progresses.

The Marriage of Figaro will be conducted by On Site Opera's Music Director, Geoffrey McDonald, and directed by the company's General & Artistic Director, Eric Einhorn. The accomplished cast includes Jesse Blumberg (baritone) as Figaro, Ashley Emerson (soprano) as Susanna, David Blalock (tenor) as Count Almaviva, Camille Zamora (soprano) as Countess, Melissa Wimbish (soprano) as Cherubino, Margaret Lattimore (mezzo-soprano) as Marcellina, Ryan Kuster (bass-baritone) as Don Basilio, David Langan (bass-baritone) as Don Bartolo, Ginny Weant (soprano) as Cecchina, and Antoine Hodge (bass-baritone) as Antonio/Gusmano. The production features costume design by Haley Lieberman and lighting design by Shawn Kaufman.

2016 marks continuation of a growing partnership between On Site Opera and New School's Mannes School of Music. As part of the partnership, OSO will be in residence at Mannes during rehearsals for Portugal's The Marriage of Figaro. Opportunities for Mannes students are created within OSO productions, on- and offstage. In addition to Mannes School of Music, On Site Opera is excited to partner with the Portuguese Consulate in New York to welcome this opera to New York.

In September 2016, OSO will present a Double Bill of monodramas at The Harmonie Club including Dominick Argento's Miss Havisham's Wedding Night and Hector Berlioz's La Mort de Cleopatre (The Death of Cleopatra). A collaboration with the string quintet Sybarite5, the Double Bill features soprano Leah Partridge as Miss Havisham and mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert as Cleopatra. Additional details and tickets to be announced this summer.

In 2017, in addition to the final installment of The Figaro Project, OSO joins forces with The Atlanta Opera in the spring for a co-production of Mozart's The Secret Gardener (La finta giardiniera) to take place at New York's West Side Community Garden before travelling to Atlanta. This production marks a bi-city first for the two companies, the first time that either has expanded beyond the borders of their respective home cities.

About The Marriage of Figaro Performers

Baritone Jesse Blumberg (Figaro) is equally at home on opera, concert, and recital stages, performing repertoire from the Renaissance and Baroque to the 20th and 21st centuries. His performances have included the world premiere of The Grapes of Wrath at Minnesota Opera, Bernstein's MASS at London's Royal Festival Hall, various productions with Boston Early Music Festival, and featured roles with Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera, and Boston Lyric Opera. Recital highlights include appearances with the Marilyn Horne Foundation, New York Festival of Song, and Mirror Visions Ensemble. He has performed major concert works with American Bach Soloists, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Boston Baroque, Oratorio Society of New York, Apollo's Fire, Charlotte Symphony, and on Lincoln Center's American Songbook series. Jesse has been featured on over a dozen commercial recordings, including the 2015 Grammy award-winning album of Chamber Operas by Charpentier recorded with Boston Early Music Festival. He has been recognized in several competitions, and was awarded Third Prize at the 2008 International Robert Schumann Competition in Zwickau, becoming its first American prizewinner in over thirty years. Jesse holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and is also the founder of Five Boroughs Music Festival, which brings chamber music of many genres to every corner of New York City. www.jesseblumberg.com

With her sparkling voice and stage presence, soprano Ashley Emerson (Susanna) has been described as a "vocal and dramatic delight." In the 2015-16 season, she returns to the Metropolitan Opera for William Kentridge's new production of Berg's Lulu and for performances of Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro. Last season, Ms. Emerson performed Soeur Constance in Dialogues des Carmelites at Washington National Opera, Tebaldo in Don Carlo in a new production for Opera Philadelphia, and Blondchen in Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail with Des Moines Metro Opera. At the Met, she was heard as Barbarina, Papagena in Die Zauberflote, and the Bloody Child in Macbeth. Future engagements include her first performances of Gretel in Hansel und Gretel at Seattle Opera, leading roles with Theatre du Capitole Toulouse, Opera National de Bordeaux, The Dallas Opera, and On Site Opera, and returns to the Metropolitan Opera. At the Met, which serves as her artistic home, Ms. Emerson has been seen in over 130 performances of a dozen roles, spanning such repertoire as Hansel and Gretel, Le Comte Ory, Die Frau one Schatten, Nico Muhly's Two Boys and the baroque pastiche The Enchanted Island. http://www.cami.com/?webid=2020

American tenor David Blalock (Count) is becoming widely known for his beautiful lyric voice and widely ranging repertoire. He begins the 2015-2016 season as Ricky in the world premiere of Jeremy Howard Beck's The Long Walk at Opera Saratoga. Other current engagements include Handel's Messiah and Pong (Turandot) with the Pacific Symphony, a Viennese Operetta concert with the Richmond Symphony, Beethoven's Choral Fantasy at UN Assembly Hall with the Shanghai Symphony, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well in Paris with Performance Santa Fe, a return to Virginia Opera as the Steersman in The Flying Dutchman, and Toby in Sweeney Todd at Mill City Summer Opera. In the 2014-2015 season, Mr. Blalock sang Jaquino in Beethoven's Fidelio with Madison Opera, Don Ottavio in North Carolina Opera's production of Don Giovanni, Jonathan Dale in Silent Night with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Toby in Sweeney Todd at Virginia Opera, Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Paisiello) with On Site Opera, and debuted as Rodolfo in La Boheme with Greenville Lyric Opera. As a Virginia Opera Emerging Artist during the 2013-2014 season, David Blalock was seen as First Priest in The Magic Flute, Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos and Le Remendado in Carmen. In the spring of 2013, David made his Fort Worth Opera debut as Young Thompson in Tom Cipullo's Glory Denied. David has also recently completed his second summer as an apprentice with The Santa Fe Opera, singing Bertram in Rossini's La Donna del Lago, and Infirmary Patient in the world premiere of Theodore Morrison's Oscar. http://www.davidblalocktenor.com

In repertoire ranging from Mozart to tango, and in collaboration with artists ranging from Pla?cido Domingo to Sting, soprano Camille Zamora (Countess) has been heralded for her "dignity and glowing sound" (The New York Times) in "luminous, transcendently lyrical" performances (Opera News) that "combine gentility and emotional fire" (Houston Chronicle). Highlights of Camille's current season include performances at the US Capitol with Yo-Yo Ma; concerts of classic tangos with Fort Worth Symphony and Florida Orchestra; and five new operatic productions, including a tour de force double-bill of La Voix Humaine and I Pagliacci with Opera Columbus, and the principal soprano in Hindemith's The Long Christmas Dinner with American Symphony Orchestra, the live recording of which was named one of Opera News' Best Albums of 2015. Other highlights include Twin Spirits: Clara & Robert Schumann with Sting at Lincoln Center; Mozart heroines with Boston Lyric Opera, Anchorage Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, and Virginia Opera; La Voix Humaine with Auckland Opera, Opera Columbus, Phoenicia Festival, and Bay Chamber; performances with Orchestra of St. Luke's, London Symphony Orchestra, and Guadalajara Symphony; and live recital broadcasts on NPR, BBC Radio, Deutsche Radio, and Sirius XM. Hailed by NBC Latino and Congressional Hispanic Caucus as a leading interpreter of Spanish repertoire, she has performed and recorded principal roles in La Verbena de la Paloma, La Revoltosa, La Tabernera del Puerto, and Luisa Fernanda. The Co-Founder of the arts non-profit Sing for Hope and a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, Camille is a graduate of The Juilliard School. www.camillezamora.com

Soprano Melissa Wimbish (Cherubino) was the recent Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 NATSAA Competition along with the Franco-American Award for best interpretation of French repertoire. Praised by The New York Times for her "stylish singing" and by The Boulder Daily Camera as "simply incredible...the highlight of the entire evening," she is consistently recognized for her artistry, technical prowess, and captivating stage presence. Recently appearing as Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro with Lyric Opera Baltimore, the young soprano did not go unnoticed with Opera News noting her "promising soprano" while The Baltimore Sun praised her "bright voice" and "knack for animating phrases." During the 2015/16 season, Ms. Wimbish will perform Ligeti's Mysteries of the Macabre with Concert Artists of Baltimore followed by her portrayal of Josephine Baker in Tom Cipullo's new, one-woman opera Josephine which was named one of Anne Midgette's (Washington Post)top picks to see this spring. At the Kennedy Center, she will make her debut with Washington Ballet as the soprano soloist in Carmina Burana.After performing the title role in their inaugural production, The Tale of the Silly Baby Mouse, Ms. Wimbish is pleased to return to On Site Opera as Cherubino in the North American premiere of Marcos Portugal's The Marriage of Figaro this summer. Her Carnegie Hall recital debut in October 2016 will present works by living composers Tom Cipullo, Jake Heggie, Jessica Meyer, and Gregory Spears. Melissa fronts the indie chamber rock band Outcalls and lives in Baltimore with her blind dog, Scarlett and her mute cat, Billy. Learn more about her at www.melissawimbish.com.

Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano Margaret Lattimore (Marcellina) has been praised for her "glorious instrument" and dubbed an "undisputed star...who has it all - looks, intelligence, musicianship, personality, technique, and a voice of bewitching amber color," by the Boston Globe. While she began her career singing the florid works of Handel, Rossini, and Mozart, Ms. Lattimore recently expanded her repertoire to include the works of Mahler, Verdi and Wagner making her one of the most versatile mezzo-sopranos performing today. This season, Lattimore sings Mrs. Patrick DeRocher in Dead Man Walking at New Orleans Opera, Marcellina in Marcos Portugal's The Marriage of Figaro with On Site Opera, Bach's B-minor Mass with Soli Deo Gloria under Maestro John Nelson, Beethoven's 9th Symphony with Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica and Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Johnstown Symphony's annual Opera Gala, and Verdi's Requiem with Opera Grand Rapids and Bozeman Symphony Orchestra. In future seasons, Ms. Lattimore will return to the Metropolitan Opera for several productions. After winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions at the age of 24, Margaret Lattimore became a member of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Dorotea in Stiffelio with Placido Domingo and later appeared in the PBS Great Performances broadcasts of Stiffelio and Madama Butterfly. She would go on to sing many roles at the esteemed house including Meg Page in Falstaff and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby (both under the baton of the James Levine). www.margaretlattimore.net

Bass-baritone Ryan Kuster (Don Basilio) is gaining national recognition for his recent critically acclaimed appearances as Escamillo in Carmen at opera companies across the country. Colorado's Daily Camera wrote, "Baritone Ryan Kuster possesses a swaggering virility in the role of Escamillo..The character has the most famous of all the opera's many great tunes, and Kuster's delivery does not disappoint." This season's engagements include Angelotti in Tosca with Dallas Opera, Masetto in Don Giovanni at Arizona Opera, Bartolo in Marcos Portugal's The Marriage of Figaro with On Site Opera, and Escamillo in Carmen with Arizona Opera. In recent seasons, Mr. Kuster made his symphonic debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic singing the role of Masetto in their highly acclaimed production of Don Giovanni, directed by Christopher Alden, with costumes by Rodarte, and led by Mo. Dudamel. Additionally, Ryan sang Alidoro in La Cenerentola for Nashville Opera and Opera Saratoga; Masetto in Don Giovanni with Cincinnati Opera; appeared in Dallas Opera's production of Turandot; performed Angelotti in Tosca with Orlando Philharmonic, Madison Opera and Pacific Symphony; Colline in La boheme with Arizona Opera; was Bass Soloist in Handel's Messiah with the Milwaukee Symphony; and Brutamonte in Schubert's hidden gem Fierrabras for the Bard Music Festival. He also returned to Wolf Trap Opera to debut the title role of Don Giovanni and made his National Symphony debut performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. www.ryankuster.com

David Langan's (Don Bartolo) vast professional operatic repertoire spans many of the major bass-baritone roles, among them Mephistopheles in Faust, Sarastro & Sprecher in Die Zauberflote, Colline in La Boheme, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Don Alfonso Cosi Fan Tutte, Seneca in L'Incoronazione di Poppea, Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, CountWalter in Luisa Miller, andLordGualtiero Walton in I puritani. He has appeared as a principal singer in close to 800 performances with opera companies throughout North and Central America, as well as Europe. San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, Vancouver Opera, Theater Hansestadt Lubeck, Osnabruck Stadttheater, Wolf Trap, Sarasota Opera, Opera Colorado, as well as the opera companies of Guatemala City, Dallas, Atlanta, Austin, Chautauqua and New Orleans, among others, have all been beneficiaries of Mr. Langan's work. He also appeared as the King in Verdi's Aida on the PBS Great Performance series opposite Placido Domingo. He has shared the stage as principal singer with many of today's finest performers including Renee Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Joyce DiDonato, Eric Owens, Mirella Freni, and Lawrence Brownlee. Among his faculty appointments were posts at Westminster Choir College, Indiana University and Shenandoah Conservatory. Mr. Langan grew up in Middletown, NJ, has vocal performance degrees from Rowan University (BA) and Indiana University (MM), and currently resides in Ridgewood, NJ. He is married to Cristobel Langan, who is employed as a stage manager at The Metropolitan Opera, and is the father of seven year old twins, Jamie & Sophie.

Soprano, Ginny Weant (Cecchina), is from Salisbury, North Carolina and is in her second year Masters at Mannes School of Music. Recent opera credits include, The Shepherd Boy with Apotheosis Opera's Tannhauser, and "Opera Scenes: from Handel to Heggie" with Mannes Opera. Equally at home on the musical theater stage, Ginny recently performed her off-off broadway debut as Fiona with St. Jean's Player's production of Brigadoon. Other credits include Hairspray, Godspell, Antigone, Anything Goes, and Kiss Me Kate. Ginny has also performed with regional opera companies, Martha Cordona Theatre, and Vocal Productions NYC. This upcoming spring, she will be joining fellow Mannes and Juilliard students as Despina in Cosi fan tutte, and will be performing her Master's Recital in April. Ginny holds a Bachelor of Music from Kentucky Wesleyan College and will complete her Masters with Mannes in Spring of 2016.

Bass-baritone Antoine Hodge (Antonio/Gusmano) is quickly gaining widespread attention across the country for his versatility, commanding stage presence, and strong bass voice. Praised by Opera News as a "dramaticaly compelling" artist with a "sonorous and vocally secure" instrument, the 2015?2016 season will bring more company premieres and operatic role debuts, including Antonio/Gusmano in Portugal's Marriage of Figaro with On Site Opera, Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata with Ash Lawn Opera, Ferrando in Il Trovatore with Winter Opera St Louis, and as the bass soloist in Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass with Litha Symphony Orchestra. The 2014?2015 season, showcased Antoine in a return to a favorite in his repertoire as King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Central City Opera. He also made his debut as bass soloist in Gerald Finzi's In terra pax with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and a New York City premiere as Sam in Un ballo in maschera and Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Regina Opera Company.