Osborn Replaces Flórez in Lyric's 'Barber of Seville'

Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez has been forced to cancel all performances in Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of The Barber of Seville February 16-March 22 due to a throat infection, Lyric's general director William Mason announced today.

Doctors in Parma, Italy, have advised Flórez that he should not resume his professional obligations at least until mid-March.

American tenor John Osborn will replace Flórez in the role of Count Almaviva for the 12 scheduled performances of Rossini's comedy.

An Iowa native, John Osborn debuted at San Francisco in 2006 as Almaviva, opposite the Figaro of baritone Nathan Gunn, with whom the tenor will collaborate in Lyric's production. Having first sung Almaviva at Vancouver Opera, Osborn has since triumphed in the role at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Vienna State Opera, Berlin State Opera, Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires, Teatro Municipal in Santiago, and on tour in Japan and China with Seiji Ozawa. The role brings him to Dresden's Semperoper later this season.

Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) by Gioachino Rossini will be presented in 12 performances:

Feb. 16, 19, 22, 26, 29, Mar. 3, 6 (ma), 9 (ma), 12 (ma), 15, 19, 22.

Sung in Italian with projected English titles. Gioachino Rossini's comic masterpiece, which had its Lyric Opera premiere in 1954, has been heard in 11 subsequent seasons, most recently in 2000/01. Baritone Nathan Gunn assumes the title role of the wily Figaro.

The opera centers on his machinations in uniting the lovely Rosina (mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, debut) with her beloved "Lindoro" (tenor John Osborn), who turns out to be the aristocratic Count Almaviva. Adding to the intrigue are Dr. Bartolo (baritones Philip Kraus Feb. 16-22, Andrew Shore Feb. 26-Mar. 22), Rosina's guardian, who would like to marry her himself; and Don Basilio (bass-baritone Wayne Tigges), Rosina's music teacher. Donato Renzetti will conduct this beloved Magritte-inspired production by stage director John Copley, set and costume designer John Conklin, and lighting designer Duane Schuler. Donald Nally is chorus master. Il barbiere di Siviglia is The Mr. and Mrs. Ben W. Heineman Production. The revival is generously made possible by Mr. & Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross.

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