February, 2009   
For immediate release 

Figaro Re-imagined in Klondike Gold Rush as the Barber of Barrhead

Calgary, AB – Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artists perform – The Barber of Barrhead – with a public performance on March 1, 2009 at 2:00pm at the Arrata Opera Centre, and a school tour throughout southern Alberta during the month of March. Tickets available through Calgary Opera box office at (403) 262-7286 or online at www.boxoffice.calgaryopera.com.

You’ve never heard The Barber of Seville quite like this before!  The Barber of Barrhead takes Figaro from his usual home in Seville, Spain, to Barrhead, Alberta, a bustling Gold Rush town teeming with gold prospectors set on making their fortunes. Adapted by Ann Hodges, this one-act opera for young audiences tells the story of Figaro, a barber and jack-of-all-trades, who endeavors to bring the young Al together with his lady love Rosie. Standing in their way is the dastardly inn-keeper Bart, who has fixed the books so Rosie can never pay down her debt to him, and be free to marry Al.

The libretto has been translated into English, with the original rhyme scheme and comedy intact, making it a very fun and accessible opera for all ages.

“In each of these goldrushes there were jack-of-all-trades who kept their noses in all the businesses and made a lot of money, even as barbers,” says adapter and stage director Ann Hodges. “Figaro is just like that, so it made a lot of sense.  There are historical pictures from that time period of miners sitting on a barrel getting a shave.”

The Barber of Barrhead will be touring to the communities of Rocky Mountain House, Canmore, Medicine Hat and Calgary, playing to a total audience of about 8,000 students.  After each performance, students are encouraged to ask questions of the Emerging Artists to further broaden their knowledge of opera.

“It’s just so exciting to bring opera to young people. They’re so honest,” says Emerging Artist Benjamin Covey, who will be performing the role of Figaro.  “You’re giving them that seed, so they can see what opera is really about and they can be proud of that.”

Calgary Opera acknowledges the generous support of Production Sponsor Industrial Alliance Pacific, Community Outreach Sponsor EnCana, Emerging Artist Sponsor Enbridge and Alberta Lotteries.

- 30 -

For further information, please contact: Alex Bonyun, Calgary Opera
403-802-3403, or abonyun@calgaryopera.com.