Knoxville Opera returns to the Tennessee Theatre with its first mainstage production since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The production is Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele, which tells the iconic story of "good versus evil." This grand-scale opera features a chorus of over 100 singers, an on-stage orchestra, brass choirs placed throughout the theatre, scenes rising from the orchestra pit, and, of course, stunning costumes, sets, and soloists. Boito's music is romantic and dramatic, with lush orchestrations, similar to the style of Verdi. Due to its large size, Mefistofele is rarely performed and is sure to be a special treat for those who attend.
Morning Concert host, Melony Dodson, spoke with two of the soloists: bass-baritone, Hidenori Inoue (singing the role of Mefistofele) and soprano, Abigail Santos Villalobos (singing the role of Margherita), to get to know them and their characters a little better. Their stories of how they became professional opera singers are fascinating and surprising!
Tickets and additional information are available at https://knoxvilleopera.com