Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
Boston Summer Opera kicks off our 2nd season with a concert performance of Verdi's iconic opera - Rigoletto!
Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to experience one of opera’s most iconic works right in the heart of the city.
Starring renowned baritone David Small in the titular role, this production also marks Colombian tenor David Rivera Bozón’s highly anticipated debut of as the Duca. Soprano Hannah Shanefield returns to the beloved role of Gilda.
Why Rigoletto? Because it has everything: stunning music, raw drama, and tunes you'll recognize even if you've never set foot in an opera house. It is a major work — rarely produced in full outside of big houses — and we’re making it happen with a spirit of accessibility and musical excellence!
Tickets are affordable, vibes are welcoming, and the music is not to be missed. This is opera for everyone.
Cast
Rigoletto: David Small*
Gilda: Hannah Shanefield
Il Duca di Mantova: David Rivera Bozón
Sparafucile: Austin Martin*
Maddalena: Becca Allen*
Count Monterone: Carlo Bunyi*
Giovanna: Alesandra Tamargo Onjiko*
Marullo: Dalton Rowe
Matteo Borsa: Heming Cao
Count Ceprano: Wallace Brown*
Countess Ceprano: Natalia St. Jean*
Il Paggio: Emma West
Court Usher: Louis Shriber
Creative Team
Conductor: Luca Antonucci
Assistant Conductor: Julian Gau
Director: Larisa Bainton Hernandez
Stage Manager: Vanessa Moya
Assistant Stage Manager: Marion Amelia Palmiero*
Cover Cast
Rigoletto: Dylan Evans*
Gilda: Abigail Orr*
Gilda study cover: Sohyun Cho*
Il Duca di Mantova: Kartik Ayysola*
Sparafucile: Johan Hartman
Maddalena: Alesandra Tamargo Onjiko*
Matteo Borsa: Larson Miller*
Chorus
Kartik Ayysola, Sohyun Cho, Mencken Graham*, Quang Ha*, Johan Hartman, Larson Miller, Alesandra Tamargo Onjiko, Abigail Orr, Louis Shriber, Natalia St Jean, Emma West
*Indicates Boston Summer Opera debut
Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
Boston Summer Opera is thrilled to present Rigoletto, an opera in two acts with music by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.
This performance is kindly hosted by The Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville! The audience is welcome to order from their kitchen and bar menu during the performance.
Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to experience one of opera’s most iconic works right in the heart of the city.
Starring renowned baritone David Small in the titular role, this production also marks Colombian tenor David Rivera Bozón’s highly anticipated debut of as the Duca. Soprano Hannah Shanefield returns to the beloved role of Gilda.
Why Rigoletto? Because it has everything: stunning music, raw drama, and tunes you'll recognize even if you've never set foot in an opera house. It is a major work — rarely produced in full outside of big houses — and we’re making it happen with a spirit of accessibility and musical excellence!
Tickets are affordable, vibes are welcoming, and the music is not to be missed. This is opera for everyone.
Cast
Rigoletto: David Small*
Gilda: Hannah Shanefield
Il Duca di Mantova: David Rivera Bozón
Sparafucile: Austin Martin*
Maddalena: Becca Allen*
Count Monterone: Carlo Bunyi*
Giovanna: Alesandra Tamargo Onjiko*
Marullo: Dalton Rowe
Matteo Borsa: Heming Cao
Count Ceprano: Wallace Brown*
Countess Ceprano: Natalia St. Jean*
Il Paggio: Emma West
Court Usher: Louis Shriber
Creative Team
Conductor: Luca Antonucci
Assistant Conductor: Julian Gau
Director: Larisa Bainton Hernandez
Stage Manager: Vanessa Moya
Assistant Stage Manager: Marion Amelia Palmiero*
Cover Cast
Rigoletto: Dylan Evans*
Gilda: Abigail Orr*
Gilda study cover: Sohyun Cho*
Il Duca di Mantova: Kartik Ayysola*
Sparafucile: Johan Hartman
Maddalena: Alesandra Tamargo Onjiko*
Matteo Borsa: Larson Miller*
Chorus
Kartik Ayysola, Sohyun Cho, Mencken Graham*, Quang Ha*, Johan Hartman, Larson Miller, Alesandra Tamargo Onjiko, Abigail Orr, Louis Shriber, Natalia St Jean, Emma West
*Indicates Boston Summer Opera debut
The Jewish American Songbook
An evening of timeless tunes by Jewish composers from the Great American Songbook!
Summer Sounds at Bellforge Arts Center
Free and open to the public! Come hear (the other) BSO artists Hannah Shanefield, David Rivera Bozón, and Jacob LyteHaven perform opera favorites.
Summer Sounds is Bellforge’s signature midweek music series. Each evening showcases two up-and-coming local artists, set against the backdrop of our outdoor campus. With beer garden vibes, refreshing cocktails, and great food options from local vendors, Summer Sounds is the perfect way to recharge midweek. Bring a blanket, grab a drink, and discover your next favorite artist under the summer sky.
The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan
Ahoy, mateys - Boston Summer Opera and the Horizon Ensemble are bringing The Pirates of Penzance to Back Bay!
This fully staged production brings Arlington Street Church’s beloved tradition of performing operetta at the church in the 80’s and 90’s back!
More info to come soon.
Gilbert & Sullivan in Concert: Where Musical Theatre Began!
A end-of-season concert celebrating Gilbert & Sullivan and the cover artists from our Pirates production!
Rigoletto & Friends: The Golden Age of Italian Opera
Join us for an evening of music, wine, and conversation as we present a preview of our upcoming production of Rigoletto!
Don Giovanni
A concert featuring arias from Don Giovanni. Accompanied by Jacob LyteHaven, this performance highlighted our cover artists Daniel Reid, Julia Pottinger, Larisa Bainton Hernandez, and Heming Cao, as well as Johan Hartman, our Commendatore.
Don Giovanni
Our mainstage production of summer 2024!
We are proud to present Don Giovanni, an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte.
The Planets
In collaboration with the New England Conservatory Preparatory School and Boston Festival Orchestra, Boston Summer Opera sang the treble choir in Neptune, the final movement of The Planets by Gustav Holst.
Make Music Boston
In our first ever performance, Boston Summer Opera artists performed operatic and musical theater favorites at Faneuil Hall! Featured singers are Andrew Stack, Johan Hartman, Hannah Shanefield, and Molly Flynn, accompanied by pianist Julian Gau.
Make Music Boston is a live, free musical celebration on June 21, the longest day of the year! Enjoy and participate in concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the city.