The season begins with A Bel Canto Evening, BSO’s first ever fundraising concert, on Friday April 10th at 7:30 PM at Arlington Street Church, the home of many past BSO performances. This concert features musicians who will be featured throughout the upcoming season. The program will begin with a Mozart set, in honor of BSO’s first ever show, Don Giovanni, followed by a contrasting French set. The second half is devoted entirely to bel canto repertoire, with arias from L’elisir d’amore, Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. Especially exciting will be performances by esteemed baritone and Boston Conservatory professor David Small, who starred in BSO’s Rigoletto last summer. A reception will follow.

L’elisir d’amore by Gaetano Donizetti is the first mainstage show of the summer. This fully realized production will be directed by Becca Allen and conducted by Boston Summer Opera’s Resident Music Director Luca Antonucci. Performances will take place on Friday June 5th at 7:30 PM at Arlington Street Church and Sunday June 7th at 8 PM at Arts at the Armory in Somerville.

Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini follows in August. Like last summer’s The Pirates of Penzance, this production will be a collaboration with the Horizon Ensemble, led by Julian Gau, and directed by BSO Executive Director Hannah Shanefield. Performances will take place on Saturday August 22nd at 7:30 PM at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church and Sunday August 23rd at 3 PM at the Boston Synagogue.

Additionally, there will be concerts at Lasell Village on May 7th at 7:30 PM, Waterstone at Wellesley on June 14th at 2 PM, and the Boston Synagogue on August 10th at 7 PM. Internally, BSO is excited to host bel canto masterclasses led by David Small, as well as stage combat masterclasses led by Becca Allen, further investing in the professional development of Boston based artists.

Through A Bel Canto Summer, Boston Summer Opera deepens its commitment to artistic excellence, community partnership, and accessibility. With discounts for students and seniors, free admission opportunities for EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders, and performances expanding all across the Greater Boston area, we invite both longtime opera lovers and first time audience members to experience the magic of bel canto!