Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) opens its new season October 1 at 7:30 PM and October 3 at 3 PM with the company’s first production of “Cavalleria Rusticana,” composer Pietro Mascagni’s one-act verismotale of love, betrayal and death in a small Sicilian village. In a change from its previously announced plans, and to ensure the safest possible performances for audience members, artists, staff and backstage workers, BLO’s “Cavalleria” will open at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston’s Seaport District. The Pavilion’s open-air structure allows BLO to produce large-scale live performances, with full live orchestra and chorus; the venue’s larger capacity means BLO will have two performances instead of the previously announced four.
BLO Music Director and Conductor David Angus will lead BLO’s Orchestra and Chorus.
Giselle Ty, who served as Assistant Director on BLO’s 2016 production of “Werther,” returns as stage director, replacing previously announced stage director Sarna Lapine.
In reflecting on BLO’s return to full performances, Acting Stanford Calderwood General and Artistic Director Bradley Vernatter saluted not only the resilience of the company’s artists, staff, board and supporters, but also a shared belief in the power of music and storytelling.
“We’re aiming to make ‘Cavalleria’ a thrilling return to live opera with full musical forces,” Vernatter says. “The work required to pull off a production of this scale is monumental; it requires an accomplished team and a supportive community. I’ve been proud that BLO has kept artists employed through our digital projects and Street Stage performances during the roughest days of the pandemic. But it’s especially rewarding to provide so many opportunities for artists and production personnel to join us for our first full-length opera, with a complete orchestra and chorus for a live audience, since the pandemic began.”
Vernatter also announced the company will implement COVID safety protocols that align with other area performing arts organizations returning this fall and its own Health Task Force for Opera Artists, the high-profile panel of health-care professionals formed last year to provide medical knowledge and protocol guidance. BLO patrons attending “Cavalleria” at the Leader Bank Pavilion are required to show either proof of full vaccination, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance, or an antigen test taken within the previous 24 hours. Face masks are required for all patrons except when eating and drinking.
Venue and Tickets
Boston Lyric Opera’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” will be performed Fri., Oct. 1 at 7:30 pm and Sun., Oct. 3 at 3 pm at the Leader Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Avenue in Boston’s Seaport District.
Individual tickets range from $10 to $180 plus fees, and will be available Fri., Sep. 10 at blo.org/tickets.
Information about “Cavalleria Rusticana,” next spring’s “Champion: An Opera in Jazz,” access to a new digital production of “Svadba” this winter, and all streaming content on BLO’s operabox.tv, is available at blo.org.
Health and Safety Protocol Details
“Cavalleria Rusticana” will be presented in an intermission-free production designed to ensure
the safest possible artist and audience experience, which Vernatter says is BLO’s top priority.
The company uses recommendations from its Health Task Force for Opera Artists alongside CDC, City of Boston and venue protocols, and artist union recommendations to develop plans for audience, staff and artists. Boston Lyric Opera COVID-19 Policies can be found here.
• BLO will continue to monitor public health conditions, refine protocols as situations change, and send updated details to patrons in advance of their performance dates.
• BLO is committed to institutional flexibility this season and will provide accommodations for patrons who are feeling sick or need to pause their return to the theater. • BLO will provide updated COVID and health protocol information on its website, blo.org.