The Barber of the Cape

May 16, 2025

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Description

Opera in the Pines presents The Barber of the Cape, an immersive, world-premiere adaptation of the beloved opera, The Barber of Seville. This production is a true celebration of Maine’s people, key industries—lobstering, seafood, and tourism—and the distinctive culture that makes the state so special.

Set at the Cape Neddick Lobster Pound, The Barber of the Cape transports the classic story into a contemporary Maine setting. The tale follows Rosie, a clumsy waitress preparing for the bustling tourist season. When Rosie catches the eye of a visitor from Manhattan, her protective, tourist-hating uncle Bart, the restaurant’s owner, intervenes, sparking a comedic whirlwind of mistaken identities, love, and the quirks of our friends “from away.” In a unique twist, the audience will become part of the story itself, enjoying the performance as guests of the restaurant.

The Crucible

May 17, 2024

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Description

Opera in the Pines presents the Maine premiere of Robert Ward’s The Crucible in an immersive theater experience that summons the audience as the jury of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. When the women of Salem are accused of witchcraft, we witness the betrayal of an entire community; the ruthlessness of the prosecutors, the eagerness of neighbor to testify against neighbor, and the destructive power of socially sanctioned violence. This haunting reminder of witch hunts throughout history, that still exist in the present day, forces us to confront the fundamentals of human nature and question the systems by which power is sustained, challenged and lost.

The Crucible was commissioned in 1961 by the New York City Opera. With a libretto by Bernard Stambler, the opera is based directly on the Arthur Miller play and famously inspired by the McCarthyism of the 1950s. Miller implied that the Red Scare once again sacrificed innocent people to public hysteria. When he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1956, Miller refused to supply names of people he met years before at an alleged communist writers’ meeting. Ward’s operatic version went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and a New York Music Critics Circle Citation.

In this new adaptation where the roles of the classic play are reimagined, we will feature a cast entirely of Maine singers with professional ballet dancer, Grace Koury, of Portland Ballet. We are proud to include the professional debut of rising soprano and Standish native, Mia Love, in the role of Abigail Williams, and welcome back Abi Levis, a South Portland native, in the role of Elizabeth Proctor. Abi Levis has been recognized as one of the most exciting and versatile performers of her generation, performing with LA Opera, Utah Opera, Dallas Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Deutsche Oper Berlin, among others.

Lucidity

November 21, 2024

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Description

This intimate chamber opera sheds light on the tragedy of dementia and all those it touches. Lili, an elderly singer and composer with early dementia, struggles with her son, Dante, who has given up his career as a pianist to care for her. Dr. Klugman's study on music and memory brings Sunny, a young clarinetist, into their orbit. What is the connection between music and memory? Facing the challenge of this all-too-human condition demands the utmost in courage and sacrifice.

The Ugly Duckling

September 23, 2024 - December 20, 2024

Description

As a part of Tri-Cities Opera's Opera-Go-Round series for schools, the Resident Artists will perform Andrew Duncan's The Ugly Duckling across New York throughout the 24/25 season.

Bar Crawl Bohème

May 10, 2023 - May 12, 2023

Description

Opera in the Pines will present Bar Crawl Bohème, an immersive, community-focused adaptation of the operatic classic La bohème, performed by and for Mainers in a first of its kind bar crawl across the state! Many of us might already be familiar with the traditional version that inspired the musical Rent, featuring various scenes in the lives of four struggling artists: a poet, a painter, a musician and a philosopher. One Christmas Eve, their neighbor, the seamstress Mimì, knocks at their door, asking for a light for her candle. She quickly falls in love with the poet, Rodolfo, and their lives are changed forever. Our Bohemians attempt to find their way despite the dark realities of the world in this timeless story of the magic of first love, the special innocence of youth, and the devastation of loss. This opera was first composed by Giacomo Pucci between 1893 and 1895 to an Italian libretto based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger. Our libretto, adapted by Kristine McIntyre and updated by Sable Strout, will take place in 2019 Maine, with no idea what the new year will have in store. We invite opera lovers and new audience members alike to become an integral part of our story for themselves and join us in a genuine celebration of Maine, its people and the emerging craft beer, wine and liquor industry.

LEARN MORE HERE: https://www.operainthepines.com/bcboheme