Futral's free recital is being billed as an "intimate musicale" in support of "bringing grand opera back to Baltimore."
The soprano will be accompanied by pianist James Harp, the director of opera and education at the Lyric, where large-scale opera productions are set to return under the Lyric's own auspices next season.
The recital is "open to the public and free of charge, other than a cash bar," says Kathleen A. Grayson, the Lyric's director of external relations. "People should simply call 410-900-1163 to make reservations.
"One purpose of this event is to reach out to the former BOC subscribers and patrons who lost ticket money in the bankruptcy. This goodwill effort is an opportunity to wet the appetite of our opera loving community and announce our upcoming 2011-2012 season." Grayson says. "In March '11 we will offer another similar event which will preview the upcoming season..."
The event begins at
6 p.m. Dec. 12 with the cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. A champagne reception will follow.
Lyric Opera Baltimore, launched by the Lyric Foundation, will debut in November 2011 in the substantially renovated opera house with Futral singing the lead role in Verdi's "La Traviata." Productions of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and Gounod's "Faust" are scheduled in 2012.
SUN FILE PHOTO