Names of Note: Opera Modesto steps in quickly after COVID-19 hits Sacramento troupe
Opera Modesto helped out when COVID-19 suddenly struck a fellow troupe.
The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera had prepared a one-time staging of “The Barber of Seville” on Saturday, May 7. Six of the seven lead cast members then tested positive for the virus, starting on May 5.
The management began contacting other opera companies around Northern California for substitute performers, said an email from Roy Stevens, general director of Opera Modesto. It didn’t hurt that his company had staged the Rossini classic in 2017.
Modesto soprano Liisa Dávila reprised her starring role of Rosina after getting a call at 10 a.m. Saturday. Stevens, a baritone, agreed in the early afternoon to take on the comic role of Dr. Bartolo.
The emergency cast also included tenor Victor Cardamone and baritone Tim Murray from the San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellowship Program.
“Opera Modesto is glad we were able to help save the day for our friends and colleagues with the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera,” Steven said. “The opera world is a small community of hard-working, talented people who care. Individually for Liisa Dávila and myself, it was a hair-raising adventure that was also great fun!”
The opera was staged at the sold-out SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, two years later than planned due to the pandemic.
Opera Modesto completed its own live 2021-22 season with the May 1 performance of “La Boheme” at the Gallo Center for the Arts.
A filmed version of its production of “The Race,” inspired by Aesop’s Fables, will play at the State Theatre through Sunday, May 15.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published May 14, 2022 at 11:25 AM.
