Michael Ballam stepped into the spotlight last night to welcome the audience to the Utah Festival Opera's 12th season.

Ballam started the company in 1993 as the general director, and the festival has already made its way to the top of Money Magazine's list of summer opera companies.

Following the premiere of Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto," the public mingled with the artists at the Festival's outdoor Café des Artistes.

"'Rigoletto' promises to be a most riveting performance," said James Marvel, director of the opera. "In this production, I have worked much more slowly than I have ever worked before to make absolutely certain that each shift of tactic or emotion is clear, motivated and resonant. My hope is that you will leave the theater thrilled, elated and exhausted from this emotional tour-de-force, which Verdi himself referred to as his 'perfect opera."'

Leading lady, Jennifer Welch-Babidge, is from the Metropolitan Opera. She is in Logan this summer to gain experience playing Gilda, who she will also play this fall at the Metropolitan Opera.

Also here from New York is Michael Corvino, who is a favorite of the New York City Opera.

"He [Corvino] was here last year in our Nabucco," said Darla Seamons, director of marketing and public relations for the festival. "Anyone who is familiar with that performance and enjoyed it will be excited to see him again on our stage."

Karen Keltner, who is returning for the eight consecutive year, is conducting "Rigoletto."

"She [Keltner] is a real favorite of the audience," Seamons said. "They enjoy watching her conduct."

Along with "Rigoletto," the Festival consists of three other productions.

Tonight, the "Secret Garden" will premiere, followed by "La Cenerentola" (Cinderella) Friday night and "Brigadoon" Saturday night.

"I grew up watching opera and I thought the performances were first-rate, professional quality opera," said Eric Samuelson, a theater professor at BYU. "It is colorful, lots of neat sets, pretty costumes, really gorgeous music. It is a fabulous opportunities for students to expand their cultural horizons. If you are not going to expand your horizons in college when are you going to get around to it?"

The productions run Tuesday through Saturday alternating the plays each night through Aug. 7.

For more information go to www.ufoc.org.



Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Jul 2004