Opera Pacific Announces More Cast Members for ’89 Productions

Opera Pacific has announced further casting for Bellini’s “Norma” and Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia”, to be given in February, 1989, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

In “Norma,” soprano Nova Thomas will sing the role of Adalgisa and tenor Cesar-Antonio Suarez will take the part of Pollione. Dame Joan Sutherland, in the title role, and conductor Richard Bonynge have been previously announced.

Dates for “Norma” are Feb. 11, 15, 18 and 24.

Thomas was a Metropolitan Opera audition finalist in 1984 and sang Micaela in Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Hamburg State Opera during the 1986-87 season. She is scheduled to appear with the Syracuse, Memphis, Indianapolis and San Diego operas in 1988-89.

The Cuban-born Suarez, who sang Pollione at San Francisco Opera in 1977, appeared in a performance of Verdi’s Requiem with the Pacific Symphony conducted by Keith Clark in April, 1987.

The stage director for “Norma” will be announced later.

In “Barbiere,” mezzo-soprano Gail Dubinbaum will alternate with the previously announced Judith Forst as Rosina. Tenor Vincenzo La Scola will be Count Almaviva.

Dubinbaum will sing on Feb. 19 (matinee), 22 and 25 (evening); Forst on Feb. 17, 19 (evening), 23 and 25 (matinee).

Dubinbaum is a former Metropolitan Opera audition winner and has been heard on numerous occasions in Los Angeles.

La Scola will be making his first United States appearance as Almaviva. A third-prize winner in the Enrico Caruso Competition in 1982, the Palermo-born tenor is scheduled to sing in Venice, Bergamo and Paris in 1988-89.

Previously announced casting also included Pablo Elvira as Figaro and Louis Quilico as Dr. Bartolo.

Casting for Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady,” June 23-30 and July 1-2, will be announced later.