Sure, it’s great to get critical acclaim from folks at The Kansas City Star and The Independent. What’s even better is hearing what our audience members thought of a production. Here’s your chance — click “leave a comment” below to post your review!

A scene from the piano dress rehearsal tonight of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. Enjoy!

Jon-Michael Ball has busily been rehearsing the role of Ralph (pronounced Raif) Rackstraw in the Lyric Opera production of HMS Pinafore. Mr. Ball recently answered a few questions posed by our readers.

1.  How did your initial interest in the art form of opera begin?

Jon-Michael: My high school choir teacher was an opera singer.  She took me to see my first opera, and she was in it as well!!  She sang Fresquita in Carmen.  I have loved opera ever since.

2.  Where did you grow up?

Jon-Michael: I grew up in a small town in north Mississippi, Olive Branch.  It’s a suburb of Memphis, TN.

3.  Do you have a significant other? Children? Pets?

Jon-Michael: It’s just me.  I’m always open to suggestions!!!  No kids yet and no pets, but I love dogs!!!

4.  What is an average day like for you? Do you have a set routine?

Jon-Michael: No set routine really, I workout and try to practice at least 2 hours a day.  

5.  What is your favorite opera to watch/experience?

Jon-Michael: This one is tough.  I loved watching Cinderella with Joyce DiDonato when I was an apprentice at Santa Fe Opera back in 2006.  However, I wish I could have been in it!!!

6.  Have you performed your role in H.M.S. Pinafore before?

Jon-Michael: This is my first time singing Ralph in H.M.S. Pinafore.   

7.  What language(s) do you speak fluently?

Jon-Michael: English.  I did study in Austria, so I can fake my way through a German conversation.  But, I’m really rusty!! 

8.  What facts about you would our audiences be surprised to learn?

Jon-Michael: Most people would never guess that I’m a southerner.  My accent went out the window after studying so many languages.

9.  The opera role you haven’t performed, but would like to perform the most in your career?

Jon-Michael: Wow, another tough one.  I love singing Lensky in Eugene Onegin, but I also love singing Tamino in The Magic Flute, but I also love sing Rodolfo in La bohème, but I also love singing Ottavio in Don Giovanni…I like sitting at the buffet of repertoire, and constantly filling my plate!!!   A dream role for me would be Chevalier des Grieux in Manon Lescaut.

10. If you bumped into me at a coffee shop and learned that I had never been to an opera before, what would you say to entice me to give it a try?

Jon-Michael: Well first of all, I would apologize.  I hate bumping into people, and I hope you didn’t spill your coffee.  If you did happen to spill, I’d offer you free tickets to the show that I was currently doing, H.M.S. Pinafore of course!!  I’d tell you, if you have never seen an opera, that this would be the perfect one for you.  First, you’d get used to people randomly bursting into song and second, you’d love the dancing and the costumes and the orchestra and the amazing sets and all that wonderfully witty British humor!!!! And of course….me as Ralph!

“Dick Deadeye!” This name, emphasized with sharp diction and a hint of evil is the character Matthew Treviño portrays in this season’s production of HMS Pinafore.

At a recent afternoon rehearsal Treviño, along with Daniel Belcher (Captain Corcoran), Jon-Michael Ball (Ralph Rackstraw), Stephen Fish (Bob Beckett), Robert McNichols, Jr. (Bill Bobstay), Ava Pine (Josephine) and Deborah Fields (Little Buttercup) were gathered in the Lyric Opera rehearsal space to block several scenes for the upcoming Gilbert and Sullivan comedy.

Treviño, dressed in his everyday attire, gave a taste of his character and the strong presence Dick Deadeye has on stage. As stage director William Theisen blocked a scene involving Ralph Rackstraw, Little Buttercup and Bill Bobstay, Treviño’s character leapt on stage calling attention to himself as he called out his own name “DICK DEADEYE!” in a way that caused the other characters to tremble in fear. With his hunched back and wicked facial features, this character is going to be quite entertaining to watch from the audience.

The rehearsal continued with a scene involving the male characters Captain Corcoran, Ralph Rackstraw, Bob Beckett, Bill Bobstay, and of course Dick Deadeye. When in character, the quintette fed off each other’s energies and were each fully involved in their individual characters. When out of character, it seemed like five good friends sharing laughs and enjoying one another’s company. There is no doubt about it that there is chemistry across the board in the HMS Pinafore cast and you can witness it yourself on opening night!

Ava Pine

1. How did your initial interest in opera begin?

Ava: I actually came to opera quite late — within the last five years.  Before that, I did a lot of singing with choirs, solo oratorio works, and some early baroque opera.  It was one particularly fun baroque piece that led me to pursue the more theatrical side of my singing.

2. Where did you grow up?

Ava:  I am a born and bred Texan, and grew up in Fredericksburg, Texas, in the Texas Hill Country.  My home sat on 50 acres, and we basically had the run of the place.  It was so much fun!

3. Do you have a significant other? Children? Pets?

Ava: None of the above, but I do have a beautiful niece, age 2.5, and a nephew, who is almost 1 year old.

4.  What is an average day like for you? Do you have a set routine?

Ava: My average day varies, depending on the project I am working on.  One of the things that I love about my job is the fact that there is no set routine.  Every day is a new challenge.

5.  What is your favorite opera to watch/experience?

Ava: La bohème is one of my very favorites.  The music is so poignant and lush, and the stories and people are so real.  There is a reason it is so popular!   

6. Have you performed your role in H.M.S. Pinafore before?

Ava: This is my first time to perform Josephine, and actually my first time to perform any Gilbert and Sullivan.  I’m very excited!   

7. What language(s) do you speak fluently?

 Ava: Just English! 

8. Tell us something unique about you?

 Ava: Well, my name is pronounced AH-vuh…it rhymes with ‘brava.’  And there’s a fun story that goes with it — I was actually given that pronunciation in part because my mother craved avocados when she was pregnant with me.  No joke!  

9.  What facts about you would our audiences be surprised to learn?

Ava: One of my first professional singing gigs was performing the National Anthem at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic — for a crowd of several thousand country music lovers.  Willie introduced me.  My dad writes and performs country music, and always pushed me in that direction.  Opera was my rebellion!  

10.  If you bumped into me at a coffee shop and learned that I had never been to an opera before, what would you say to entice me to give it a try?

Ava: I’d say “Have you ever felt something so strongly that you didn’t know whether to cry, or laugh, or scream?  Singing is the ultimate form of expression.  It’s emotion, distilled down to its essence.”  Now that might not be as applicable to a more frothy piece like HMS Pinafore…but that’s what I love the most about opera!

Greer Grimsley and Lisa Daltirus

The reviews are in, and it’s unanimous — Tosca is a hit!

Paul Horsley of The Independent said “the season-opening production, which debuted September 11 at the Lyric Theatre, features one of the best lead casts that the company has ever assembled, at least in recent memory, and it had me utterly engaged for three hours.” Read the entire review here.

Tim McDonald of The Kansas City Star said “This is a production that shouldn’t be missed — an example of regional opera at its best.” Read the entire review here.

What do you think? Do you agree or have a different opinion? Share your thoughts by clicking “leave a comment” below.

Tivol has generously provided the gorgeous jewelery worn by our dynamic diva in Act II of the Puccini classic, opening tonight. Here’s a sneak peek at the beautiful pieces — and the process behind selecting them — before they make their Lyric Opera debut. Thank you, Tivol!

Mary and Ryann consider choices

Tracy and Mary display the goods

A close-up view

Lisa models Tivol jewelry

In this excerpt of an aria from Puccini’s Tosca, Lisa Daltirus (who sings the title role) laments the difficult choice facing her, to save the love of her life. The Lyric Opera of Kansas City production runs September 11 – 19, 2009. Tickets can be purchased at www.kcopera.org.

Paul Horsley of The Independent previews the Lyric Opera production of Puccini’s Tosca, opening this Friday. In it, Lisa Daltirus (Tosca) discusses reality television and her character’s love of God and art.

Check out the story here.