This week on Iowa Public Radio’s Opera in October, the Des Moines Metro Opera provides glorious singing and musical mayhem with Rossini’s comedic Le Comte Ory. Their 42nd Festival Season production of Le Comte Ory will air at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18 and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19.
The story revolves around the conniving Count Ory and his unconventional amorous antics to capture the affections of Countess Adèle. While Count Ory is busy with schemes of seduction, his page Isolier captures her heart. Le Comte Ory features hilarious disguises and romantic overtures, as well as gorgeous vocal lines from the cast. The countess is sung by soprano Sydney Mancasola and mezzo soprano Stephanie Lauricella sings the role of the count’s page, Isolier. Tenor Taylor Stayton stars as the crafty count. Opera Today stated, “If you don’t have the means to get to the Rossini festival in Pesaro, you would do just as well to come to Indianola, Iowa, where Des Moines Metro Opera festival has devised a heady production of Le Comte Ory that is as long on belly laughs as it is on musical fireworks” and Opera News reported, “The extended trio in Adele’s boudoir was an extraordinary stretch of bravura singing and precisely calibrated physical comedy.” Conducted by Dean Williamson and directed by David Gately, with audio recorded by Iowa Public Television, the Des Moines Metro Opera production of Rossini’s Le Comte Ory is sure to lighten up your evening Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on Iowa Public Radio Classical.
