Gazette photo by Bob Zellar. Singer Pablo Elvira of Bozeman clowns a bit as he talks about the upcoming ``Barber of Sevile'' production. He will play the part of Figaro. A major fund drive is being launched this week.

Singer Douglas Nagel, with Billings roots, will join the Rimrock Opera Co. in the role of Dr. Bartolo.

Opera company debuts tonight

`Barber' marks opening show for ambitious company

Gazette Entertainment Editor

Opera buffs, rejoice! Your hour is at hand.

After taking nearly two years to plot its strategy, the Rimrock Opera Company will debut ``The Barber of Seville'' tonight and follow with a Sunday encore of the time-honored classic, all produced through a new Montana company.

``The Barber of Seville'' will be produced this Friday, Nov. 19, and Sunday, Nov. 21 at the Alberta Bair Theater, with internationally known baritone, Pablo Elvira performing the role of Figaro.

The board of the ambitious company includes a mix of musicians and businessmen and other opera lovers, who believe an opera company will make a difference to the community. A full chorus, conducted by David Barnett of MSU-Billings, and a 30-piece pit orchestra, complement the production.

According to longtime Billings teacher and travel agent, Lloyd Mickelson, ``We think we're doing something historic for the community and we are happy to have involved so many in the region in our endeavor.''

The comic opera in two acts has been in fervent rehearsals since Monday, although many of the singers have sung the roles in other productions and have been privately rehearsing for months. The opera will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. Besides Elvira, Billings native Douglas Nagel, now singing in San Francisco, will play the part of Dr. Bartolo. Other acclaimed singers from around the country will join a ``strong local contingent, Mickelson says, to complete the production. A chorus and 30-piece orchestra will enhance sets and costumes from New York.

Elvira has sung with Pavarotti, Domingo, Sutherland and Sills and was instrumental in the Intermountain Opera productions in Bozeman and hopes to follow ``Barber'' with ``Carmen,'' Madame Butterfly,'' ``La Traviata,'' ``LaBoheme'' and others endash ``maybe even the grand `Aida,' with the deeper stage of the ABT,'' he says. ``I never had that in Bozeman.''

The board of directors is still involved in a major fund-raising campaign to furnish support of the production and future operas on the ABT stage.

Director Robert Stivanello, a friend of Elvira's, has directed productions in Mexico, the U.S., Venezuela and Elvira's native Puerto Rico. He directed the highly praised production of ``Tosca'' for Bozeman's Intermountain Opera Association and was featured by Peter Jennings on ABC TV's World News tonight.

Elvira is contributing his time and money in the organization of the massive project and many others are contributing their time,Mickelson said, including lawyers and arts buffs Jim Thompson and Larry martin who donated their expertise in getting the group non-profit status. Elvira, known as the world's greatest Figaro, has sung in many of the world's great opera houses and hopes to gain media attention with this latest endeavor.

Michekson is still seeking sponsorships as well as memberships to Rimrock Opera Company, noting that the production will help commemorate the 402th anniversary of opera as an art form.

The two-act opera will be performed at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the ABT. Tax deductible memberships range from $100 for an individual to $150 for family and $500 for corporate.

The history of opera in Billings dates back to July of 1882 when the first opera house opened with the Boston Comic Opera. ``It was only one month after the town was platted,'' Mickelson said, indicating that the city's love of opera has continued through the century. The Billings Opera House burned down in 1906 but touring companies performed on the Babcock's stage until it, too, was gutted by fire in 1935.

The ROC board is encouraged that productions of ``Die Fledermaus,'' ``The Magic Flute,'' ``The Mikado,'' and ``Pamelia,'' among others ``have been marvelously staged and received here. We have high hopes. Now we have done the groundwork and we need the support.''