On Sunday, May 23, 2004, 3pm, Chorus pro Musica and Concert Opera Boston presented Boito’s towering opera, Mefistofele, in concert at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall. “Mefistofele” is based on Goethe's Faust and starred Michelle Capalbo as Marguerite and Helen of Troy, Allan Glassman as Faust, and Raymond Aceto as Mephistopheles. They were joined by Chorus pro Musica, the New England Conservatory Children’s Chorus, and a full orchestra, all under the leadership of maestro Jeffrey Rink.

We are proud to announce that this performance of Mefistofele was taped by WGBH FM radio, 89.7, and was broadcast on "Symphonycast" on Sunday, October 17, 2004, at 2pm.

And the press wrote:

"Conductor Jeffrey Rink and about 250 collaborators blasted the work through the roof of Jordan Hall Sunday and the audience roared its approval. . . . Chorus pro Musica, the official presenter, had one of the major roles as angels, penitents, peasants, witches, and nymphs and sang its collective heart out. . . . The orchestra really poured it on too. . . . Rink conducted most of the opera as if his immortal soul depended on it." Richard Dyer, Boston Globe

"Rink and his chorus and orchestra pulled off a full-throated, vigorous, and exciting concert performance." Lloyd Schwartz, Boston Phoenix

"So sublime was Sunday's performance of not only this great Prologue but also the entire opera at Jordan Hall that it's tempting to wonder if conductor Jeffrey Rink and his Chorus pro Musica made some kind of pact with the devil himself." T. J. Medrek, Boston Herald

We also got many congratulatory messages from those in the audience:

“What a wonderful concert. The prologue alone was worth the price of admission. The rest was a bonus. Thank you!"

“I've seen a lot of operas. This one had greatness about it.”

“The reason I am calling is to say how magnificent the Mefistofele was. One of the most exciting musical events I've attended. Brilliantly conducted, sung, and staged. Absolutely marvelous.”

“A great afternoon at the opera. Mefistofele roared and seduced its way into the hearts and minds of a rapt and full audience at Jordan Hall."

“The best birthday present I ever got!”

Artist Biographies

Michelle Capalbo is most familiar to Boston audiences for her performance in the title role of “Tosca” with the Newton Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Rink. She made her New York City Opera debut in the same role this season. Her other roles  include Aida, Alice Ford in “Falstaff,” Leonora in “Il Trovatore,” Desdemona in “Otello,” the Countess in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” and many others.

Allan Glassman sang the demanding title role in “Otello” with Chorus pro Musica and Concert Opera Boston several seasons ago. Other career highlights include Don Jose in “Carmen,” Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Rodolfo in “Luisa Miller,” and the title role in “Tales of Hoffman.” He sings regularly at the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera as well as with opera companies in Montreal, Frankfurt, Dallas, Nice, the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, NY, and many more.

Raymond Aceto, an American bass, has established an important presence among the world's leading opera companies and symphony orchestras. Mr. Aceto begins the 2003-04 season with the Lyric Opera of Chicago singing Fafner in "Siegfried" and the Old Hebrew in "Samson et Dalila." At the Metropolitan Opera, he will sing the role of Zaccaria in "Nabucco." Other roles in his repertory include the King of Egypt and Ramfis in "Aida," Raimondo in 'Lucia di Lammermoor," Leporello in "Don Giovanni," Escamillo in "Carmen," and Basilio in "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." In 1996, he traveled to Japan for performances and a recording of "The Rake's Progress," with Seiji Ozawa conducting. A graduate of the Metropolitan Opera's Young Artist's Development Program, the Ohio-born bass has appeared frequently with the company.