Two stars from the opera world will perform Friday for the resuscitated San Diego Opera – and a limited number of tickets are available.
Tickets can be purchased in the loge for $170 and the balcony from $20 to $50. All other sections are sold out for the recital at the Balboa Theatre, on Fourth Avenue outside Horton Plaza.
The show features married stars – soprano Ailyn Pérez and tenor Stephen Costello. They have performed with the San Diego Opera before, appearing in “Romeo and Juliet,” “Faust,” “The Daughter of the Regiment” and “Moby Dick.” Friday’s show is their only scheduled West Coast appearance of the fall.
They recently released an album together, “Love Duets,” which includes compositions by Verdi, Puccini and Bernstein. The performers are accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra on the recording.
Leading critics, according to the San Diego Opera, have called Perez and Costello, married since 2008, for their chemistry, and each have received Richard Tucker Awards, which observers describe as the Heisman Trophy of opera.
The San Diego Opera was on the verge of closure in March, when leaders announced they did not have enough money to host another season. Through a combination of civic support, increased donations and trimmed expenses, along with leadership shifts, the opera managed to stave off collapse.
The opera will celebrate its 50th anniversary in January when performances open with La Boheme, continuing with Don Giovanni and Nixon in China.
