Toledo Opera Brings Tosca and Alex Britton to the Valentine Theatre Stage

Alex Britton (Sciarrone) and Corey Cride (Scarpio) rehearse Tosca for the Toledo Opera

The Truth Staf

Who is Alex Britton?

I am originally born in Columbia, South America my father is from a small island south of Jamaica.  I grew up in Los Angeles, went to school to become a doctor, I had a really bad car accident and realized at a very early age that you should do what you love to do. I came to opera relatively late in my late 20s. I always loved to sing and was always into music as a hobby and as a vocation.

Where did your love for music start?

From my parents and from always being a church. When I was 10 years old, I was in the California Boys Choir… I was exposed very early to very high caliber music. All kinds of music from jazz to classical and everything in between.

Why Opera?

I love every facet of Opera. I also design and build sets. I directed this opera four times. Opera is probably one of the hardest art forms. I’m not sure if people know about it – the sheer physicality of it. To make unamplified sound fill a hall over a 40-piece orchestra is in itself just a real exciting challenge.

Also, it’s an art form that’s usually in a foreign language – so you have to master that language. The acting also has to be impactful. You have to master three or four different things.

What I have discovered is that when a lot of people are exposed to opera but in proximity – in a small place -people feel it on a visceral level that is kind of changing. I experienced that the first opera that I ever saw.

What was your first exposure to Opera?

I was in East Germany, before the wall came down, on a choir tour. We were singing spirituals and all-American music and people loved it. Our guide said that I should sing opera and she took me to one. I went and saw Jerome Hines and Cesar Siepi, two of the greatest basses in the history of opera, in Don Carlos and I was hooked after that… when you feel that vibration that kind of hits you it’s just hard to describe. I find that in opera more than anything else.

Why should we come see Tosca?

This opera was kind of scandalous when it first premiered.  It’s like a telenovela or a James Bond film. The biggest thing is the music – from the start of the first chords the orchestra is playing! It has what I consider some of the best elements of opera: great tunes, tremendous amount of passion, a story of good versus bad, a story of political unrest and violence…the arts are very relevant to today.

What is your role in Toledo Opera’s Tosca?

I play Sciarrone one of the villain’s henchmen. It’s an interesting character. They’re both from Sicily and they’re coming to Rome and the villain Scarpia is trying to put on the trappings of a sophisticated man but he’s from the streets. I’m one of his henchmen and we’re part of a political party that’s at war with Napolean. So, we’re against any kind of republic. We like dictators.

What I love about this company (The Toledo Opera) is that they make things relevant both from a community and inclusive standpoint and a statement on where we’re at.

Alex Britton Biography

Alex Britton, a bass-baritone, has sung leading roles with Opera Salamanca in Spain, Teatro de las Bellas Artes in Medellin, Colombia, West Bay Opera in Palo Alto, CA, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Pacific, LA Metropolitan Opera, and Aspen Opera Theater.  Known for his compelling performances and wide-ranging repertoire, his roles include Giorgio Germont (La Traviata), Scarpia (Tosca), Leporello (Don Giovanni), and the title roles in Don Pasquale and Gianni Schicchi.  He has also performed in numerous musical theatre productions, portraying characters such as King Triton (The Little Mermaid), Emile DeBecque (South Pacific), Javert (Les Misérables), Lurch (The Addams Family), and the voice of Audrey 2 (Little Shop of Horrors).  Recently, he was seen as Principal Hawkins in the Croswell Opera House production of The Prom.  In April, he was thrilled to be part of Toledo Opera’s production of Ragtime.  As a set and lighting designer, Alex has been honored with two prestigious Los Angeles Ovation Awards for outstanding set design and best production, as well as a 2023 Michigan Broadway World Award for scenic design for The Prom.  He has served as the Artistic Director, Technical Director, Set Designer, Lighting Designer, and Set Builder for numerous organizations including The Pasadena Playhouse, Chelsea Opera, El Dorado Opera, Lyric Opera of Los Angeles, and Regina Opera.  In addition to his theater work, Alex has designed and built sets in the film and television industry and worked as a set dresser and art director on major productions like Marvel’s Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.  Alex finds joy in his personal life as well.  He is happily married to Virginia Stewart and takes pride in being a loving father to five children: Zoe, Reese, Danika, Ian, and Claire.

 

Tosca – October 18 & 20, 2024 (Valentine Theatre)

With Puccini’s richly romantic score, Tosca is one of the world’s most loved operas. The year is 1800 and Rome finds itself caught in the middle of a war between Napoleon and the Austrian empire – leading some to flee from the police. Spying, double-crossing, and torture have become the order of the day. Beloved opera singer, Floria Tosca would do anything to protect her lover, the painter Cavaradossi – a fact that the lustful police chief Scarpia is all too ready to exploit. When Cavaradossi is accused of harboring political prisoners, Scarpia implores Tosca to make an unthinkable decision. Little does he know how fiercely she will fight to protect herself and those she loves. This heart-pounding new production is brought to life by conductor Geoffrey McDonald (Suor Angelica/Cavalleria Rusticana and Ballad of Baby Doe) and stage director Jeffrey Buchman (Toledo Opera’s Carmen, 2018 and La Bohéme 2020).

Starring Lindsey Anderson (The Ballad of Baby Doe) as Tosca, Brendan Boyle (Ragtime) as Cavaradossi, and Corey Crider (Cavalleria Rusticana) as Scarpia.

Sung in Italian with English Supertitles                

Learn more about Tosca or purchase tickets at ToledoOpera.org