Opera on the Prado
NEMPAC’s pop-up Opera on the Prado features Boston-based emerging artists performing in the most historic and beautiful park in the North End. Located on the Freedom Trail, next to the Paul Revere Statue and just behind Old North Church, passersby, neighbors, and friends can catch singers performing. This concert performed on the Prado features an “Sounds of the City” theme including operatic and musical theater works such as West Side Story and Street Scene.
Artistic Director, Hannah Shanefield
Date: Sunday, October 19th | Time: 1 PM – 3 PM
Where: The Prado, Paul Revere Mall, Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
No need to register to attend. Just stroll on by The Prado!
Michael González, tenor
Tenor Michael González (he/him) has been hailed as “visually and sonically stunning” and celebrated for his “beautiful tenor voice,” described as “the aural equivalent of silk.” With a bright, expressive tone and effortless clarity, González is quickly establishing himself as a standout performer on both national and international stages. Recently, he thrilled audiences at the National Opera Center in New York, where critics named him “one of the evening’s best” and praised his artistry as a rising star (New York Concert Review). He also made a striking international debut in Paris as the Tenor Soloist in the world premiere of Richard J. Clark’s TE DEUM at the stunning L’Église de Saint François de Sales.
Larisa Bainton Hernandez, soprano
Larisa Bainton Hernandez (she/her) is a soprano, educator, and multi-media creative from Atlanta, GA, now living in the Boston area. Her artistic interests center around increasing opera’s accessibility through visual storytelling. Her work has been recognized by the Boston Globe, OperaWire, WBUR, and Bachtrack; and in 2021, the Eastman School of Music named her one of the “Outstanding Eastman Women” of the year for her innovative digital production of Hänsel und Gretel. Her recent projects include an immersive production of Die Fledermaus, and a recital with graphics and animations created by Larisa.
Julian Gau, pianist
Julian Gau (he/him) is a pianist and conductor based in Boston. While this is his debut with NEMPAC Opera Project, he has performed in concert with Opera on Tap, Boston Summer Opera, and West End Lyric. As a opera conductor, he has served as music director for The Pirates of Penzance with Boston Summer Opera, Alcina with MassOpera, Die Fledermaus with The Opera Company, Katie the Strongest of the Strong with Opera Saratoga, and Cabaret at Brown University. He has also served as assistant conductor and coach for Is This America? with White Snake Projects, as well as Don Giovanni and Rigoletto with Boston Summer Opera. In the orchestral world, he serves as music director of the Horizon Ensemble, the Providence Medical Orchestra, and the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York. He is also the Assistant Conductor to the New England Philharmonic and recently completed his term as Conducting Fellow with the Chelsea Symphony.
*In the event of rain, we will move this concert to 50 Tileston St in the North End.
