Opera Night: The Barns of Rose Hill to Showcase Talent from Across the Country and Around the Corner

Written by Kaitlin Hill 

On August 23, The Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville will host a night of local and national, but all sensational, musical talent for their inaugural Opera Night. The show, which is part of their Classical Music Series, promises to impress opera lovers with world-class vocalists performing arias accompanied by pianist Mark Irchai and trumpeter Dr. Curt Christiansen. While the night will showcase musicians from across the country, the inspiration for the show is notably local. 

“Martha approached me at one of our other concerts, and she was so enthusiastic about it and well connected within the opera world,” shares Nathan Borger, the director of operations and programs at The Barns of Rose Hill. 

Martha is Martha Williamson, mother of Briggs Williamson, a Hunt Country native with a promising opera career in the works. Of her son, Williamson shares, “He ended up going to the Hill School, and, of course, sang there. Then at church, on Sundays at Trinity, he ended up joining the choir at a very young age.” 

Briggs’ time at Trinity would lead him to audition for the American Boychoir. “There is a lovely bond between Trinity and Bunny and Paul Mellon. The American Boychoir came in and performed at both their memorial services … at Trinity. When we found this out, Briggs wanted to audition.” 

A seasoned singer — having already done 40 shows by fourth grade, for example — Briggs was recruited by the American Boychoir around the same time. “The idea of him going away at fourth or fifth grade… I couldn’t even fathom the idea.” She continues, “But he was adamant, so he went off and it was worth it. It was life-changing.” 

Adamant and ambitious, Briggs recently graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and at just 18 will take a position at the Royal College of Music in London. 

Though, before he leaves, he will join the ranks of seven world-class vocalists at The Barns of Rose Hill for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of opera music. 

“This is definitely a unique opportunity to come and hear some of these world-class performers right here in our own backyard,” Martha says. 

In addition to Briggs, Opera Night attendees will enjoy performances by tenor David Walton, soprano Danielle Talamantes, bass-baritone Kerry Wilkerson, counter-tenor Biraj Barkakaty, Neenah Fusté, and Daniel Voigt.

When asked what he is looking forward to most about the performance, the 18-year-old Briggs shares, “I am most excited to [work] with people who are way ahead of me. I aspire to be like these professionals. I am at the beginning [of my career], so it will be interesting to see how different their technique is from mine and what I can learn from them.” 

As for preparation for the big night, he emphasizes “studying my music and making sure I understand the text. I am learning Italian pieces.” He adds with a laugh, “Italian is not my native language,” and continues, “It is important to know the text so you can actually emote and bring the audience into your performance, immerse them.” 

His mom and Borger are focused on audience experience, too. Borger notes, “This is the sort of thing that people aren’t going to be able to see anywhere else other than at The Barns.” Martha’s hopes for the guest experience echo that of Borger: “It is going to be a really remarkable experience. … I hope people will come out and experience this type of music and the quality of music at The Barns. It’s going to be a great evening.” 

But perhaps Briggs puts it best, saying, “I am hoping that people who don’t appreciate opera as much show up and realize how moving of an art form it is.” He finishes, “I think that anyone who goes to this performance is not going to regret buying the ticket. It’s going to be amazing.” ML

For more information on the event, full performer bios, and to purchase tickets, visit barnsofrosehill.org. Tickets may also be booked through the box office at (540) 955-2004.

Featured photo courtesy of The Barns of Rose Hill.