Boston Lyric Opera – Part of the South Boston Community

last year Brad has been the General Director and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Boston Lyric Opera. He had been their Artistic Director before that, and now occupies the BLO’s highest leadership position. Perhaps Brad’s most significant recent achievement was guiding the BLO through the pandemic, followed by a return to live performances such as “Cavalleria Rusticana” (Pietro Mascagni) in 2021, a Boston Common performance of “Romeo and Juliet” (Charles Gounod), and “La Boheme” (Giacomo Puccini), which was staged in reverse order last fall.

by Rick Winterson

The Boston Lyric Opera, the BLO, resides, rehearses, and reinvents itself at the Midway Studios in the Fort Point neighborhood, which emplaces the BLO as one of South Boston’s most truly creative residents. Recently, we had the privilege having two interviews with Bradley Vernatter. Since

Brad told us that the BLO at 46 years is the Northeast’s largest and oldest Opera Company and mentioned it now receives a top-ten ranking from media such as the New York Times. “The BLO has a long tradition of producing operas in unconventional spaces”, he stated as well. Brad then expressed his appreciation of the Fort Point area. He said, “When we came here, I was delighted by the cultural vibrancy of Fort Point, and the many, many other arts organizations that were already established here.” And by now, the BLO has performed here in South Boston as well – operatic performances in Artists for Humanity at A and Second Streets and in the open-air venue now known as the Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion on the Waterfront. To express it emphatically, Brad wants the BLO to be a staunch member and firm supporter of arts organizations in the South Boston community. The BLO even allows other arts groups to use their Fort Point Lyric Room studio space.

Brad informed us that the BLO’s season extends from last summer through this spring, with its next performance here in South Boston. So it’s a privilege and a pleasure for us to mention that the first performances in 2023 of the BLO’s current “Mainstage Series” will take place at 7:30 on March 22, 24, and 25, and at 3:00 on March 26 – the BLO has coupled Bela Bartok’s thrilling psychological opera “Bluebeard’s Castle” with “Four Songs” by Alma Mahler. These will be conducted by David Angus and directed by Anne Bogart. They’ll be sung in English with English surtitles. And what’s even more surprising (and pleasing) to us is that “Bluebeard’s Castle” and “Four Songs” will be performed in the Flynn Cruiseport at South Boston’s 1 Black Falcon Avenue Terminal. Picture those huge empty spaces within the Terminal – they’ll be filled with a breathtakingly beautiful set that will echo with the finest of early 20th Century vocal music. It will be a stunning listening adventure for certain. We will make only one recommendation to you: Be sure to arrive at the Terminal early, so you’ll have time to enjoy the surroundings created by the BLO staff and to read your program before (!) the performance begins. Focus, watch, and listen – then view, no, then experience the emotional connection between Judith in “Bluebeard’s Castle” and the love that underlies “Four Songs”. For providiing help with this article, thanks are due to BLO’s General Director Brad Vernatter; Sara O’Brien, their Senior Director of Public Engagement; Executive Administrator Eboni Bell; and JMKPR Communications.

By Carol Masshardt

Bernard “Bernie” Nania has been seeing South Boston eyes for two decades. As the optician at Two Opticians on West Broadway for the past fifteen years he knows a thing or two about people, eyes and products.

“It’s a big deal when you need to see and can’t,” he said. “It can be your whole life. You can’t work, or get places, and people get into a panic. Not everyone has a spare pair of glasses,” he said. “I listen and never rush anyone.” Every known scenario has come his way, and he meets them all with a calm philosophy.

“I figure out what people need and let them know they have they options. Sometimes, they don’t think they have recourse if the fit or lens isn’t right, but they do. I work with people to get it right and spent the time needed,” he said.

Of course, the world of materials has changed dramatically. “It used to be steel or heavy plastic, period, and real glass lenses. Now, there is titanium and even eco-friendly material and loads of designs, shapes, colors and sizes,” he said pointing to case after case of samples.

Bernie Nania, born and raised in South Boston, didn’t envision himself as a licensed optician when he graduated from South Boston High School. He went into construction and auto body work, eventually marrying his wife, Theresa, and having three children. But a car