On July 16, baritone Jason Stearns debuted to critical and audience acclaim at the Savonlinna Festival in Finland as Der fliegende Holländer in Wagner's opera of the same name. This engagement represents both a house debut and role debut for Mr. Stearns, who will next be seen at the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago in the 2008-2009 season. Mr. Stearns will also sing the title role in Rigoletto with Toledo Opera in November 2008 and join Norwegian Opera in the fall of 2009 to sing Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West.
