Ara Berberian Ara Berberian Ara Berberian (, May 14, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan - February 21, 2005 in Boynton Beach, Florida, ) was an American bass and actor who had an active international career in operas, concerts, and musicals from the early 1960s until his retirement from the stage in 1997. He notably had an 18-year association with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he gave a total of 334 performances between 1979-1997. He sang over 100 roles during his career, including those of Osmin in Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio" and Sparafucile in Verdi's "Rigoletto". Born in Detroit, Berberian
June Bronhill Merry Widow", "Orpheus in the Underworld", "Die Fledermaus" and "Rigoletto" at the Sydney Opera House in 1975. In 1976, she decided to move back to Australia permanently. In Australia she appeared in operas such as "Il Seraglio" ("Die Entführung aus dem Serail") and a Victoria State Opera production of Donnizetti's "Maria Stuarda" in July 1976, directed by Robin Lovejoy with a cast including Nance Grant conducted by Richard Divall. She played operetta roles such as Josephine ("H.M.S. Pinafore"), Phyllis ("Iolanthe") and Ruth ("The Pirates of Penzance"). She also had roles in "The Maid of the Mountains", "Call Me Madam", "A