Rick Ziebarth, Scarpia, returns to OH after a sparkling debut earlier this season as Escamillo in Carmen.  Mr. Ziebarth is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University (honored with a full scholarship). Mr. Ziebarth began his professional career while still in school. For three years he sang with the Opera Theatre of Lucca in Italy. With CCPA’s Opera Theatre he performed a variety of concert repertoire and stage roles. Recently, Mr. Ziebarth was heard in his company debut with Philadelphia’s Center City Opera Theatre as Basil Hallward in Lowell Liebermann’s The Picture of Dorian Gray based on the Oscar Wilde masterpiece. Mr. Ziebarth has also performed with Palm Beach Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Light Opera Works. He participated in both the Sarasota and Chautauqua apprentice programs and was a member of the Alan Stone Debut Artists at Chicago Opera Theatre, and as such was featured on WFMT radio’s Live from Studio One. Professionally trained as a competitive figure skater, Richard Ziebarth was a double gold medalist for the United States Figure Skating Association.