Baril joined Central City Opera as production coordinator and assistant conductor in 1992, was named associate conductor and music administrator in 1996, and became resident conductor in 2000. He has conducted many productions for the respected summertime company, including the regional premiere of Mark Adamo's Little Women in 2001 and a production of Madama Butterfly last year that marked soprano Catherine Malfitano's directorial debut.

He is also chorus master for Opera Colorado.

Baril will continue to serve as the company's resident conductor; in addition, he will oversee its music staff, the admission process for its training program, and the administration of its orchestra. He will also assist general and artistic director Pat Pearce in hiring singers.

Central City Opera is located 35 miles west of Denver. Its 2006 season includes Douglas Moore's The Ballad of Baby Doe, which was commissioned and premiered by the company 50 years ago; Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Baril; and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea.