FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 17, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
download pdf

ALL CLASSICAL 89.9 TO BROADCAST
PORTLAND OPERA’S 2007/08 PERFORMANCES

Partnership will also feature airing of commercial CD recordings of the upcoming 2008/09 Season.

Oregon and Southwest Washington opera lovers and soon-to-be-opera lovers will reap the benefits of a continued partnership between Portland Opera and All Classical.  Thanks to this partnership the area will enjoy broadcasts of Portland Opera’s performances from its 2007/08 season—Great Women of the Stage—Carmen, Cinderella (La Cenerentola), Rodelinda, Albert Herring and Aida.  Those broadcasts will be followed by broadcasts of commercial CD recordings of Portland Opera’s upcoming 2008/09 Season—Life on the Edge—Verdi’s La Traviata, Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, Cavalli’s La Calisto and Verdi’s Rigoletto.

This marks the fourth season that All Classical will air such recordings.  Portland Opera General Director Christopher Mattaliano commented that “we are very pleased to continue our partnership with All Classical.  Broadcasting last season’s performances will give thousands of patrons the particular pleasure of enjoying the season’s highlights once again.  Broadcasting those performances and previewing the upcoming season go a great distance in helping make opera accessible to our entire community. Our huge thanks go to All Classical and its talented team who have become key players in the region’s cultural landscape.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 17, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
download pdf

PORTLAND OPERA’S
“Would you like an aria with those fries?”
BROWN BAG SERIES
AUGUST TOPIC:
CLASSICAL VS. ROMANTIC
A look at two major approaches to art and music.

Relax with a tasty lunch while the engaging Alexis Hamilton, Portland Opera’s Manager of Education and Outreach, explores two major approaches to art and music:  The Classical Approach and the Romantic Approach.  Hamilton will discuss how these distinct approaches span the ages.  The talk will feature musical highlights and artwork.

WHAT:    Portland Opera’s “Would you like an aria with those fries?” lunchtime presentation.  August topic: Classical vs. Romantic; Major Approaches to Art and Music.   FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
WHEN:    Noon – 1:00pm, Friday, August 1, 2008.
WHERE:   Multnomah County Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave) in the U.S. Bank room.

These ongoing lunch presentations are held at Multnomah County Central Library from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on the First Friday of each month.

Audition Locations and Dates

•    Detailed résumé  
•    1 8x10 black and white photograph clearly marked with your name
•    CD with 4 Operatic Arias: one each in Italian, French, English, and German (Russian or Czech will be accepted in lieu of German).  Musical Theater or Oratorio will not be accepted.
Please list your arias and name on the CD. Those without will not be considered.
•    Non-refundable application fee of $25 paid to the Portland Opera by money order only
•    Cover Letter specifying city and or date preferred (Date requests for NYC will be given in order of receipt)

Audition Requirements

•    As this program is designed to bridge the gap between an artist’s education and professional career; ideal candidates have completed their postgraduate education and may have had some professional experience. Most applicants are between 24 to 32 years of age.

Application Deadline

•    Those chosen to audition will be notified via email by October 13, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 19, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508

PORTLAND OPERA’S
2008 ELEANOR LIEBER AWARD
WINNER ANNOUNCED

They came from as far away as New York to vie for $25,000 in prize money.  Eleven finalists, selected from over 30 singers heard in the Saturday preliminary round, entertained an appreciative house in the Portland Opera Studio at The Hampton Opera Center on Sunday, May 18.

After an exhilarating weekend of singing, soprano Angela Meade from Philadelphia walked away with the first prize and the check for $10,000.  Ms. Meade, aged 30, currently studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and was one of the six winners of the national level 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

The second and third place prizes were combined to create two second place prizes of $4000 each.  The winners were 29-year-old mezzo soprano Margaret Gawrysiak from Geneseo, IL and 26-year-old soprano Elizabeth Baldwin from Bloomington, IN.

It was a good day for the Portland Opera Studio Artists.  The Audience Favorite Award of $1000 went to tenor Brendan Tuohy.  Soprano Sharin Apostolou and bass Jeffrey G. Beruan both received an Encouragement Award of $1000 each.

The Eleanor Lieber Awards were begun in 1980 to provide cash study awards for outstanding young vocalists between the ages of 23 and 35.  Originally open to singers from the Northwest, the Awards have been expanded to include all U.S. citizens.  Through Ms. Lieber’s vision and generous patronage, an endowment fund was created to provide continuing support for the development of opera singers well into the future.  Established upon her death in 1990, the fund is managed by the Oregon Community Foundation.

Judges for this year’s Eleanor Lieber Awards were American baritone Richard Zeller, artist manager Robert Gilder, and General Director of Tacoma Opera, Kathryn Smith.

Soprano Lisa Daltirus is the Ethiopian slave, Aida.			Keith Miiller (l) is Egyptian Chief of Scared Priests, Ramfis and Philip Webb (w/ sword) is the Captain of the Egyyptian Guard, Radames.  They stand on an enormous bronze eagle (35 ft. wingspan x 24 ft. high) that symbolizes Horace, the God of Power.
Jeffrey Beruan (center in purple robe) is the King of Egypt and Leann Sandel-Pantaleo (r) is his daughter, Amneris.			Tenor Philip Webb sings Radames, the Egyptian Captain loved by both Aida and Amneris.
Lisa Daltirus (l) is Aida, and Greer Grimsley (r) is her father, the King of Ethiopia, who has been taken captive by the Egyptians.			Ethiopian slave Aida Lisa Daltirus (l) and her mistress Amneris, Leann Sandel-Pantaleo, Amneris (r) are rivals for the love of Radames.

More information about Aida here.

Don’t have tickets?  They’re going fast.  503-241-1802 to get yours now!

Working rehearsals are a magical place.  Jeans and tennis shoes, a hint of costumes, a few props, a piano, and lots of time, sweat, and talent.  Here's a quick look behind the scenes as we get Aida ready for its May 9 Keller Auditorium opening.

Technician Rick Schreiner in a cubby hole beneath the huge set with all the machinery and computers that run the revolving set.			And the leading lady!!  Heralded for almost a year in Aida graphics . . . and now brightly running around the region on TriMet buses, Lisa Daltirus is a powerful presence.  With a voice that has almost stopped rehearsals in their tracks.
Anyone who saw our 2005 Tosca will remember the powerful force of Greer Grimsley as Scarpia.  Here, as Aida's father Amonasro, that same power comes through loud and clear.			Aida is a love story at its heart.  And a tragic one to be sure.  Here, a poignant moment between Radames (Phillip Webb) and Aida.
Aida is perhaps the grandest of all operas.  And grand opera means dance.  Expect a triumphal march complete with dazzling dance.			Maestro Vjekoslav Sutej (or "Gigi" as he's known here) brings an exuberant passion to the podium.
And over it all, a guiding light for the company and the rehearsals, our mission--"to celebrate the beauty and breadth of opera."

More information about Aida here.

Don’t have tickets?  They’re going fast.  503-241-1802 to get yours now!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 22, 2008
CONTACT:  Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508, email
download pdf here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 22, 2008
CONTACT:  Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508, email
download pdf here

PORTLAND OPERA HOLDS

ELEANOR LIEBER AWARDS

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2:00pm
At the Hampton Opera Center

Portland Opera General Director Christopher Mattaliano has announced that the Portland Opera will hold its biennial Eleanor Lieber Awards on Sunday, May 18, 2008.  The public is invited to an exciting afternoon where the stars of tomorrow’s opera world compete for prizes totaling $18,500.  After a preliminary competition on Saturday, the weekend culminates on Sunday with ten finalists vying for a first place prize of $10,000, a second place prize of $5,000 and a third place prize of $2,500.  A special $1,000 prize is awarded to the audience favorite.  In addition to these awards, all 10 finalists will be presented an honorarium.

Established in 1980 and named after Eleanor Lieber, these awards recognize her special appreciation for young singers.  Through her vision and generous patronage, an endowment fund was created to ensure continuing support for the development of young operatic artists into the future.

The 2008 Eleanor Lieber Awards are open to singers across the United States, who are in the early stages of a professional opera career.

WHAT:     Eleanor Lieber Awards 2008
WHEN:     Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2:00pm
WHERE:   The Hampton Opera Center
                211 SE Caruthers St, Portland, OR 97214

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 24, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
download pdf here

PORTLAND OPERA’S

“Would you like an aria with those fries?”

BROWN BAG SERIES CONTINUES
APRIL TOPIC
OPERA IMPROV
We’ll give the audience the nuts and bolts of an opera, and they will create one on the spot!

This month Portland Opera will offer the lunchtime audience the opportunity to create an opera…on the spot!  Comedy, tragedy, adventure?  The audience will decide.  The talented performers from Portland Opera To Go, the touring division of Portland Opera’s Education and Outreach department, will be on hand to take the cues and provide plenty of entertainment.  

OPERA IMPROV was conceived and directed by Kristine McIntyre for Portland Opera To Go.  After a successful three-month tour bringing OPERA IMPROV to 12,000 students across the state, Portland Opera To Go artists will be back in town on April 4, for a free public performance.
                                     
WHAT:     Portland Opera’s “Would You Like an Aria with Those Fries?” lunchtime presentation.  April topic: Opera Improv.  FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
WHEN:     Noon – 1:00pm, Friday, April 4, 2008.
WHERE:   Multnomah County Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave) in the U.S. Bank room.

These ongoing lunch presentations are held at Multnomah County Central Library from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on the First Friday of each month.
# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 6, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
download pdf here

PORTLAND OPERA PRESENTS
THE COMPANY PREMIERE OF BRITTEN’S