Portland Opera - News & Announcements

Meet the 2008/09 Portland Opera Studio Artists

Bonnie — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:04:41 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
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PORTLAND OPERA ANNOUNCES 2008/09 STUDIO ARTISTS

"Great Women of the Stage" Drive Another Successful Season at Portland Opera

Bonnie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:36:07 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2008
CONTACT: Jim Fullan
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"Would You Like an Aria with Those Fries?" Brown Bag Series October Topic: Beethoven's Fidelio

Bonnie — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:15:36 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
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PORTLAND OPERA’S
“Would you like an aria with those fries?”
BROWN BAG SERIES
OCTOBER TOPIC:
Beethoven’s FIDELIO

Beethoven’s first and only opera, Fidelio, is a classic rescue story with a breathtaking last minute liberation. A work of great beauty and significance, Fidelio was composed when Beethoven was facing the agonies of losing his hearing and longed to free himself from the cage of his deafness. The themes expressed in Fidelio were very personal to him. He identified strongly with the ideas of faith, determination, and the reward of patience during this period of personal crisis. His triumphant score represents a magnificent tribute to freedom, fidelity and the indomitable human spirit.

Join Portland Opera Chorus Master Rob Ainsley and the Portland Opera Studio Artists as they provide background and musical highlights from this stunning work, not seen at Portland Opera for nearly 30 years.

Fidelio opens November 7 at Keller Auditorium. For more information, visit www.portlandopera.org.

La Traviata Performance Photos!

Bonnie — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:34:13 -0700

With the 2008/09 season-opening production of La Traviata set to open on Friday, September 26, we're happy to share some of the most powerful moments of the production! Photos courtesy Cory Weaver.


Act I. Love blooms between Violetta (soprano Maria Kanyova) and Alfredo (tenor Richard Troxell).

Act I. But suddenly Violetta has second thoughts about giving up her lively world and sings the famous "Sempre Libera."

Act II. She eventually gives in to that love, sharing her life with Alfredo, only to hear from Alfredo's father (baritone Richard Zeller) that she must abandon that love.

Act II. Alfredo gets the same message from his father.

Act III. And so the two have parted ways. But in this powerful scene, the lovers reunite. Alas, Violetta is clearly very ill.

Act III. The final moment as Violetta dies.

More information about La Traviata here.

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

Photos from the La Traviata rehearsal hall.

Bonnie — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:10:38 -0700

Rehearsals are wondrous places where singers, conductors, and directors work incredibly hard for weeks to bring a production like Traviata to stage. Here, they refine all the elements--musical and theatrical--that will thrill us in a few weeks in the Keller Auditorium.


Richard Zeller as Germont explains to Violetta (Maria Kanyova) why she must let go of his son, Alfredo.			It's a powerful moment as she realizes that Germont is right and that she must turn away from the man she truly loves.

But it's no easy thing as she realizes what life will be like without him.			Tenor Richard Troxell (Alfredo) waits his turn.

Germont (Richard Zeller) now tries to convince his son, Alfredo, that he too must turn his back on love and leave Violetta behind.			Like Violetta, he is crushed under the weight of society's inability to understand and accept their love.

More information about La Traviata here.

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

"Would You Like an Aria with those Fries?" September

Bonnie — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:40:36 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
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PORTLAND OPERA’S “Would you like an aria with those fries?” BROWN BAG SERIES

SEPTEMBER TOPIC: Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA

September’s lunchtime event kicks off Portland Opera’s 2008/09 Season – Life on the Edge – with one of the most beloved of Verdi’s operas – LA TRAVIATA.

Robert Ainsley, Portland Opera’s Chorus Master and Principal Coach will explore the music and history behind this intensely moving opera of soaring melodies and a very tragic tale. Enjoy your lunch and enjoy musical highlights from LA TRAVIATA performed by the Portland Opera Studio Artists.

Portland Opera’s LA TRAVIATA opens September 26 at the Keller Auditorium.

WHAT:       Portland Opera’s “Would you like an aria with those fries?” lunchtime presentation.
                 September topic: Verdi’s La Traviata.
                 FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

WHEN: Noon – 1:00pm, Friday, September 5, 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.

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Portland Opera Names New Director of Artistic Administration

Bonnie — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:39:49 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2008
Contact: Jim Fullan

PORTLAND OPERA NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION

Portland Opera General Director Christopher Mattaliano has named Ms. Clare Burovac as the Company’s first Director of Artistic Administration.

“This is a key position in our Company,” he said. “The success of every aspect of our operations, from ticket sales to fundraising, is driven by the artistic quality of our opera productions. Bolstering our artistic team is an important part of our determination and dedication to continued artistic growth. Clare brings us the talent, the operatic experience, and the relationships within the opera world to help us reach a new artistic level.”

As the Director of Artistic Administration, Ms. Burovac’s wide-ranging responsibilities will include oversight of the Portland Opera Studio program, negotiating artists’ contracts, researching and recommending artists, acting as primary liaison between the Company and its chorus and orchestra, negotiating performance rights, among many other activities.

All Classical 89.9 to Broadcast Portland Opera's 2007/08 Performances

Bonnie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:30:43 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2008
CONTACT: Julia Sheridan, 503-295-3508
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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.”

"Would You Like an Aria with Those Fries?" August press release

Bonnie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:16:14 -0700

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.

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Portland Opera Studio Auditions for 2009-2010

lauren — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:25:17 -0700

Audition Locations and Dates

Portland, OR

Hampton Opera Center
November 14, 2008

    New York City
    Liederkranz Hall
    December 1, 2, 2008 (with callbacks on December 3, 2008)

Application Procedure

(Please provide the following):

•   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

• Applications must be in our offices by October 6, 2008

Audition Notification

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