Spirits of the Opera

Check out the Opera Omaha Guild's promotional video for the third annual Spirits of the Opera celebration. This award-nominated event happens Saturday, April 28 beginning at 5:30pm at The Max. Luscious cocktails and delectable appetizers will be available to sustain you through the magnificent show and the after-party. Don't be late! Join us for all the fun!

Tickets are available by clicking Ticket Omaha or calling 402-345-0606 or 402-346-4398. You can also purchase tickets at the Opera Omaha office at 1850 Farnam Street. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Stop in for a quick visit. We would love to meet you!

Could you be our newest Chorus member?

Do you have dreams of performing at The Orpheum Theatre? Do you have a great singing voice? I thought I heard you say, "Yes!"

We want to hear you at our upcoming auditions! Information about our May 12 auditions is below. Opera Omaha is looking for chorus members and boy sopranos to sing during our 2012-2013 season productions.

If you love to sing and perform for an audience, contact us for an audition time. Contact information and more details are below. Join us! We would love to hear you sing.

Photo by Jim Scholz--The Mikado Men's Chorus and Terry Hodges as Pooh-Bah

Photo by Jim Scholz--The men and women of the Chorus look on in fear as The Mikado, Kevin Short, arrives

Opera Omaha
Announcement for Chorus Auditions

Opera Omaha is holding chorus auditions for La traviata

 

When: Saturday, May 12 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Where: Opera Omaha Rehearsal Hall, 1850 Farnam Street, Omaha NE (entrance on 19^th Street).

Details: You must be at least 18 years old to audition.  Prospective members will be assigned a time slot and asked to present 2 selections; one in a foreign language and one in English, not to exceed 5 minutes in total.  Arias, arts songs, or church solos are all acceptable as audition pieces.  Please provide printed music as an accompanist will be available at no cost.

Contact Cammy Watkins at cwatkins@operaomaha.org or 402-346-4398 x 217 for details and to schedule an audition.  Additional information is also available at www.operaomaha.org.

Opera Omaha Boy Soloist Auditions

Opera Omaha will be holding auditions on Saturday, May 12, 2012 beginning at 2pm at the Opera Omaha Offices, 1850 Farnam St (entrance on 19^th Street between Farnam and Douglas). These auditions are open to unchanged male voices (boy sopranos) only ages 8-12 years old; instrumental or vocal training is a plus. A musical resume or performance experience list must be received to be considered for an audition.

Audition requirements:

·         Boy Sopranos ages 8 -12

·         One musical selection (with sheet music for the accompanist) to be performed with piano accompaniment (accompanist will be provided).

·         Be available for same day call backs in which solo and group sight singing will be requested

·         Audition space is limited and scheduling is by invitation only

Only email applications will be accepted, do not call to schedule an audition. Please send resume, soloist name, parent/guardian name, phone number, and email to Cammy Watkins at cwatkins@operaomaha.org, to request an audition.

Meet the Artist--Ko-Ko, Brian-Mark Conover

Ko-Ko is the Lord High Executioner of Titipu. He becomes the Lord High Executioner by appointment and is reluctant to carry out his duties. This isn't really a problem until the execution-loving Mikado realizes that it's been a long time since anyone in Titipu was executed and threatens to demote the town to a village (gasp!) unless an execution is performed rather quickly. This leaves Ko-Ko with a problem. He has to find someone to execute!

One of the most well-known parts of The Mikado is Ko-Ko's "Little List" song. He gives us a list of the people he could execute and "who never would be missed". The lyrics of the List are changed to reflect current trends in politics and pop culture. It is changed to suit a regional audience and often contains reference to locally and nationally known people or events.

The role of Ko-Ko requires an artist who can act, sing, and possesses a must see-it-to-believe-it level of  skill in the art of physical comedy. Opera Omaha is proud to have Brian-Mark Conover join us for The Mikado as our Ko-Ko. Mr. Conover's wit, stage presence, and comedic flair combined with his enjoyment of the audience and a lovely baritone create a magnificent Ko-Ko!

Join us this weekend on Friday, April 13 or Sunday, April 15 for our production of The Mikado and see who Mr. Conover has on his List. Click Ticket Omaha or call 402-345-0606 or 402-346-4398 for tickets. Don't miss it!

Biography provided by artist:

Mr. Conover has been performing for over 35 years. He is trained as a lyric baritone and holds a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and music. He performed in several Opera Omaha productions including Don Giovanni  and Opera for the Cure. He was a featured artist in So In Love With Broadway. Mr. Conover performed the roles of Norn, Gunther, Alberich and Katsy Snapp in Opera Omaha's 2009 production of Das Barbecu. Additional local theatre credits include playing Uncle Max in The Sound of Music and Don Joe in No Dogs Allowed at the Rose Theater. 

While living in Chicago, Mr. Conover played many character roles including; Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Annie, The Madam in Pacific Overtures, George Bernard Shaw in The Frogs, Constable Simms in Oh, Boy!, Donald Trees in The Flowers, The Duke in The Paradise Hotel, and Mr. Smith in The Bald Soprano. His national credits include several productions of Forbidden Broadway in major cities throughout the United States.

Meet the Artist(s)--The Opera Omaha Chorus

Opera for the Cure Chorus and featured artists

Opera companies throughout the world rely on a core of dedicated individuals to provide talent and onstage support in many opera productions. These people play varied roles, rehearse for weeks before the principle artists arrive, and add immeasurable quality and interest to the staged work. Opera Omaha benefits greatly from the support of our magnificent Opera Omaha Chorus. We could not produce The Mikado, or most other programming, without these exceptionally talented and professional men and women.  

The chorus is comprised of people from Omaha and surrounding communities in Nebraska and Iowa. Opera Omaha holds chorus auditions two to three times each year. From these auditions, select individuals are contracted on a single-show basis. Different chorus members are used for different shows throughout the season. The selection process seeks to match vocal qualities and abilities with the music to be presented. Our next auditions are Saturday, May 12 at Iowa Western Community College.

The chorus of The Mikado includes 24 fantastic performers (listed below) from our local communities. When you come to see the show, please clap loudly for our outstanding chorus members. They dedicate many hours to bring you the high-quality entertainment that you see on the stage. Enjoy the show!

Do you need tickets? Click Ticket Omaha or call 402-345-0606 or 402-346-4398. 


Opera Omaha Chorus members for The Mikado:

Derek Anderson

Katie Branzuela

Tara Cowherd

Becca Jackson Cusick

John Dart

Elmer Ellefson

Allison Falt

T. Adam Goos

Angie Heim

Jared Hiscock

Katie Kirchner

James C. Little

Megan Kate McGuire

Eric Micks

Megan Milke

Eduardo Millán

William A. Miller

Susan Seamands

Brandon Shostak

Kevin Smith

Judi Torneten

Lauren Turner

Brad A. Watkins

Camellia Yvonne Watkins

This is Opera! Chorus and featured artists

Opera Omaha
Announcement for Chorus Auditions

Omaha, Neb. – Opera Omaha is holding chorus auditions on Saturday, May 12^th from 1:00 – 5:00 PM in the Opera Omaha Rehearsal Hall, 1850 Farnam Street, Omaha NE (entrance on 19^th Street). The selected chorus members will be singing for our first production of next season.

You must be at least 18 years old to audition.  Prospective members will be assigned a time slot and asked to present 2 selections; one in a foreign language and one in English, not to exceed 5 minutes in total.  Arias, arts songs, or church solos are all acceptable as audition pieces.  Please provide printed music as an accompanist will be available at no cost.

Contact Cammy Watkins at cwatkins@operaomaha.org or 402-346-4398 x 217 for details and to schedule an audition.  Additional information is also available at www.operaomaha.org.

Big Opera is Back! Announcing our 2012-2013 Season

Opera Omaha Announces 2012/2013 Season

Opera Omaha is pleased to announce their 2012/2013 season.  This will be the 55^th year that Opera Omaha has brought world-class opera to the Omaha Metro area.  Premiere performances, collaboration, and classic grand opera will be the hallmarks of what will prove to be a very exciting year for the company and its audience members.  All three main-stage operas will be presented in the historic Orpheum Theater.  This season brings glorious music, poignant romance, chilling mystery, and stunning, magnificent visual art.

“I’m delighted to announce the details of Opera Omaha’s bold new season,” says General Director Roger Weitz.  “La Traviata is one of the most beloved operas of all time; our dynamic cast is in expert hands with director Jim de Blasis and conductor Joseph Rescigno.  Jun Kaneko’s stunning new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute must be seen to be believed; this opera will be a major event in the community.  The season finishes with Hal France returning to Opera Omaha to conduct Bartok’s powerful opera, Bluebeard’s Castle, with the legendary Samuel Ramey in the title role.  It’s a season not to be missed.”

Season Subscriptions will be on sale starting April 9; tickets to individual operas will go on sale after Labor Day.  Season Subscriptions can be purchased by phone: 402-346-4398.

Details about the season:

La Traviata

Music by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

October 5 and 7, 2012

Verdi’s tragic tale of a beautiful Parisian courtesan named Violetta and her young lover from a respectable provincial family is the first production of the Opera Omaha 2012/2013 season.  Based on the Alexandre Dumas play “The Lady of the Camellias”, which also inspired the legendary Greta Garbo film “Camille”, this classic and touching tale of love and sacrifice written in 1853 has some of Verdi’s best-loved music.  This production will evoke the world of 18^th century Paris and the demimonde lifestyle of its main character.

Director James de Blasis returns to Opera Omaha, furthering a long history with the company including Lucia di Lammermoor with Beverly Sills in 1975.  Conductor Joseph Rescigno is another returning artist, having led Jun Kaneko’s Madama Butterfly for the company in 2010.

Conductor:                  Joseph Rescigno

Director:                      James de Blasis

Role                             Cast

Violetta                       Inna Dukach

Alfredo                       Joshua Kohl

Germont                      Jake Gardner

Flora                            Leah Wool

Barone Douphol          Kirk Vaughn Robinson        

The Magic Flute

Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder

February 22 and 24, 2013

New Production

The exciting centerpiece offering of the new Opera Omaha season, The Magic Flute, will be designed by Omaha’s own visual artist Jun Kaneko whose talent in opera design is recognized from coast to coast; Opera Omaha is a co-producer with four other leading opera companies including San Francisco Opera and Washington National Opera in Washington, DC.  The Magic Flute is a lighthearted tale of love and adventure, charmingly fantastical, utterly unique, and perfect for the entire family.  Jun Kaneko’s newest creation promises to be a truly spectacular event for the Omaha Metro area.

Conductor:                  Nicholas Cleobury

Director:                      Garnett Bruce

Designer:                     Jun Kaneko

Role                             Cast

Papageno                     Corey McKern            

Pamina                         Monica Yunus

Sarastro                       Tom McNichols

Bluebeard’s Castle

Music by Bela Bartok

Libretto by Bela Balazs

April 19 and 21, 2013

New Production

The captivating story of Duke Bluebeard, his new wife, Judith, and a castle containing seven mysterious doors.  The secrets that lie behind them are revealed one by one through rich, haunting music.  Hal France returns to Opera Omaha to conduct this complex work featuring brilliant orchestral writing.  Mr. Samuel Ramey, one of the music world’s foremost interpreters of bass and bass-baritone operatic and concert repertoire will return to Omaha to perform the title role.

Opera Omaha will collaborate with several local arts organizations in bringing this story to life.  Their participation in the production will help reveal the mysteries of the seven doors and demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of opera. 

Conductor:                  Hal France

Director:                      Andrew Eggert

Role                             Cast

Bluebeard                    Samuel Ramey

Judith                          Kara Shay Thomson

Meet the Artist--Katisha, Melissa Parks

Katisha is listed in Boise State's Gilbert & Sullivan archive as "an elderly Lady, in love with Nanki-Poo". There is some debate among Gilbert & Sullivan enthusiasts about the use of the term "elderly" in reference to casting the role of Katisha in The Mikado. During the time period of the piece, a never married woman older than 30 years might be considered a spinster and her chances of marrying and having children thought to be negligible. Oh, my, how times have changed! Thankfully, this makes the casting of the character and the comic wit and physicality required by our director much easier. Our young and lovely Katisha excels in her role and adds to the zany madness that is Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado.

In the role of Katisha, Opera Omaha is proud to present mezzo-soprano, Melissa Parks. She began performing the role of Katisha in 2002 with The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. In a January, 25, 2002 review Bruce-Michael Gelbert of Theatre Scene praised Ms. Parks' performance. He stated, "...it was a pleasure to have in Melissa Parks a Katisha possessing a heroic operatic instrument, offering a character of mock-tragic dimensions...". In a 2003 review in the New York Times, writer Anne Midgette referred to Ms. Parks' "powerful voice" in her portrayal of Katisha. The photo below is from her 2010 performance of Katisha at Michigan Opera Theatre. A reviewer for The Detroiter, Nicole Rupersburg, said the following, "Parks was a comedic gale force with an equally powerful voice, demanding laughs from the audience as she commands the cast to “BOW!” in “Mi-ya Sa-ma” as easily as she demands tears in her mournful aria “Alone, and yet alive.” 

Join us for The Mikado at Omaha's beautiful Orpheum Theatre and witness the vocal power and comic prowess that the magnificent Melissa Parks brings to the role of Katisha. Contact Ticket Omaha at 402-345-0606 or Opera Omaha at 402-346-4398 for tickets. Get yours today! 

Photo Credit: The Detroiter. Melissa Parks as Katisha and Michael Wanko as Ko-Ko

More information about Melissa Parks is available at  Robert Gilder.

 

Melissa Parks

The 2009-2010 season proved to be noteworthy for mezzo-soprano Melissa Parks, who made her Italian debut as Mrs. Lovett in Bologna, Modena, Lugo and Piacenza in what was the Italian premiere of SWEENEY TODD and concluded the season performing the role of Mescalina in Ligeti's LE GRANDE MACABRE in the critically acclaimed production with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Alan Gilbert.  Of her performance, The New York Post proclaimed that, "As Mescalina, Melissa Parks combined a firm mezzo-soprano with the high-camp mugging one would expect in the role."  Recent performances include a reprise of the role of Mrs. Peachum THE BEGGAR'S OPERA conducted by Lorin Maazel at his Castleton Festival, the Marquise de Birkenfeld LA FILLE DU REGIMENT with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and two role debuts with New Orleans Opera as Mistress Bentson LAKME and Mary DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER.  Engagements during the 2010-2011 season included the roles of Katisha MIKADO  with Michigan Opera Theatre, Marcellina LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with Madison Opera, Mistress Quickly FALSTAFF with Utah Opera, and Forester's Wife and Owl THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN with the New York Philharmonic.  This coming 2011-2012 season she performs the roles of Baba THE MEDIUM and Marcellina LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with Michigan Opera Theatre, Mistress Quickly FALSTAFF with Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Marcellina LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with El Paso Opera, and Katisha THE MIKADO with Opera Omaha.

Recently Ms. Parks performed the roles of Zulma L'ITALIANA IN ALGERI and the Third Maid ELEKTRA with Seattle Opera, Gertrude ROMÉO ET JULIETTE with Tampa Bay Opera, Dutchess GONDOLIERS with Utah Symphony and Opera and the role of Buttercup H.M.S. PINAFORE with Opera East Texas and Nashville Opera.  The previous season her roles included Queen of the Fairies IOLANTHE in a debut with Nashville Opera, Zulma L'ITALIANA IN ALGERI with Anchorage Opera, Buttercup H.M.S. PINAFORE with Syracuse Opera, and Gertrude ROMÉO ET JULIETTE with Utah Symphony and Opera and a return engagement as Ruth PIRATES OF PENZANCE.  In the 2004-2005 season Ms. Parks' engagements included Marcellina LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with Pittsburgh Opera, Dame Quickly FALSTAFF with Dicapo Opera, Cecilia March LITTLE WOMEN with Dayton Opera, Zita GIANNI SCHICCHI with Fresno Grand Opera and a return to Utah Symphony and Opera as Katisha MIKADO. 

Engagements for the 2003-2004 season included a debut with Fresno Grand Opera as Marcellina LE NOZZE DE FIGARO, Erda DAS RHEINGOLD with New Orleans Opera, Third Lady DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE with Michigan Opera Theater and Buttercup H.M.S. PINAFORE with Utah Symphony and Opera.

Other engagements have included a debut with Michigan Opera Theatre as Azucena IL TROVATORE, a return to the New Orleans Opera as Mama McCourt THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE, a return to Chautauqua for the Witch HANSEL UND GRETEL, a Cleveland Opera debut in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, a Virginia Opera debut as Ulrica UN BALLO IN MASCHERA, a return to El Paso as Mamma Lucia CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, Katisha THE MIKADO with Utah Festival Opera and Chautauqua, a return to Cleveland Opera as the Fairy Queen IOLANTHE, Zita GIANNI SCHICCHI with Philadelphia's newly formed Sylvan Opera, and the Verdi Requiem with the Utah Symphony.   Other engagements have included working with the Metropolitan Opera in both LA FILLE DU REGIMENT and AUFSTIEG UND FALL DER STADT MAHAGONNY.

As winner of the Fifth Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, she performed the role of Mistress Quickly FALSTAFF in a Gala Concert hosted by the tenor. She has had debuts with the Opera Company of Philadelphia as Mother Goose THE RAKE'S PROGRESS, Chautauqua Opera as Mama McCourt THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE, Opera Delaware as Mamma Lucia CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA and the El Paso Opera Company as Berta IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA.  She participated in the American premiere of the Polish opera STRASZNY DWOR as Madame Czecznikowa with Opera Buffalo.

While a student at Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts, Ms Parks sang Dryade ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, the Marquise LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT, the Principessa SUOR ANGELICA, Zita GIANNI SCHICCHI, the Witch HANSEL UND GRETEL, Mistress Quickly FALSTAFF, the Wife in Wargo's CHEKHOV TRILOGY, Azucena IL TROVATORE and Ulrica UN BALLO IN MASCHERA.

Your Carriage Awaits

Do you avoid events downtown because of the distance or the hassle and expense of parking? Would you like Opera Omaha to pick you up and deliver you to the front door of Omaha's beautiful Orpheum Theatre for a show? What if the transportation was free? It's possible! Thanks to the generosity of a local foundation, you can attend our April 13 or 15 production of The Mikado in rock star style.

Join us and travel by luxury motorcoach from the Baker's Supermarket in Bellevue or Village Pointe Shopping Center, Shadow Lake Towne Center, or Westroads Mall in Omaha to The Orpheum Theatre for The Mikado. Make your night on the town more relaxing. Park your car at the pick up point, enjoy dinner with friends and family, make the ride downtown with your favorite people, take in the show, and travel back to your personal vehicle with ease and in style. There is no cost to you for transportation from the pick up points to The Orpheum Theatre and back to the pick up points.

Photo courtesy of www.arrowstagelines.com

This is a great opportunity to save time and money, go green, and enjoy a new experience. The first step is to buy your tickets to The Mikado. Then, get on the bus with Opera Omaha! Your carriage awaits.

Contact Ticket Omaha at 402-345-0606 to purchase tickets to The Mikado and then visit Opera Omaha motorcoach to get on the bus!

Meet the Artist--Pooh-Bah, Terry Hodges

Anyone familiar with the local artistic community knows that Omaha is loaded with talent. One of these massively talented local people is, Terry Hodges. Mr. Hodges, a resident of Omaha since 2004, sings the role Pooh-Bah in our production of The Mikado. You may have seen him on an Opera Omaha stage previously in HMS Pinafore or The Threepenny Opera, among others. His performance resume includes more than 2000 opera performances and 2,500 performances as part of a touring production of The Phantom of the Opera.

As Pooh-Bah, or the "Lord High Everything Else", Mr. Hodges acting skills and impressive bass-baritone vocal capabilities are combined to create the traditionally haughty character. Opera Omaha is honored to welcome the impressive talents of Omaha resident, Terry Hodges, as our "Grand Poo-Bah" in The Mikado.

Terry Hodges

Biography provided by the artist:

American-trained, bass baritone Terry Hodges' stagecraft and vocal technique have assured him a busy career in opera and music theatre in the United States and Canada. His musicianship coupled with programmes at Santa Fe and Lake George Opera Festival led to engagements at Carnegie Hall and for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, among others. Mr. Hodges’ is renowned for his portrayal of Dr. Bartolo in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA and he has been engaged for this role by companies in both the United States and Canada including Boston Lyric Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Columbus and the Tulsa Opera.

Recent and upcoming engagements have Mr. Hodges engaged as Dick Deadeye in HMS PINAFORE for Nashville Opera, as Benoit/Alcindoro in LA BOHEME for Vancouver Opera, and the role of Dulcamara in L’ELISIR D’AMORE for Tulsa Opera. In 2006-2007, he returned to Manitoba Opera for Frank in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Opera Tulsa for THE LITTLE PRINCE, and took on the role of Leporello in DON GIOVANNI for Pacific Opera Victoria and Orchestra London.

In 2005/2006 he was in Utah for KISMET and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, at Virginia Opera for Dr. Bartolo in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and in Milwaukee for LITTLE WOMEN at Skylight Opera Theatre. The remainder of that season was filled with performances of KISMET for Toronto Operetta Theatre and MAN OF LA MANCHA back in Milwaukee.

He was heard in Thea Musgrave’s CHRISTMAS CAROL for Virginia Opera, in WOZZECK as the Doctor for Pacific Opera Victoria and as Dick Deadeye in Opera Omaha’s HMS PINAFORE. Puccini’s comic Sacristan in TOSCA took him back to the Opera Theater of St. Louis and he was in Philadelphia for Elder McLean in Floyd’s SUSANNAH.

Mr. Hodges appeared for Piedmont Opera as Luther/Crespel in Offenbach's LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN and was Trulove in THE RAKE'S PROGRESS for Vancouver Opera. After concert performances as Dulcamara in L'ELISIR D'AMORE for Orchestra London, he returned to Piedmont Opera as the Pirate King in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and was in Omaha for MAN OF LA MANCHA and Benoit/Alcindoro in LA BOHÈME for Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Mr. Hodges has been featured by Virginia Opera as Angelotti in TOSCA, Opera Saskatchewan as Frank in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Toronto Operetta Theatre as Pali Racz in ZIGEUNER PRIMAS and the Opera Company of Philadelphia as Don Pedro in LA PÉRICHOLE.

Further roles in Mr. Hodges' repertoire include Don Alfonso in COSÌ FAN TUTTE, Colline in LA BOHEME, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Dr. Engel in STUDENT PRINCEand Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. He also has more than 2,000 performances of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA among his list of credits.

With a degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Colorado, this Chicago-born bass baritone also has the oratorio works of Mendelssohn, Fauré, Haydn, Brahms and Handel at his command.

Please join us on April 13 and 15 to hear and see Mr. Terry Hodges as the rightfully exalted Pooh-Bah. Click Ticket Omaha or call 402-345-0606 or 402-346-4398 for tickets.