Welcome to Opera Guild of Rochester
Attention Newsletter Subscribers with RoadRunner (e.g. rochester.rr.com) E-mail addresses. We recently learned that RoadRunner E-mail users have not been receiving E-mails sent from our E-mail address (OperaGuildofRochester@gmail.com). It appears that your subscription to our newsletter may have been diverted to your junk mail folder located on the RoadRunner Webmail server. Either you or your favorite computer person can fix this. Click here for complete instructions. In the meantime, you may click here to download copies of the newsletter. We apologize for this inconvenience and are working with RoadRunner to resolve the situation. |
The Opera Guild of Rochester, Inc. presents free opera lectures at local libraries, tours to productions of leading local opera companies and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, as well as our popular Beat-the-Blahs — The Haskell Rosenberg Memorial Series atTemple B'rith Kodesh in January 2015. The Guild also has a newly updated Reading Room that contains Handouts and Playlists for all of our free lectures, as well as our monthly Newsletter and Opera Flyers, that are handed out at local opera events such at the MET HD broadcasts in local theaters.
Our Spring Tour to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City has just been announced! Book your tickets now! In July 2015, we will take a bus trip to the Glimmerglass Festival to see a production there.
On May 17th, 2015, we will entertain our donors with our annual opera recital at the Rochester Academy of Medicine. The featured artist will be tenor Matthew Valverde, who is planning to present music from Spanish operas, including some music from Mexico.
You will find links to regional opera companies and local music organizations with their exciting programs, as well as the Metropolitan Opera's schedule of HD telecasts in local movie theatres. Click here to view the MET in HD's exciting 2014-15 schedule!
Perhaps the most exciting feature of our website is the ability to view production photos, cast photos and bios, programs, and reviews of Mercury Opera Rochester's six seasons. Click here to view the history of Mercury Opera Rochester and re-live your favorite moments at the opera.
Visit our website often to stay in touch with opera events in Rochester and Western New York State.
Eastman Opera Theatre to Present Ned Rorem's "Our Town"
April 9, 10 and April 11 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 12 at 2PM
Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre
In 2006, composer Ned Rorem and librettist J.D. McClatchy turned Thornton Wilder's theatrically innovative play Our Town into a moving opera. A Stage Manager is the narrator, commentator, and guide through Wilder's story of love, life and death among the Gibbs and the Webb families. The play's profound emotions are heightened through Rorem's lyrical music.
The role of the Stage Manager will be sung by Robert Swenson and Jacob Stebly. Benton Hess (pictured left) conducts with stage direction by Steve Daigle.
Our Town takes place in 1901 in the small town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, but it proves that "our" is everywhere. Our Town is sung in English with English subtitles.
Tickets are available at the Eastman Theater Box Office, online at rpo.org or by calling (585) 454-2100.
Presenting the Friends of Eastman Opera Vocal Competition Winners
The Friends of Eastman Opera Vocal Competition took place on February 13th at Kilbourn Hall.
From nine terrific performances, adjudicator Neil Varon selected the following winners of the 14th Friends of Eastman Opera Vocal Competition. Photo courtesy of Michael Radigan. Pictured from right to left (pianists not pictured):
First Place - Evelyn Saavedra, soprano, with Andrew Stephens, piano
Second Place - Keely Futterer, soprano, with Christopher Reed, piano
Third Place - Sam Grosby, tenor, with Christopher Kayler, piano
Contest Adjudicator - Neil Varon, Professor of Conducting & Ensembles
Honorable Mention- Matthew Swensen, tenor, with Mary Holzhauer, piano
Click here for a YouTube video of the entire event (shot and edited by Dr. Robert Swensen, ESM).
Lotte Lenya Competition to Take Place on April 18th at Kilbourn Hall
The Lotte Lenya Competition is an international theater-singing contest that recognizes talented young singers/actors who excel in a wide range of musical-theater styles, from opera to contemporary Broadway musicals, including the works of Kurt Weill.
The Finals are on April 18, 2015 at Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York. Both the Daytime Round (11am – 3pm) and the Evening Concert (8 pm) are free and open to the public.
Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Evening Concert. A panel of distinguished musical theater and opera professionals will judge the competition. The Lotte Lenya Competition is a program of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. For further information, visit: www.kwf.org/LLC.
Click here to download a poster with complete details.
Classical Idol 9 Returns on April 18th!
For the ninth consecutive year Classical Idol™ presents young rising stars in an incredible live competition. Contestants from all over the world gather in Rochester for a chance to become the next Classical Idol™.
Contestants are critiqued in real-time by world class judges including Pavarotti's long time friend and Italian coach, the legendary Maestro Gildo DiNunzio of the Met, baritone Jonathan Beyer (pictured left), the 2010 Classical Idol Winner, international performing artist an Artist-in-Residence at Roberts Weslyan, Constance Fee, and WXXI's own Music Director Julia Figueras.
The Final Competition Performance Gala will take place on April 18, 2015, at 7 PM and feature a wine & cheese tasting, elegant desserts, fresh brewed coffee and tea.
Tickets are $75.00 per person, table prices are available here. Classical Idol 9™ will take place at Temple B’rith Kodesh 2131 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618. Buy tickets from any ROS member, online or call the ROS office at (585) 473-2234.)
Click here for more news about Rochester's Classical Idol 9™.
|
Tenor, Matthew Valverde |
|
Rochester Opera Guild's Newest Reading Rooms Online
Contained in the navigation tab of Reading Rooms is the new digital library of the Opera Guild of Rochester. Here you will find various materials for your research and reading pleasure. We intend to enrich the content of this library both in depth and breadth. If you have suggestions for and/or contributions of new content, please contact us at operaguildofrochester@gmail.com.
Opera Guild of Rochester Seeks Volunteers
Have fun & enjoy the company of other opera fans by joining those who make the Guild run.
We are seeking volunteers for the following positions: Document Designer, Mail and Database Maintenance Specialist, and Audio/Visual Technician.
More volunteer positions will be posted soon. If you would like to volunteer in some other way, just let us know what your interest is and we will certainly find a place to accommodate it! Contact us by sending an e-mail to operaguildofrochester@gmail.com.
