Call for Volunteers
Enjoy meeting others in Rochester's opera community and contributing to the availability of opera activities by volunteering for the Opera Guild! Currently there are two jobs posted: Event Host or Hostess, Mail & Database Assistant. Click on links for the job descriptions.
Let us know of your interest by contacting Carol Crocca, Director of Development, at [email protected].
|
|
Edition Viva Voce, October 2016
|
|
The Opera Guild of Rochester, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a mission to support opera and opera education in the greater Rochester area.
The Guild presents free opera lectures at local libraries, tours to productions of local opera companies and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and our popular Beat-the-Blahs, Haskell Rosenberg Memorial Series, at Temple B'rith Kodesh in Brighton.
Our Website serves as a clearinghouse for local and regional opera, concert, and recital information, with links to other music organizations in our area. Please visit us at operaguildofrochester.org.
This newsletter is sent via eMail each month, currently to over 3,000 subscribers. For a free subscription send your contact details, including your eMail address, to [email protected].
Reader Article submission deadline for the next issue is the 15th of the previous month.
|
|
|
|
|
To Recent Opera Guild of Rochester Donors
Thank you kindly for your donation. Some were received with neither an email nor a snail mail address, which prevents us from sending you a tax receipt. Please rectify if you think it necessary, either by eMail at [email protected], or by snail mail at Opera Guild of Rochester, P.O. Box 92245, Rochester, NY 14692-0245.
TO THOSE WHO WISH TO DONATE ONLINE: We have encountered an unforeseen requirement for the online donation process which is being worked out now. When completed, the system will be available here and easy to use. We anticipate that it will be available shortly, and appreciate your patience. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Return to Contents |
October 1 -- Tobias Greenhalgh
In concert at the Lyric Theater, Saturday at 7:30 pm
440 East Avenue, Rochester NY
Presented by the Rochester Lyric Opera
Tobias Greenhalgh is one of five upcoming lyric baritones featured in the June issue of Opera News magazine. His appearance is underwritten by Judith Ranaletta, his former teacher at Greece Athena High School, and Hon. John C. Nifo II. There will be a special piano dedication by the Opera Guild of Rochester.
General admissions $25, $20 for seniors.
Tickets can be obtained
at the door or on the website of Rochester Lyric Opera.
|
 |
|
|
Photo © Christoph Seidl
|
Opera News recently described baritone Tobias Greenhalgh as "clearly headed for success." His recent credits include the title role in
Eugene Onegin, Argante (
Rinaldo), Cecco (
Gli Uccelatori), Le Directeur/Gendarme (
Les Mammelles de Tiresias), and Ramiro (
L'heure Espangole) at the Wiener Kammeroper in Vienna, Austria. In 2015, Tobias also sang the role of Schaunard (
La Bohème) with Palm Beach Opera and Argante (
Rinaldo) at the New Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia.
The future includes further engagements in Germany, Vienna and Palm Beach, in addition to roles or concerts with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and the NY Collegiate Chorale. Recently, Tobias collaborated with Czech choreographer and dancer Martin Dvorak to create a newly-staged version of Schubert's Winterreise, which he will perform several times in Central Europe this season.
As a young artist, Tobias Greenhalgh was associated with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Wolf Trapp Opera, and Palm Beach. He often appeared on the concert stage, and joined the Opera Orchestra of New York for a gala concert at Alice Tully Hall. He has performed at the Brooklyn Art Song Society and with the New York Festival of Song, the Caramoor Center for Music and the 2013 Toronto Summer Music Festival.
Mr. Greenhalgh is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School, from which he earned both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. Competition wins include grand prize in Metropolitan International Music Festival Competition, 2013 Liederkranz Competition (1st, opera division), Mario Lanza Competition (1st), Oratorio Society of New York Competition (2nd); Gerda Lissner and Nico Dostal Operetta Competitions (3rds), encouragement award, Marilyn Horne Song Competition. He has received several career grants and awards, and he is the co-creator of
Operation Superpower, a superhero opera for kids that promotes an anti-bullying stance. It was featured on a PBS Newshour special on entrepreneurship in the classical arts and has been performed by the Canadian Opera Company, Opera Saratoga, The Peoria Symphony, and Young Audiences.
|
Met HD 2016-2017 Season
Tristan und Isolde
, Richard Wagner
Sat, Oct 8, 2016 12:00 PM
Tristan und Isolde opens the Met season in a new production by Mariusz Trelinski (the director responsible for last season's double bill of Iolanta and Bluebeard's Castle), and will be well served by a cast of outstanding Wagnerians: Nina Stemme as Isolde, Stuart Skelton as Tristan, Ekaterina Gubanova as Brangäne, and René Pape as King Marke, with Sir Simon Rattle conducting, in one of his rare appearances at the Met.
Don Giovanni
, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sat, Oct 22, 2016 12:55 PM
Simon Keenlyside will perform the role of the title hero, who goes to hell in a dazzling coup de théâtre. The ensemble of great Mozartean singers includes Hibla Gerzmava, Malin Byström, Serena Malfi, Rolando Villazón, Adam Plachetka, Matthew Rose, and Kwangchul Youn. Conducted by Fabio Luisi.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
L'Amour de Loin
, Kaija Saariaho
Sat, Dec 10, 2016 12:55 PM
Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho's breakthrough opera was described by the New York Times as "transfixing...a lushly beautiful score." Commissioned by the Salzburg Festival, where it was first seen in 2000, it will now finally have its Metropolitan Opera premiere in a dazzling new production by Robert Lepage, featuring glimmering ribbons of LED lights that extend across the length of the stage and over the orchestra pit. Eric Owens is the knight on a quest of love and Susanna Phillips is his lover on the other side of the sea. Conductor Susanna Mälkki makes her Met debut.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
Nabucco, Giuseppe Verdi
Sat, Jan 7, 2017 12:55 PM
The legendary Plácido Domingo brings another new baritone role to the Met under the baton of his longtime collaborator James Levine. Liudmyla Monastyrska is Abigaille, the warrior woman determined to rule empires, and Jamie Barton is the heroic Fenena. Dmitri Belosselskiy is the stentorian voice of the oppressed Hebrew people.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
Roméo et Juliette
, Charles Gounod
Sat, Jan 21, 2017 12:55 PM
When Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo starred opposite each other in Manon at the Met in 2015, the New York Times said, "the temperature rises nearly to boiling every time Damrau and Grigolo are on stage together." Now they're back as opera's classic lovers, in Gounod's lush Shakespeare adaptation. The production, by director Bartlett Sher, has already won acclaim for its vivid 18th-century milieu and stunning costumes during runs at Salzburg and La Scala. Gianandrea Noseda conducts the sumptuous score.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
Rusalka
, Antonín Dvorák
Sat, Feb 25, 2017 12:55 PM
Kristine Opolais stars in the role that helped launch her international career, the mythical Rusalka, who sings the haunting "Song to the Moon." Mary Zimmerman brings her wondrous theatrical imagination to Dvorák's fairy tale of love and longing, rejection and redemption. Brandon Jovanovich, Jamie Barton, Katarina Dalayman, and Eric Owens complete the all-star cast, and Mark Elder conducts.
La Traviata
, Giuseppe Verdi
Sat, Mar 11, 2017 12:55 PM
Sonya Yoncheva sings one of opera's most beloved heroines, the tragic courtesan Violetta, a role in which she triumphed on the Met stage in 2015, opposite Michael Fabiano as her lover, Alfredo, and Thomas Hampson as his father, Germont. Nicola Luisotti conducts.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
Idomeneo
, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sat, Mar 25, 2017 12:55 PM
Mozart's first operatic masterpiece returns to the Met in the classic Jean-Pierre Ponnelle production, conducted by Music Director James Levine. The superb ensemble includes Matthew Polenzani as the king torn by a rash vow; mezzo-soprano Alice Coote in the trouser role of his noble son Idamante; soprano Nadine Sierra as Ilia; and soprano Elza van den Heever as the volatile Elettra, who loves Idamante to the bounds of madness.
Eugene Onegin
, Peter Tchaikovsky
Sat, Apr 22, 2017 12:55 PM
Tchaikovsky's setting of Pushkin's timeless verse novel is presented on the Met stage in Deborah Warner's moving production, starring Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky as Tatiana and Onegin. Alexey Dolgov sings the role of Lenski, and Robin Ticciati conducts.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
Der Rosenkavalier
, Richard Strauss
Sat, May 13, 2017 12:30 PM
The dream cast of Renée Fleming as the Marschallin and Elīna Garanča as Octavian star in Strauss's grandest opera. In his new production, Robert Carsen, the director behind the Met's recent Falstaff, places the action at the end of the Habsburg Empire, underscoring the opera's subtext of class and conflict against a rich backdrop of gilt and red damask, in a staging that also stars Günther Groissböck as Baron Ochs. Sebastian Weigle conducts the sparklingly perfect score.
For a complete synopsis Click Here
|
Notice to Tinseltown Attendees of Met HD Simulcasts
Tinseltown in Gates is converting to reserved lounge seating and there will be fewer seats available. Tickets may be reserved in advance but the website is not functional at press time. We recommend that you visit or call the box office at (585) 247-0042 with your inquiries. Remember to ask about subscriptions and discounts.
Return to Contents
|
Fall 2016 Opera Tour
Metropolitan Opera Tour, Fall 2016
The Guild organizes informal group trips to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The Guild will buy tickets and make group hotel and restaurant reservations. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. You need not attend all three operas nor join the group for meals.
Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (new production)
Monday, October 17, 2016
With a star-studded cast: Nina Stemme, (Isolde), Stuart Skelton (Tristan), Ekaterina Gubanova (Brangäne), Evgeny Nikitin (Kurwenal), and René Pape (King Marke). Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
Rossini's Guillaume Tell (new production)
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
With Marina Rebeka (Mathilde), Gerald Finley (William Tell), Janai Brugger (Jemmy), Marianna Pizzolato (Hedwige), Bryan Hymel (Arnold), and Marco Spotti (Walter Fürst). Conductor: Fabio Luisi.
Rossini's epic telling of the William Tell fable returns to the Met stage after an absence of more than 80 years. Gerald Finley sings one of his signature roles as William Tell, the revolutionary on a quest for freedom.
Mozart's Don Giovanni
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
With Hibla Gerzmava (Donna Anna), Mailin Bystrom (Donna Elvira), Serena Malfi (Zerlina), Rolando Villazón (Don Ottavio), Simon Keenlyside (Don Giovanni), Adam Plachetka (Leporello), Matthew Rose (Masetto), and Kwangchul Youn (Commendatore). Conductor: Fabio Luisi.
See Met HD Season, above, for links to opera casts and descriptions.
For the tour brochure and registration information Click Here.
|
Syracuse Opera 2016 - 2017 Season
Friday, Oct 28, 2016, 8 PM
Sunday, Oct 30, 2016, 2 PM
Sung in Italian with projected subtitles.
In his variation of the traditional Cinderella story, the wicked stepmother is replaced by a wicked stepfather, Don Magnifico. The Fairy Godmother is replaced by Alidoro, a philosopher and the Prince's tutor. Cinderella is identified not by her glass slipper but by her bracelet.
Friday, Feb 10, 2017, 8 PM
Sunday, Feb 12, 2017, 2 PM
Sung in Italian with projected subtitles.
Its tragic story revolves around the licentious Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto and Rigoletto's beautiful daughter Gilda.
Friday, Apr 7, 2017, 8 PM
Sunday, Apr 9, 2017, 2 PM
Tchaikovsky's
Eugene Onegin
Sung in Russian with projected subtitles.
The story concerns a selfish hero who lives to regret his blasé rejection of a young woman's love and his careless incitement of a fatal duel with his best friend.
For more information Click Here
|
2016 - 2017 Season
|
La traviata,
Guiseppe Verdi
|
The Forum Theater
236 Washington Street
Binghamton, NY
|
3:00 PM, Oct 16, 2016
|
|
Hansel and Gretel,
Englebert Humperdinck
|
The Opera Center
315 Clinton Street
Binghamton, NY
|
7:30 PM Nov 11, 12, 18, 19
3:00 PM Nov 13,20
|
L'Heure Espagnole
Brettl-lider (cabaret songs)
|
The Opera Center
315 Clinton Street
Binghamton, NY
|
7:30 PM Feb 17,24
3:00 PM Feb 19, 26
|
Hydrogen Jukebox
Ginsberg/Glass
|
315 Clinton Street
Binghamton, NY
|
7:30 PM April 21, 28
3:00 PM April 23, 30
|
|
Eastman Opera 2016-2017 Season Preview
The Turn of the Screw
Benjamin Britten, libretto by Myfanwy Piper
November 3, 4, 5 at 7:30 PM
November 6 at 2:00 PM
Kilbourn Hall
Out of Darkness
Jake Heggie
February 2, 4, 9, 11 at 7:30 PM
Annex 804
Selected Chamber Works
Jake Heggie
February 3 at 7:30 PM
February 5, 12 at 2:00 PM
Annex 804
Cendrillon
Jules Massenet, libretto by Henri Caïn
April 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 PM
April 9 at 2:00 PM
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater
Tickets sold at Eastman Theater Box Office, (585) 274-3000
Return to Contents
|
|
|
OCTOBER 6 TO NOVEMBER 5, 2016
|
More Info, Buy Tickets
|
Ariodante
|
OCTOBER 16 TO NOVEMBER 4, 2016
|
More Info, Buy Tickets
|
The Magic Flute
|
JANUARY 19 TO FEBRUARY 24, 2017
|
More Info, Buy Tickets
|
Götterdämmerung
|
FEBRUARY 2 TO 25, 2017
|
More Info, Buy Tickets
|
Louis Riel
|
APRIL 20 TO MAY 13, 2017
|
More Info, Buy Tickets
|
Tosca
|
APRIL 30 TO MAY 20, 2017
|
More Info, Buy Tickets
|
|
2017 Rochester Opera Competitions
Watch for additional information closer to the events.
Friends of Eastman Opera's Voice Finals Competition
Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, 8 pm (free)
Eastman School of Music
Kilbourn Hall
Each academic year the Friends of Eastman Opera sponsor an aria competition adjudicated by an outside guest from the opera world for Eastman students who are seniors or graduate students. Finalists will prepare three arias featuring at least two languages. For general information,
Click Here.
Eleventh Annual Classical Idol Competition
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 7:30 pm
Temple B'rith Kodesh
2131 Elmwood Avenue
The Rochester Oratorical Society presents the finalists in its annual international competition for young artists on the rise. For more information,
Click Here.
Lotte Lenya Competition
Saturday, April 22, 2017, free
In prior competitions, 11 am to 3pm, semi-finals; finals in the evening
Eastman School of Music
Kilbourn Hall
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music sponsors this international competition for versatile singers aged 19-32 who must perform opera/operetta, both older and contemporary Broadway selections, and the music of Kurt Weill. For more general information about the competition,
Click Here.
Return to Contents
|
Tour to Syracuse Opera
FYI, there will be an Opera Guild of Rochester tour to Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin on Sunday, April 9, 2017, by the Syracuse Opera. Details to follow closer to the event.
|
Reader Articles
This section brings you articles written by anyone involved in opera, from impresarios, to singers, to fans. If you have seen a performance that you want to review, or have attended a class or workshop that you want to write about, or have a story or a review that would interest others, we encourage you to submit it to us and we will schedule it for inclusion. Please send your submissions to [email protected]. We generally limit articles to a nominal 500 words. All submissions are subject to editorial review.
|
From your Opera Guild
On October 1, your Guild will be pleased to dedicate the piano used in Tobias Greenhalgh's recital to the Rochester Lyric Opera. By providing this excellent piano, the Opera Guild has made a significant contribution to the development of the Lyric Theater as an important opera and music venue in Rochester.
|
Please consider the Opera Guild of Rochester among your charitable organizations for 2016. Donations to the Opera Guild of Rochester are fully tax deductible and donors will receive an invitation to the Annual Recital in May 2017, which is our gift to our donors, followed by dessert reception with the artists.
Enjoy our free Lecture/Listening series, which you can download from the Website at operaguildofrochester.org by clicking on Reading Room. While at our Website you can also learn about our opera program at Temple B'rith Kodesh, our opera trips to regional opera companies including the Glimmerglass Festival, and our Metropolitan Opera trips.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
