JOHANNESBURG – Retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who earned a Nobel for his peaceful opposition to apartheid, is urging the Cape Town Opera troupe not to tour Israel until discrimination there ends.

In a statement Tuesday Tutu compared the troupe’s visit next month to international artists performing in apartheid South Africa.

He says it would be “unconscionable” to perform “Porgy and Bess,” which he says has a “universal message of nondiscrimination.”

Tutu charges that by bringing international artists to perform, the Tel Aviv Opera House “advances Israel’s fallacious claim to being a ‘civilized democracy.’”

Tutu has emerged as a sharp critic of Israel. Last month, he backed calls for a South African academic boycott of Israel.

Tutu urges South African opera not to tour Israel (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The opera will be held at Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., at 7:30 p.m.

The ETERNAL TAO, an electronic opera, integrates voices, instruments, video, electronics, dancers and lighting. This piece has involved a multi-channel sound system with projected visual images.

Though the project has parallels with traditional opera (voices, instruments and staging) it is ultimately different in that singers are a part of the ensemble, but not featured soloists.

The text of the production is derived from Tao Te Ching, which is thought to be one of the most influential books of all times. Written by Lao Tzu approximately 2,500 years ago, it consists of 81 short poems that do not provide any particular ideology, but instead describe a profound observation of the human condition. According to Choi, the impetus of the production is to place the Tao Te Ching in a contemporary setting and “experience a shared moment of seeing ourselves with open eyes.”

“It is intended to create an experience that, without judgment, helps us to understand what and how we are doing in the world,” says Choi, who has been interested in Taoism, Buddhism and other philosophies that are related to human enlightenment.

Performers include JulieAnn Zavala, mezzo-soprano; Brad Jungwirth, baritone supported by a chorus featuring Samantha Stein, Allison Hull, Jeff Jablonski and Chadley Ballantyne. Musicians are the chamber ensemble group Dal Niente led by conductor Michael Lewanski. Dancers include Mei Kuang Chen, Allison Anich and Natalie Williams.

Kyong Mee Choi, an Edgewater resident, teaches composition and electro-acoustic music at Roosevelt, and is an active painter, organist and poet. Choi began composing in 1996 and has had a number of works recognized by numerous organizations including the Luigi Russolo International Electro-Acoustic Competition; the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publicities (ASCAP) and the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS). She also won the Robert Helps Composition Prize for her work titled Gestural Trajectory in 2007.

The ETERNAL TAO is being supported by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. It is free of charge and will be preceded by a painting exhibition by Choi at 4 p.m. and a pre-concert talk at 6 p.m., also in Ganz Hall. Reservations are not required.

For more information, call 312-322-7137; email kchoi@roosevelt.edu or visit www.kyongmeechoi.com.

# # #

Multimedia Opera Production to Debut at Roosevelt University | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

LOS ANGELES – Three very different singers and a group of special-effects wizards got talent — and votes.

Soulful 30-year-old crooner Michael Grimm, flashy 32-year-old showman John “Prince Poppycock” Quale, 10-year-old opera phenom Jackie Evancho and 13-man performance troupe Fighting Gravity are advancing to the “America’s Got Talent” finale. The four acts were revealed Wednesday to have received the most viewer votes on the NBC variety competition.

“It feels like a dream come true,” beamed Evancho after the show Wednesday.

Evancho, the sprightly singing sensation who displays more natural effervescence offstage than any Nickelodeon or Disney Channel star, reached Susan Boyle status online this summer with her surprisingly classical opera style. The Pittsburgh native doesn’t know what she’ll sing in next Tuesday’s finale but hopes to wear a “bigger, prettier dress.”

The 13 fraternity brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., that make up Fighting Gravity plan to top their space-themed routine from Tuesday’s episode with a new performance which promises to be “beyond space.” The team, reminiscent of the Blue Man Group, utilize black lights and other props to create illusions within darkness.

“It’s a tremendous amount of pressure,” said 22-year-old member Danny Kang, one of three members that are actually visible in their routines. “We really, really want to step it up this time and just blow people away. We don’t want to play it safe. We are going to take some risks this time. There are going to be some safety concerns in this routine.”

Michael Grimm, the soft-spoken singer from Waveland, Miss., isn’t sure about what he’ll do for the finale after performing Tuesday for the first time on “America’s Got Talent” without his guitar. Grimm, who collects stamps when off stage, said he’s considering delivering a ballad with his guitar then taking it off for the rest of the performance.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I didn’t think I was going to make it through tonight.”

There are already several ideas for the next routine from Prince Poppycock, the outlandish operatic creation of Quale, whose previous spectacles include belting out “Bohemian Rhapsody” while smashing blue-and-white china and chirping “Yankee Doodle Dandy” in front of leggy backup dancers sporting U.S. flags and a replica of the Capitol building.

“I’m going to bring more of an emotionally connected performance than perhaps you’ve seen in the past,” teased Quale. “I feel it’s a strength that I have as a performer that hasn’t really been showcased as much because I’ve been focused so much on spectacle. I’ll still bring spectacle, but hopefully an emotionally resonant performance as well.”

___

NBC is owned by NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.

___

Online:

http://www.nbc.com/agt/

Final 4 acts advance on ‘America’s Got Talent’ (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

PHILADELPHIA – Condoleezza Rice is no stranger to the whims of royalty. So when the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, decided the two should get together to play a song or two for charity, it was decreed.

The former U.S. secretary of state and Franklin took the stage Tuesday evening at Philadelphia’s Mann Music Center in a rare duet for Rice, the classically trained pianist, and Franklin, the divalicious voice of a generation. Their aim was to raise money for urban children and awareness for music and the arts.

“It is a joint effort for the inner-city youth of Philadelphia and Detroit,” Franklin told The Associated Press the night before their concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Their appearance overflowed with Franklin’s catalog of hits and arias from the world of opera and classical music.

“We decided to give it a try,” Franklin said. “So here we are, in the city of Brotherly — and Sisterly — Love.”

Rice, better known as a diplomat and national security adviser, accompanied Franklin singing her hit “I Say A Little Prayer” as well as “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Rice said she practiced furiously for her performance of Mozart’s piano concerto in D Minor with the orchestra.

Franklin’s repertoire included songs from her new album “A Woman Falling Out of Love,” to be released later this year.

Rice’s given name is derived from the Italian opera stage instruction con dolcezza, meaning “with sweetness.” Long a musician of note, she played from elementary school through college and beyond, in quartets and performing chamber music.

She has even played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. But, she said this was “the first time I’ve played with an orchestra since I was 18.”

When she learned that Rice played classical music, Franklin sent for one of her recordings “to hear what she sounded like.”

Previously, she said, “All I had seen of Dr. Rice was in a political atmosphere. It just seemed foreign that she would be a classical pianist.”

Franklin was surprised.

“She really does play,” Franklin said. “She’s formidable.”

The two met at a White House function, Rice recalled. “We were just talking and chatting and she said ‘You play, don’t you?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’ And she said we should do something together.”

Rice told the AP their plan to play together was borne of their mutual appreciation for music and determination to keep it near and accessible to children.

Franklin, relaxing in her hotel suite and holding a single long-stemmed peach-hued rose, deplored school budget cuts of music and arts programs as “a travesty” that cannot be allowed.

“Imagine what all of this would be without music. If you have to cut, cut something else. Not the music. We need the music. It soothes the savage beast. We need the music.”

Rice, in a separate interview, agreed.

“Nothing makes me more unhappy than when I hear people talk about music education in the schools as extracurricular,” Rice said.

Both women lauded each other’s talents, and abilities, but Rice made it clear she’ll leave the singing to Franklin.

“You do not want to hear me sing!” Rice said. “I’m a good choir musician, but I think I will stick to playing the piano.”

___

Online:

Mann Center Program: http://bit.ly/d4mugC

Aretha and Rice make music at Philly concert (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

NEW YORK – The Metropolitan Opera survived a brutal fiscal year in 2009, losing tens of millions of dollars on Wall Street while expenses kept climbing, according to tax returns filed this week.

The company finished the year with its net worth down substantially and sizable debts looming in coming years. In financial statements, filed on Monday, the opera house listed net assets of $236 million, down from $380 million a year earlier.

Like many major arts organizations, the Met has been struggling to maintain artistic quality and innovation while riding an economic roller coaster.

“Since the costs of running the world’s biggest opera house have always been greater than its earned revenues, the Met has regularly faced enormous financial challenges throughout its history,” General Manager Peter Gelb told The CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM.

In the first year of the recession, 2008, a company counting on good investment returns didn’t get them. The Met wound up scrambling for operating money just as lavish new productions were being staged under the new leadership of Gelb, who became general manager in 2006.

Despite the gloomy financial picture, the company spent more in its 2009 fiscal year than it had a year earlier. Salaries rose by more than $6 million.

Meanwhile, the opera’s investment portfolios dropped in value. The organization’s financial statements listed $40.8 million in losses, after expenses and dividends, in fiscal 2009 compared to a $14.3 million loss a year earlier. The opera’s pension fund lost $20 million in investments.

The financial filings also appear to show a drop in donor support, although Met spokesman Peter Clark said that, overall, gifts have increased in recent years, including a 5 percent increase through the current season. Contributions and grants were listed as falling to $105 million, from $164 million.

Met officials have taken steps in the past half-year to trim expenses and boost revenue.

Stagehands who had been due a 2.5 percent salary raise in June delayed it until the 2010-11 season. And to help cover operating costs on a short-term basis, the opera was forced to dip into its endowment. It asked several donors to ease restrictions on how their gifts could be spent, freeing up $22 million.

A gift of $30 million from philanthropist Ann Ziff was announced in March, with most of the money available this year and the rest over the next four years. The gift from Ziff, whose husband was the publishing executive William Ziff and whose mother was the soprano Harriet Henders, is the largest in the institution’s history.

Early in 2009, Gelb replaced four planned major revivals for the 2009-10 season with productions of standard repertory less expensive to rehearse and stage.

Some financial pressures still loom for the organization, including a $35 million back loan due to be repaid in 2011 and a $57 million pension plan deficit.

Gelb said the Met has attracted larger audiences worldwide with productions such as Rossini’s “Armida,” starring soprano Renee Fleming, and Verdi’s “Attila,” with costumes by designer Miuccia Prada, which helped boost attendance to 88 percent of paid capacity last season, up about 10 percent over the average of the previous few years.

High-definition movie theater broadcasts, which the Met spent $4.5 million developing, are now also earning a modest profit.

“The Met has managed through difficult times in the past,” Gelb said. “Now, by increasing the public’s interest in opera with our recent artistic successes and public initiatives, we are confident that we will thrive in the future, as well.”

NY’s Metropolitan Opera reports 2009 fiscal woes (AP) | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CHICAGO, IL (May 19, 2010)—Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) Opera for All, concluding its 10th year, is an educational outreach program that works with Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) to bring opera to Chicagoelementary students at five Chicago Public Schools: Clinton Elementary, Hampton Elementary, McKinley Park, Reilly Elementary and Von Humboldt.   

This year’s curriculum began in the fall of 2009 concentrating on the ancient myth of “Jason and the Argonauts” and Cavalli’s Jason (Giasone), which was presented as part of Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season. Students are currently performing their operatic adaptation titled: Cavalli’s Giasone: Jason and the Golden Fleece.

This year, 330 participating students have created an original performance by taking inspiration from the opera Jason, while also looking to the original mythological sources. In studying these stories the students explored the hero’s journey from the power of the gods to mapping the physical journey itself.

 ”I am very proud of the impact that we have made with Opera for All over the past ten years,” said COT General Director Brian Dickie.  “Not only is arts education an important part of Chicago Opera Theater’s mission to bring opera to the next generation, but we also feel that it is crucial to a child’s well-rounded development.”

COT Education & Outreach Manager Linden Christ continued, “This year the students have collaborated with teaching artists to create an opera that is a unique take on classic mythology. They’ve come up with their own twist on gods and mortals that includes a panel of gods and goddesses debating about the fates of love versus war and incorporates audience participation.”

As part of Chicago Opera Theater’s mission to make opera fresh, engaging, and accessible to the entire community, COT developed an educational outreach program in the spring of 2000. This outreach initiative, known as Opera for All, focuses on demystifying opera for kids through in-depth, participation based programs. COT brings opera to the schools, infuses it into student’s everyday lives, and gives them a chance to experience it firsthand as both audience members and as performers. Working closely with classroom teachers, teaching artists from Opera for All incorporate the many elements of opera allowing students to collaborate and make their very own opera. This curriculum has become a crucial supplement for elementary school students in the Chicago Public Schools and addresses specific Illinois Learning Standards while supplementing participation-based classroom activities with field trips and visits by members of COT’s Young Artists Program. At the end of the year, students perform an abridged version of an opera for classmates and family members. The partnership at Reilly Elementary also offers group violin lessons for students who then serve as part of the Opera for All ensemble at the final performance.

Beginning in the 2008-09 school year Opera for All partnered with CAPE to create an informational website for teachers, students, and donors. This year the partnership was increased and CAPE artists joined COT teaching artists to create a more in-depth and behind-the-scenes experience! CAPE artists worked with the students to focus on all the elements of opera including: composition, staging, props, set design and videography.

The final performances this year will be as follows: Von Humboldt Elementary School, 2620 West Hirsch Street, on May 25th at 9:30am & 11:30am; Reilly Elementary, 3650 West School Street, on June 2nd 9:30am & 11:30am; and Hampton Elementary, 3434 West 77th Street, June 9th at 10:30am and 11:30am.

ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.

Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful – an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

For more information visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org or call 312.704.8414.

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Chicago Opera Theater’s OPERA FOR ALL Concludes Its 10th Year! | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

April 17, 21, 23, 25, 2010 at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) presents the opening production of the 2010 Spring Festival Season – Rossini’s Moses in Egypt (Mosè in Egitto) on April 17, 21, 23 and 25 at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park.

“Moses in Egypt was only performed in Chicago once – back in 1863 during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency,” said General Director Brian Dickie. “We like to think our fellow Illinoisan, who we know did enjoy the theatre, might have been at that performance. Of course, we’ll never know – but we look forward to introducing present-day Chicagoans to this very great opera.”

Moses in Egypt is one of Rossini’s many serious but underperformed operas.  Chicago Opera Theater will be presenting the U.S. premiere using the edition by Charles Brauner for Philip Gossett’s critical edition of Rossini’s complete works.

Mr. Gossett, the Robert W. Reneker Distinguished Service Professor at The University of Chicago and a professor “di chiara fama” at the Univeristy of Rome “La Sapienza,” is the  general editor of Works of Gioachino Rossini (a publication of Bärenreiter-Verlag, Kassel.)

The story concentrates on Moses freeing the Hebrews from Egypt.  The opera ends with the famous parting of the Red Sea, as well as the beautiful and famous “Prayer: From thy starry throne (Dal tuo stellato soglio.)”

In 2008, Chicago Opera Theater launched The People’s Opera, the first fundraising initiative of its kind, in which the public voted, dollar by dollar, to choose one of the operas in the 2010 season.  Moses in Egypt was named The People’s Opera, and raised over $40K for Chicago Opera Theater.

The production will be led by Leonardo Vordoni, known for his specialty in Italian repertory, who has conducted most recently at the Minnesota Opera (Les Pecheurs de Perles and Casanova’s Homecoming.)  He will be making his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut later this month in Le nozze di Figaro.

The director will be Andrew Eggert who made his directorial debut with Chicago Opera Theater in last season’s production of Bizet’s La Tragédie de Carmen after eight seasons as assistant director on thirteen COT productions.  His new production of Mourning Becomes Electra was selected as a winner of Opera America’s 2009 Director-Designer Showcase.

Designing both the set and costumes is Anka Lupes, making her Chicago Opera Theater debut.  She has worked numerous times with regular COT director Diane Paulus, including creating the costumes for the Glimmerglass production of Kiss Me Kate in 2008, and more recently in January, for Gotham Chamber Opera’s production of Il mondo della luna.

Returning to Chicago Opera Theater from 2009 is lighting designer Keith Parham.  He is a company member of TUTA Theatre, and has worked at The Public Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, and the Writers’ Theatre, among many others.

In the title role is Andrea Concetti (bass) making his Chicago debut.  He has performed with La Scala, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the Berlin State Opera, and the Minnesota Opera. Manuela Bisceglie (soprano) sings the role of Elcia in her North American debut.

In the past two seasons, Ms. Bisceglie has sung in a number of Italian opera houses including in Florence, Bologna, and Trieste.  Singing the role of Faraone is Tom Corbeil (bass), who recently sang at Santa Fe Opera and Florida Grand Opera, and who will sing later this season at Ft. Worth Opera.

Taylor Stayton (tenor), who will sing Osiride, made his debut earlier this year at Teatro dell’opera di Roma in Franco Zeffirelli’s new production of Falstaff. Kathryn Leemhuis (mezzo, Amaltea), Samuel Levine (tenor, Mambre), Jorge Prego (tenor, Aronne), and Emily Grace Righter (mezzo, Amenofi) complete the cast.

The chorus is made up mostly of the 2010 class of Chicago Opera Theater’s Young Artists Program, a performance-based training program for young professional singers.  These participants have the opportunity to work with the innovative artistic teams which are the hallmark of Chicago Opera Theater under General Director Brian Dickie.

The intention is to provide an artistic benchmark for young artists as they commence their careers, recognizing performance experience of standard and new repertoire as an essential training element.

Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season runs April 17 through May 16 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, 205 East Randolph Drive.

Season Subscriptions for the 2010 Spring Festival Season range from $90-$345 and include a ticket to Moses in Egypt, as well as Cavalli’s Jason (Giasone) and Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers.

Single tickets are also on sale, and range from $30-$120.  COT also offers a 50% discounted student rate in most sections.

Tickets may be purchased at Chicago Opera Theater: ChicagoOperaTheater.org or  312.704.8414.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Harris Theater:  HarrisTheaterChicago.org or 312.334.7777.

Moses in Egypt is generously supported by The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation and an Anonymous Donor.

Gioachino Rossini
MOSES IN EGYPT (Mosè in Egitto)
April 17, 21, 23 at 7:30pm; April 25 at 3pm

CAST (Alphabetical)

Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Chicago Opera Theater Young Artists -2010

Blake Bard, Leila Bowie, Rabihah Davis Dunn, Catalina Cuervo, Darik Knutsen, Benjamin LeClair,
Samuel Levine, Rebecca Luttio, Jorge Prego, Emily Grace Righter, Nikolas Wenzel, Martin L. Woods

MEDIA CONTACT:

Colleen Flanigan, 312-704-8420, Ext. 225
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org

Chicago Opera Theater presents Gioachino Rossini’s “Moses in Egypt” | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

SYDNEY — About 5,200 naked people embraced each other on the steps of Sydney’s iconic Opera House on Monday for a photo shoot by Spencer Tunick.

Tunick, who is known for his nude group photos in public spaces, posed participants for more than an hour in a variety of positions.

“It was difficult to get the straight participants to embrace the gay participants and vice versa,” Tunick said. “So I was very happy that that last set up finally got done and everyone came together (in a) united, friendly kiss, a loving kiss in front of this great structure.”

Nineteen-year-old student Art Rush said he was thrilled to participate.

“I’ll never get a chance to do this again; it’s not worth being inhibited,” Rush said. “It doesn’t feel sexual, it just feels tribal, a gathering of humanity.”

Tunick has made a name for himself with his works featuring hundreds of naked people at unusual venues.

Tunick, who is shy and adheres to mostly black dress, prefers to be called an artist, not a photographer and refers to his work as installations.

Read the original article on DailyHerald.com.

5,200 Australians bare all for photo shoot | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Tickets go on sale by phone and in person on Monday, March 1st from 9am-5pm at 312-704-8414 or at 70 East Lake Street, Suite 815.  Purchasing “fee-free” tickets will end Monday, March 1 at 11:59pm.

General Director Brian Dickie announced Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season in March of 2009.

The season opens with the 2008 People’s Opera winner and a rare serious Rossini opera: Moses in Egypt (Mosè in Egitto); next is the anchor of the City of Chicago’s Early Music Festival and the hilarious comedy Francesco Cavalli’s Jason (Giasone); and the season closes with Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers, featuring Frederica von Stade in her final opera performances in Chicago before retirement.

Chicago Opera Theater also presents a one-night-only concert with Frederica von Stade and Jake Heggie on May 10, 2010. Accompanied by Mr. Heggie, Ms. Von Stade will sing a program of Heggie’s own works, as well as Broadway and opera favorites.

The 2010 Spring Festival Season runs April 17 through May 16 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

Moses in Egypt Production Sponsors:  The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Anonymous Donor.  Jason Production Sponsors:  The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Suzanne L. Wagner.

Three Decembers Production Sponsors:  The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Julie and Roger Baskes, James and Joan Shapiro, Orli and Bill Staley, National Endowment for the Arts.  Part of Chicago Opera Theater’s Young Artists Program is generously underwritten by Lois B. Seigel.

CHICAGO OPERA THEATER’S “FEE-FREE” WEEKEND

What:

All ticket fees waived when purchasing tickets to Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season.

When:

Online at ChicagoOperaTheater.org from Friday, Feb. 26 at midnight until Monday, March 1 at 11:59pm.

By phone at 312.704.8414 or in person at 70 E Lake St, Suite 815 in Chicago  on Monday, March 1 from 9am-5pm.

Tickets:

Individual tickets range from $30-$120 and subscriptions to all three operas range from $90-$345, with half-priced tickets to students and youth under 18 in most sections.

2010 Dates:

Gioachino Rossini
Moses in Egypt (Mosè in Egitto)
April 17, 21, and 23 at 7:30pm; April 25 at 3pm

Francesco Cavalli
Jason (Giasone)
April 24, 28, 30 at 7:30pm; May 2 at 3pm

Jake Heggie
Three Decembers
May 8, 12, 14 at 7:30pm; May 16 at 3pm

An Evening with Frederica von Stade and Jake Heggie
May 10 at 7:30pm

Chicago Opera Theater announces a fee-free weekend | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Woodstock resident Chris Burden, well-known for his work with the Friends of the Opera House, will be missed, friends and community members said Tuesday.

Burden died Sunday. He was 84.

“He was a terrific friend and mentor,” said John Scharres, managing director of the Woodstock Opera House. “He would always be there to help with whatever needed to be done.”

Burden died at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock. His wife, Angela Burden, a former reporter, died in 1997.

Born in England in 1925, Burden served in World War II with the British Army’s Coldstream Guards. He married Angela in 1949 in Upminster.

Burden came to Woodstock shortly after being made vice president of sales and marketing for the Howard Rotavator Co. and transferred to the United States division in 1959.

Burden’s work with the Woodstock Opera House was broad in scope. He helped fundraising efforts for the nonprofit group by building birdhouses replicated after the opera building, which were raffled off.

Burden, a skilled woodworker, also built a playhouse-sized replica of the building for children and a model replica for donations.

“He had a great sense of humor,” friend Bill Elman said. Many others agreed.

“Chris was an all around nice guy,” said Ted Poehlmann, another friend. “We shall miss him.”

Burden leaves behind a daughter, son, brother, sister and six grandchildren, among others.

A memorial has been planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Stage Left Caf, 125 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Memorials can be made to the Friends of the Opera House, 121 Van Buren St.

By BRETT ROWLAND, browland@nwherald.com

Read the original article from the Northwest Herald.

Woodstock Opera House supporter, resident Chris Burden dies | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Produced by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, the program will present 30 performances of The Elixir of Love, Oct. 9 – Nov. 13, at several city and suburban schools.

For the 14th consecutive year, Opera in the Neighborhoods offers an abridged contemporary English adaptation of a famous work. This year’s The Elixir of Love is adapted and directed by Brian Russell. Music director is David Richardson.

These presentations are designed for students in grades 3-8 and are performed in high-school and college auditoriums throughout the Chicago area without charge.

Two performances (starting at 10am and noon) are staged each scheduled day. Each show consists of 50 minutes of the opera (abridged, in English) followed by a short question-and-answer session with the cast.

Specially prepared study guides are provided in advance for each attending student and teacher. Written by Lyric’s Education Department, the study guide explores how an opera is created and how the various musical pieces fit together. The study guide is underwritten by Donna Van Eekeren.

Lyric Opera of Chicago will present Opera in the Neighborhoods’ The Elixir of Love in the following locations with performances at 10am and noon:

“The best introduction to opera is to witness a live performance. That’s exactly what Opera in the Neighborhoods gives young students – a chance to see opera performed by first-rate professional singers,” says Mark Riggleman, Lyric’s director of education.

“It’s a learning experience, but it’s also very entertaining, and it broadens the horizons of students in art, history, and music.”

Opera in the Neighborhoods is made possible by generous and deeply appreciated lead sponsorship from Mrs. Herbert A. Vance and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Vance, with additional support from Kraft Foods, and Donna Van Eekeren.

Biographies of the artists:

Adina – Janai Brugger

Soprano Janai Brugger is a native of Chicago and attended DePaul University and later, the University of Michigan.

She’s been a Young Artist with the Chicago Opera Theater for two years and participated in a master class with Marilyn Horne at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall.

Nemorino – Matthew Giebel

A native of Baraboo, Wisconsin, tenor Matthew Giebel attended the Interlochen Arts Academy, the New England Conservatory of Music, and earned a master’s degree at the University of Southern California.

Later this season he will sing the role of Frederick in Light Opera Works’ production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.

Belcore – Martin Woods

Baritone Martin Woods attended Morehouse College and the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

He has performed studio background vocals for artists such as Beyoncé Knowles and made his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut as the baritone in All Rise! with Wynton Marsalis.

Dulcamara – Bill McMurray

Baritone Bill McMurray returns to Opera in the Neighborhoods for his fifth tour, having previously appeared as Dr. Bartolo in The Barber of Seville, Don Magnifico in Cinderella and Dr. Dulcamara in this production.

He holds his master of music performance degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Pianist and Music Director – David Richardson

David Richardson holds degrees from Boston University and the Manhattan School of Music. He was a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio and has attended summer programs at Aspen, Tanglewood and Salzburg.

He has worked on the music staffs at Boston University and the Hartt School of Music and has worked with Boston Lyric Opera, Granite State Opera, and the Boston University Opera Institute.

Stage Director – Brian Russell

Brian Russell has directed more than a dozen shows for Chicago’s American Theatre Company (where he served as producing artistic director for several years) including Lee Blessing’s Two Rooms, Sam Shepard’s A Life of the Mind, and David Mamet’s American Buffalo (co-directed with Mike Nussbaum).

His opera credits include Carmen at Sarasota Opera; and The Barber of Seville, Amistad, Roméo et Juliette, and La bohème for the Ryan Opera Center.

Over 25,000 Children from Area Schools Introduced to Opera Through Lyric’s “Opera in the Neighborhoods” Program | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“COT’s first opera cruise not only brought together many familiar friends and family but many new faces joined us as well,” said General Director Brian Dickie. “Andriana and Jorge’s performance was a great way to get their feet wet with COT!”

The guests began boarding at 5:30pm and savored hors d’oeuvres as well as wine from Alamos, The Wines of Catena. The night also marked the premiere of COT’s new signature cocktail “Opera-tini,” made with New Amsterdam Straight Gin.

The two hour cruise began at 6pm as COT Board President David O’Connor welcomed the crowd to Chicago Opera Theater’s first annual opera cruise.

General Director Brian Dickie then introduced the evening’s performers — Andriana Chuchman and Jorge Prego. The crowd was enthralled by the two talented young singers as they performed a program of opera and musical theater favorites with piano accompaniment by Scott C. Gilmore, Director of Musical Studies for COT’s Young Artists Program.

The singers will both perform in COT’s 2010 Spring Festival Season at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park: Chuchman will return to sing the role of Alinda in Cavalli’s Giasone (April 24—May 2) and Prego will sing the role of Aronne in Rossini’s Mosè in Egitto (April 17—25).

After the performance, the singers mingled and danced with the guests on the many decks of the Kanan Cruise ship including the open-air top deck, made all the more enjoyable with the magnificent views of the Chicago skyline.

Chicago Opera Theater plans to make the opera cruise an annual event!

For photos from the event please contact Daniel Jackman by email at djackman@chicagooperatheater.org or by phone at 630-294-2699 (mobile).

Chicago Opera Theater’s Opera Cruise was generously sponsored by New Amsterdam Straight Gin and Alamos, The Wines of Catena.

ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.

Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful – an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season opens with Rossini’s Mosè in Egitto (April 17-25), followed by the Chicago Premiere of Cavalli’s Giasone (April 24-May 2), and closes with Heggie’s Three Decembers featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade in her final Chicago opera performances before her retirement (May 8-16).

On May 10th COT will also present An Evening with Frederica von Stade and Jake Heggie. For more information on the 2010 Spring Festival Season, visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org or call 312-704-8414.

Chicago Opera Theater’s “High Cs on the High Seas:” 150 Guests Attended a Party of Operatic Proportions on Lake Michigan and Chicago’s First-Ever Opera Cruise | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“I am very much looking forward to a lovely evening out on the water with our COT friends and family,” said General Director Brian Dickie.  “This is a wonderful opportunity to experience ‘Opera Less Ordinary’ outside of the spring, and we hope this will be the first of many events with our patrons this coming year.”

The boat sets off promptly at 6pm with hors d’oeuvres and an open bar (including wine, beer, and COT’s Signature Cocktail “Opera-tini”) available throughout the evening.  There will also be a “Chicago Less Ordinary” raffle featuring prizes from WXRT, L20, Randolph Wine Cellars and The Tasting Room, and PRP Wine International, Inc.

The evening kicks off with a short concert by Andriana Chuchman and Jorge Prego featuring favorites from opera and musical theater.  Ms. Chuchman received rave reviews as Dorinda in Chicago Opera Theater’s 2008 production of Orlando.  She will return to COT in 2010 singing Alinda in Giasone.  Mr. Prego is a current member of Chicago Opera Theater’s Young Artist Program.  As a Young Artist during the 2009 Season, he performed at COT’s Annual Gala in a tribute to General Director Brian Dickie, as well as in a much-heralded concert at the Chicago Cultural Center.

The Opera Cruise continues with dancing under the stars and over Lake Michigan until the boat docks at 8pm.

What: COT’s First Annual (and Chicago’s first-ever!) Opera Cruise

When: Thursday, September 24th, from 6-8pm (boarding
begins at 5:30pm, the boat leaves promptly at 6pm)

Where: Kanan Cruises on Navy Pier

Cost: $85 per person (Groups of 8 or more $70)
Cocktail Attire Suggested!

Tickets: 12-704-8414 or ChicagoOperaTheater.org

Chicago Opera Theater’s Opera Cruise is generously sponsored by New Amsterdam Straight Gin and Alamos, The Wines of Catena.

About Chicago Opera Theater

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.

Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful – an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season includes Rossini’s Mosè in Egitto, Cavalli’s Giasone, and Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Colleen Flanigan, 312-704-8420 ext. 25
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org

Chicago Opera Theater Presents Chicago’s First Ever Opera Cruise: “High Cs on the High Seas” Sept. 24 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) is proud to announce its continued partnership with the City of Chicago’s After School Matters (ASM). This collaboration between COT and ASM, now in its fourth year, will continue the apprenticeship program Chicago Opera Theater for Teens for the 2009/10 school year.

The program helps Chicago high school students to experience opera in a hands-on matter and gives students the exciting opportunity to perform in two separate public performances. COT is eager to continue this important part of its multi-faceted education outreach program that is crucial to its mission of ensuring opera for the next generation.

“Chicago Opera Theater for Teens offers students the opportunity to take part in an extracurricular opportunity that can trigger what may easily become a life long passion for opera and the arts,” said COT General Director Brian Dickie.

For this year’s program approximately 20-30 students will be chosen to participate in the program. Those selected will meet three times a week to collaborate and rehearse selected scenes for their public performances in the fall of 2009 and the spring of 2010. Drawing from musical theater, opera, and operetta the scenes will be assigned to individuals and groups based on their specific vocal skills.

Working directly with their artistic leaders, the students’ involvement with the piece goes beyond simply singing the selections on stage but they will also research their specific scenes to understand the work’s background and context. This experience allows Chicago students the unique opportunity to take part in a paid opera apprenticeship program.

In addition to this research and development of the scenes, students in Chicago Opera Theater for Teens explore the professional performing arts world here in Chicago.

In previous years students have enjoyed special field trips to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and, of course, Chicago Opera Theater. Students also have the rare opportunity to meet internationally accomplished opera singers. Renowned singers who have presented master classes in past years include: mezzo-soprano Buffy Baggott, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, and bass-baritone, Alan Held.

From last year’s program eight students were accepted into college vocal programs of their choice with six receiving full scholarships. Not only have students from the program gone off to vocal programs but they have been offered excellent performance opportunities right here in Chicago. Chicago’s First Lady Maggie Daley heard Sabrina Walker, one of the performers in COT for Teens’ 2009 production of Into the Woods, and asked her to perform at the dedication of Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie. Among the guests at the dedication event was former President Bill Clinton.

The program is open to high school students who reside in the city of Chicago. Auditions will be held on September 10 from 4 to 8pm, September 19 from 12 to 4pm, September 21 from 4 to 8pm, and September 22 from 4 to 8pm at Gallery 37, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Students can fill out an application at the audition or in advance online at afterschoolmatters.org. Students should prepare to sing one song – classical preferred but not required – and a pianist will be provided.

If students have any questions they may contact COT’s education outreach department at ajwester@chicagooperatheater.org or 312.704.8420 x23. Chicago Opera Theater will announce dates and locations for the fall and spring Chicago Opera Theater for Teens productions closer to their respective performance dates.

If you would like photos from Chicago Opera Theater for Teens please contact Daniel Jackman at djackman@chicagooperatheater.org or 312-704-8420 ext. 13.

ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.

Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful – an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season opens with Rossini’s Mosè in Egitto (April 17-25), followed by the Chicago Premiere of Cavalli’s Giasone (April 24-May 2), and closes with Heggie’s Three Decembers featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade in her final Chicago opera performances before her retirement (May 8-16). On May 10th COT will also present An Evening with Frederica von Stade and Jake Heggie.

For more information on the 2010 Spring Festival Season, visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org or call 312-704-8414.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Daniel Jackman, 312-704-8420 ext. 13
Marketing Associate
djackman@chicagooperatheater.org

Chicago Opera Theater Partners with City of Chicago’s After School Matters to Continue Teen Apprenticeship Program | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“I am thrilled to have The Mellon Foundation recognize that Chicago Opera Theater is an essential part of the international opera world, as well as Chicago’s rich cultural landscape,” said General Director Brian Dickie. “Their support acknowledges the importance of the work we’ve been doing at COT for years – rarely produced masterpieces from the Baroque period and newer works from the 20th century.”

Since Brian Dickie’s first season at Chicago Opera Theater in 2000, he has presented 18 Chicago premieres – a combination of both contemporary works such as John Adams’ Nixon in China (2006) and Britten’s Death in Venice (2004), as well as early works like Monteverdi’s Orfeo (2000) and Handel’s Agrippina (2003).

In the 2010 Spring Festival Season, COT will produce the first opera in the presentation of three Baroque masterpieces through 2012, Francesco Cavalli’s Giasone.  This Baroque “trilogy” will be devoted to the exploration of three operas with Medea as a central character: Giasone, Médée by Marc-Antoine Charpentier presented in 2011, and Teseo by George Frideric Handel presented in 2012.

Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers will close COT’s 2010 Spring Festival Season.  This new work, which premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in March of 2008, will feature Frederica von Stade in her final opera performances in Chicago before retirement.

“In these difficult economic times, this grant is invaluable to Chicago Opera Theater to continue our work that is so well respected in the community,” said General Manager Roger Weitz.   “We are grateful to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for their generous support.”

About Chicago Opera Theater

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.  Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful – an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

The Foundation’s Performing Arts Program currently provides multi-year grants on an invitation-only basis to leading orchestras, theater companies, opera companies, modern dance companies, and dance-specific presenters based in the United States.

Although the Foundation does not confine its support to large organizations with national visibility, it does seek to support institutions that contribute to the preservation and development of their art form, provide creative leadership in solving problems or addressing issues unique to the field, and which present the highest level of institutional performance. Grants are awarded on the basis of artistic merit and leadership in the field, and concentrate on achieving long-term results.

In conjunction with regular program grants, the Foundation also makes a limited number of grants to research and service organizations that are doing work closely related to program goals.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Colleen Flanigan, 312-704-8420 ext. 25
Director of Marketing and PR
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org

Chicago Opera Theater Receives $500,000 Grant From The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Ms. Reinert started her tenure at Chicago Opera Theater on July 7th.Ms. Reinert has a robust background in arts fundraising having previously held positions with Chicago cultural landmarks such as the Goodman Theatre and most recently the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as the Director of Governing Member Gifts. In that position she handled fundraising, recruitment, stewardship, and cultivation efforts of a member volunteer board responsible for raising $2.5 million annually in general operating support.

Ms. Reinert was also a project consultant with KlearSky Solutions and managed development system utilization and implementation projects at several other arts organizations around the Midwest. Ms. Reinert has a Bachelors of Science in Communications from Northwestern University and is currently pursuing her MBA at the Kellogg School of Management.

“After a thorough search for a new Director of Development we are very pleased to have found Elena,” said General Director Brian Dickie. “I believe that the combination of Elena’s experience and enthusiasm are a perfect match for the many challenges of maintaining and garnering additional support for Chicago Opera Theater.”

As Director of Development, Ms. Reinert is responsible for the planning, execution, and evaluation of all fundraising activities: individual, corporate, foundation, and government. She is actively involved in the planning and coordination of patron-centered events including COT’s annual gala. Working with COT’s Board of Directors she acts as a facilitator to their various initiatives in support of the company.

If you would like a headshot of Elena Reinert please contact Daniel Jackman at djackman@chicagooperatheater.org or 312-704-8420, ext. 13.

About Chicago Opera Theater

Founded in 1974 by Alan Stone, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.

Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful – an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.

Chicago Opera Theater’s 2010 Spring Festival Season opens with Rossini’s Mosè in Egitto (April 17-25), followed by the Chicago Premiere of Cavalli’s Giasone (April 24-May 2), and closes with Heggie’s Three Decembers featuring acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade in her final Chicago opera performances before her retirement (May 8-16).

On May 10th COT will also present An Evening with Frederica von Stade and Jake Heggie. For more information on the 2010 Spring Festival Season, visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org or call 312-704-8414.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Daniel Jackman, 312-704-8420, ext. 13
Marketing Associate
djackman@chicagooperatheater.org

Elena Reinert Named as Chicago Opera Theater’s New Director of Development | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.