Thursday, November 21, 2019
Chamber Music: 300 Years and Going Strong
...But what IS chamber music?
For those of you (like myself prior to researching for this article), the phrase "chamber music" may evoke images of men and women in powdered wigs and frilly sleeves - basically the entire cast of Amadeus . And while most of us can kinda sorta describe what chamber music might be, we have a hard time putting a strong definition to it. Well, according to this online source , chamber music...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Thursday, November 14, 2019
The First Lady of Grand Opera:
Madame McCleave
"Her voice was pure and high and held appealing expression that was exquisite at times, then full of the sunlight or spring, or again told this gripping tale with pathos and sympathy."
- The Washington Times
Madame Florence Cole Talbert McCleave - a pioneer for singers of color, a world-renowned opera icon, a Memphis music champion, and the inspiration for The McCleave Project at Opera Memphis. Just recently...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Opera Memphis and Iris Orchestra Celebrate Up-And-Coming Musicians
With their upcoming event, WORDS + MUSIC , Opera Memphis and Iris Orchestra celebrate four emerging musicians with an intimate concert featuring chamber music from Haydn to Brahms, vocal performances, and instrumental pieces. The evening will showcase the talents of Opera Memphis Handorf Company Artists Tahanee Aluwihare (mezzo-soprano) and Jake Stamatis (baritone), and Iris Artist Fellows Amaro...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
"I definitely have equally poor restraint with an éclair as I do with a quiche Lorraine..."
Hey everybody! Jillian here! We're gonna deviate from our standard "Welcome to Opera Memphis," introductions, and I'm going to personally introduce you to this awesome woman who will be delighting Memphis with her powerhouse voice this season.
Tahanee Aluwihare (that's pronounced phonetically: Tah-HAH-nee Ah-loo-vee-HAH-ray) is a charismatic,...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Opera Memphis in National Spotlight during this year’s 30 Days of Opera events
Since its inception, #30DaysofOpera has been turning the opera house inside out to bring free professional opera performances to men, women, and children all over Memphis and the Mid-South - people who may otherwise never get to experience a live opera performance because of financial limitations, geographic restrictions, or time constraints. We dedicate the entire month of September to...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Friday, August 16, 2019
"I'm an artist, thinker, goof, Pennsylvania born citizen of the world who loves adventure, coffee, and cats."
Meet the first of Opera Memphis's two Handorf Company Artists for the 2019-20 Season: Jake Stamatis ! Born and raised in the tiny rural town of Tunkhannock in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Jake's love for opera began during his formative years while watching the popular children's cartoon Hey, Arnold! on Nickelodeon.
"There was a full...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Friday, August 16, 2019
Friday, August 2, 2019
PHOTO BY: Ziggy Mack
Opera Memphis Announces Second McCleave Fellowship Recipient
Opera Memphis is proud to announce the second participant in The McCleave Fellowships - Bethania Baray . A first-of-its-kind program launched in 2018, The McCleave Fellowships are designed to identify and nurture emerging artists, directors, and conductors of color in opera and are the second phase of The McCleave Project established by Opera Memphis in 2017.
Bethania Baray, the...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Friday, August 2, 2019
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Opera Memphis produces for Crosstown Arts As One , a new chamber opera following the journey of transgender protagonist Hannah.
This August, Opera Memphis will join Crosstown Arts for their annual Continuum Music Festival to produce As One , a new chamber opera for two voices--Hannah before (baritone) and Hannah after (mezzo-soprano). Performances will take place August 16 & 17 at Crosstown Arts Theater. Information and tickets can be found HERE .
From the...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Opera Memphis Announces 2019-20 Season:
Putting the Memphis in Opera
Opera Memphis is pleased to announce the lineup of events for its 2019-2020 Season , featuring a Puccini Double Bill of Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi and Mozart’s Così fan tutte as the anchoring performance of the Midtown Opera Festival 2020 . The year kicks off with the eighth annual 30 Days of Opera , and continues with The Jessye Norman Concert presented with Memphis...
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at Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Opera Memphis to Receive $25,000 Grant from
the National Endowment for the Arts
Memphis, TN— National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $80 million in grants as part of the Arts Endowment’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2019. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $25,000 to Opera Memphis for their 30 Days of Opera program and The McCleave Project , a multi-pronged effort to...
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at Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Opera Memphis Announces 2019-20 Handorf Company Artists:
tahanee aluwihare & Jake Stamatis
After an amazing 2018-19 Season with Handorf Company Artists Stephanie Doche and Philip Himebook, Opera Memphis welcomes 2019-20 Handorf Company Artists: Mezzo-soprano Tahanee Aluwihare and Baritone Jake Stamatis to Memphis. Learn more about these emerging singers below.
Tahanee Aluwihare
A native of Sri Lanka, Tahanee Aluwihare (mezzo-soprano) made her debut with the Symphony...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
From Michael Sakir | Music Director:
I grew up without any emotional connection to the United States Armed Forces. I was born on the “Left Coast” to two Baby Boomer hippies. I attended a small liberal arts college in the 2000s where we protested the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I lived most of my life detached from and even slightly distrustful of the military. That is, until very recently when this perspective was challenged in a rather unexpected way.
...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Opera Memphis to celebrate our troops with premiere of The Falling and the Rising at Midtown Opera Festival 2019.
This April, Opera Memphis’ seventh annual Midtown Opera Festival will be anchored by premiere performances of The Falling and the Rising , a new American story written by Memphis playwright Jerre Dye and composed by Opera Memphis favorite Zach Redler . The Falling and the Rising takes the stage at Playhouse on the Square April 6, 12, &...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Opera Memphis Announces Full Line-up for Midtown Opera Festival 2019
The seventh annual Midtown Opera Festival is upon us, and this year Opera Memphis is celebrating more than just opera. From the anchoring opera The Falling and the Rising celebrating our nation's troops, to the Festival Fringe Events celebrating everything from aerialists to Bugs Bunny to improv theatre to Broadway showtunes, this year's festival has something for everyone. CLICK...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Opera Memphis Trustee Charlie Schaffler One of Five Recipients of OPERA America 2019 National Trustee Recognition Award.
From Nicholas Wise at OPERA America:
February 6, 2019 (New York) — OPERA America , the national service organization for opera and the nation's leading champion for American opera, is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2019 National Opera Trustee Recognition Awards. Now in their...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
BREAKING NEWS: Dick Deadeye of H.M.S. Pinafore and Gary/Jerry/Larry/Terry Gergich/Gengurch of Parks and Rec actually related!
Local researchers and art enthusiasts find "undeniable proof" that Jerry Gergich is great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Dick Deadeye.
After weeks of late-night Netflix binges and scouring the internet for any scrap of information to support their claims, these researchers say the truth...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Monday, January 28, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
World-renowned baritone Robert Orth returns to Opera Memphis after nearly two decades.
The year was 1980. The hair was big, the shoulder pads bigger, and Opera Memphis was celebrating its 25th anniversary with an exceptional season including performances of Lucia Di Lammermoor , La Périchole , Madame Butterfly , and La Traviata . That November a young man with an indomitable moustache took the stage as Don Pedro in Jacques Offenbach's La Périchole and wowed...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Opera Memphis celebrates the holiday season with a new interactive operatic experience, A Victorian Holiday with Opera Memphis.
This one-of-a-kind experience puts guests in the center of an 1890's holiday party with interactive characters and games, opera singers, caroling, Victorian Conjurer Jeffrey Day performing illusions on stage and amongst party-goers, and festive libations being served. The evening is tied together by an ongoing story of love lost and found that...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
A guide to your perfect Victorian-inspired outfit!
A Victorian Holiday with Opera Memphis is right around the corner! This immersive, interactive theatrical experience will send you back in time to the Victorian Era where you will join socialites, singers, performers, conjurers, and more characters at a festive holiday party! Our Costume Designer, Sona Amroyan-Peric has put together a list of items you probably have in your closet that you can use to dress like our performers to...
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Monday, November 12, 2018
Thanksgiving is almost here!
Which opera matches your family gathering?
It's that time of year again for turkey and mashed potatoes, travel plans and airline tickets. Here at Opera Memphis we've compiled a short list of Thanksgiving gatherings along with the perfect opera for each of these dynamics. Read through and find your opera for Turkey Day!
1. The Friendsgiving
For this reason or that, family just can't/won't be in the picture this year....
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Posted by
Jillian Barron
at
Monday, November 12, 2018