Blog

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Health Tips: Best Practices for Audiences, Artists, and Companies

Health Tips: Best Practices for Audiences, Artists, and Companies Whether it's the flu, coronavirus, or the common cold, it's always a good idea to implement these best practices for the health of you and those around you. Click below for your customized tips. I am a(n): AUdience member | Artist | Performing Arts Company Top audience member You love going to live performances, but also want to stay healthy. Practice... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Monday, March 2, 2020

Mozart: Fact or Fiction

Mozart: Fact or Fiction Test your knowledge and find out how well you know w.a. mozart! Loading... Can't get enough of Mozart? Check out Midtown Opera Festival 2020 for events that are all about W.A. Mozart! References: https://factspedia.org/fun-interesting-facts-about-mozart/ https://whatthafact.com/interesting-facts-about-mozart/ https://www.factretriever.com/mozart-facts Connolly, Kate. “ Sewage Plant Plays Mozart to Stimulate... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Monday, March 2, 2020

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Midtown Opera Festival 2020 Lineup

Midtown Opera Festival 2020 Lineup It's the eighth annual Midtown Opera Festival, and we're serving up opera unlike any festival before! This year MOZART is taking over Midtown, and whether you're a super fan or a Mozart newbie, we've got events for everyone! Così Fan Tutte | Fringe Events | Full Schedule | More Details | Tickets Così fan tutte March 28 & April 4 | 7:30PM... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Friday, February 7, 2020

Going to Opera Increases Chance of Meeting True Love

Going to the Opera Increases Chance of Meeting True Love Since the beginning of time humans have been searching for companionship, someone to share their life with, "the one" they were destined to love. New research suggests that your chance of meeting your true love substantially increases at the most unlikely of places: the opera! Think it's a bunch of bologna? Check out these four films where sparks flew at the opera and main characters fell in love. But if fictional... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Friday, February 7, 2020

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Opera Performances: Expectations vs. Reality

Opera Performances: Expectations vs. Reality There are some pretty unflattering stereotypes associated with opera. And while some of them have valid origins, opera companies across the country are breaking down these preconceived notions and changing the face of opera. Expectation: Opera is expensive. Reality: Opera can be free or cheaper than a movie. Opera companies are often sneered at for having ridiculously over-priced tickets to their performances. And while... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Friday, January 17, 2020

Buoso Donati and 9 Other Dead Guys You Need to Know

Buoso Donati and 9 Other Dead Guys You Need to Know Sometimes the most important character in a story is also the...deadest? It's true! Read all about these famous corpses below. 1. Buoso Donati - Gianni Schicchi At number one on our list of dead guys is the infamous Buoso Donati! This guy is dead. Really dead. Like, dies almost as soon as the curtain opens and stays dead for the rest of the show. So why is he so important to ... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Friday, January 17, 2020

movies opera Puccini Double Bill Giacomo Puccini buoso donati Puccini

Friday, January 17, 2020

12 Questions to Ask Before Going to an Opera

12 Questions to Ask Before Going to an Opera The dates are picked out, the tickets are bought, and you're off to the opera! BUT WAIT! Did you forget anything? Take a quick look at these 12 frequently asked questions to ensure your best experience with the opera! 1. Where is the show? Some opera companies have their own opera houses where all of their performances are located. However, many companies, like Opera Memphis, change venues for their shows. Sometimes... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Friday, January 17, 2020

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

8 Things About Puccini You May Not Have Known

8 Things About Puccini You May Not Have Known You think you know Giacomo puccini? go through our list and see how many of these facts you already know! 1. Puccini's full name was Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini. He was named after four recent ancestors. 2. Puccini struggled in school at Seminario di San Michele and Seminario di San Martino. He was expelled several times and only re-admitted with his mother's... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Tuesday, January 14, 2020

composers Puccini Puccini Double Bill opera composers Giacomo Puccini

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Double the Puccini, Double the Star Power

Opera Memphis Brings Masterpieces and International Opera Stars to the MidSouth Opera Memphis presents a Puccini Double Bill: Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi bringing two Giacomo Puccini masterpieces and international opera stars Kelly Kaduce and Todd Thomas to GPAC. For this Valentine’s Day weekend, both pieces - whether tales of spiritual redemption or of farcical greed and conniving - explore themes of family and what it compels us to do. Performances... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Thursday, January 2, 2020

10 Ways to Have Opera in Your 2020

10 Ways to Have Opera in Your 2020 It's a new year and a chance to incorporate some new music (or more of your favorites) into your life! Here are 10 easy ways to bring a little opera into your 2020 without breaking the bank. 1. Add the Opera Classics playlist to your Spotify . Easy. Instant. And best of all, FREE. Listen to over 5 hours of the best of opera music anytime, anywhere. 2. Pick up some vinyl recordings of famous operas. ... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Thursday, January 2, 2020

Free 2020 opera subscriptions online met hd

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

A Time Traveling Tradition

Opera Memphis travels back in time this holiday season with A Victorian Holiday ! It’s that most wonderful time of the year, and Opera Memphis teams up with Dixon Gallery & Gardens to bring back A Victorian Holiday for Memphis families and friends. This unique theatrical experience transports party-goers back to 19th-Century Memphis where they are invited to immerse themselves in Victorian-era music, costumes, characters, and more! The full-evening event will include... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Victorian 2019-20 Season A Victorian Holiday Holiday Family friendly!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Chamber Music: 300 Years and Going Strong

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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Thursday, November 21, 2019

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The First Lady of Grand Opera

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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Thursday, November 14, 2019

McCleave Project Madame McCleave McCleave Fellowships

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Opera Memphis and Iris Orchestra Celebrate Up-And-Coming Musicians

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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

2019 Handorf Company Artist: Tahanee Aluwihare

"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,... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Wednesday, September 11, 2019

2019-20 Season Handorf Company Artists Tahanee Aluwihare

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

30 Days of Opera: New and National

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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Wednesday, August 28, 2019

30 Days of Opera Free Event 2019-20 Season

Friday, August 16, 2019

2019 Handorf Company Artist: Jake Stamatis

"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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Friday, August 16, 2019

Baritone 2019-20 Season Handorf Company Artists Jake Stamatis

Friday, August 2, 2019

Bethania Baray Next McCleave Fellow in Directing

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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Friday, August 2, 2019

McCleave Project 2019-20 Season Bethania Baray

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

As One Brings Opera to Continuum Music Festival

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... Read More

Posted by Jillian Barron at Wednesday, July 24, 2019

New American Opera Continuum Music Festival

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Opera Memphis Announces 2019-20 Season

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... Read More

at Tuesday, June 4, 2019