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Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 9:22 AM
The biggest news around here right now is the construction going on at the David H. Koch Theater (formerly the New York State Theater). It's not every day that a major performing arts venue undergoes such a dramatic makeover, so we'll be updating you throughout the summer and fall on the progress of the construction and giving you a peek into the hard hats-only sections of the theater.
Right now, construction crews are in the process of taking all of the seats out of the theater. Eventually we'll have brand new seats and two aisles in the orchestra section.
A view of the orchestra level without chairs
Seats coming out of the third ring
The orchestra pit
A plastic cover to protect from construction dust makes the promenade look eerie
Our intern Alissa poses with "Keith the construction guy"
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 12:46 PM
Thanks to all of the amazing fans who braved the rain and came out to our River To River performances last weekend! The three concerts were a great success--even the weather participated, adding a sense of foreboding to La Navarraise with storms on Friday night, and clearing up just before our Opera on the Pier concert began on Saturday.
Friday night's La Navarraise was performed in the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center © Abbey Braden
Maestro Steven Osgood leads the orchestra for La Navarraise © Abbey Braden
Theodora Hanslowe sings the title role of La Navarraise, Anita © Abbey Braden
Fans wait out the passing storm before our Opera on the Pier performance Saturday We took the rainbow as a good omen
Marco Nistico sings the famous "Largo al factotum" (of Bugs Bunny fame) from The Barber of Seville © Abbey Braden
Krysty Swann, Andrew Drost, and Lielle Berman sing the "Ice Cream Sextet" from Street Scene © Abbey Braden
Once the rain cleared away, a crowd of all ages gathered to watch (and sometimes even dance along with) Opera on the Pier
For more pictures, visit our Facebook page.
Friday, June 26, 2009 | 4:00 PM
We kicked-off our three River to River performances yesterday with a one-hour version of The Magic Flute. The warm and sunny evening weather couldn't have been better--a rare treat for New Yorkers these days. We could tell by the number of picnics and lawn chairs that lots of people had planned ahead. Others heard the music on their evening walks and decided to stay for the concert. Even the NYCO staff was eager to be out in the fresh air. Staff from every department were passing out flyers and chatting with guests about the concert and our next season.
Hanging out before the show
Michael and Aimee demonstrate how to spot our staff
A view of the audience
A new opera lover in the making
Monastatos and Papageno
Tamino
The whole cast sings in the finale
There are still two more chances to catch a free concert this weekend. Tonight we'll be performing La Navarraise at the Winter Garden in the World Financial Center and tomorrow we'll be giving a concert of popular arias, ensembles, and overtures at Pier 17 on the South Street Seaport. Both concerts start at 7pm.
Friday, June 26, 2009 | 1:36 PM
When the doors opened for the Divas Shop for Opera event on Wednesday night at our Madison Avenue pop-up shop, everything was (miraculously) in place. Even the rain couldn't deter the fashionistas on a mission to have a good time and score some great deals.
Every year we combine most glamorous donations to the City Opera Thrift Shop and special items donated just for the event (this year one anonymous donor gave 11 fur coats). The result is a night where fashionable bargain-hunters descend upon the racks while sipping drinks with names like "Prima Donna" and "Chopin's Encore," rubbing elbows with fashion icons and socialites, and of course, grabbing to find that perfect item before someone else snatches it.
According to Eric Hagmueller, Director of Retail Operations and the man behind the event, the night was "a smashing success. We raised over $50,000 for New York City Opera and had a great time."
Yung Hee Kim browses the fur coats ©Patrick McMullan
©Patrick McMullan
Faith Hope Consolo poses on the red carpet. ©Patrick McMullan
Real Housewife Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen ©Patrick McMullan
Thinking pink ©Patrick McMullan
Miss the event but want to be a shopping diva? There are still two days left to snag Divas deals at the pop-up shop and the City Opera Thrift Shop. Print this blog post and get 10% off your shopping today and tomorrow at either location.
Thursday, June 25, 2009 | 4:19 PM
What do divas, housewives, and hot dogs have in common? An appearance in the Wall Street Journal blog. Read here.
Thursday, June 25, 2009 | 4:02 PM
Last night New York City Opera raised funds with style at the annual Divas Shop for Opera event. In what was probably the fastest turnaround Madison Avenue has ever seen, our volunteers and staff managed to convert two floors of an empty boutique into the Divas pop-up shop in under 10 hours.
One hour before the doors opened. Everyone did their part to have the shop ready to go.
Hanging the banner during the brief break between rain showers
All set up before the shoppers arrive
This stunning fur coat was one of the favorite items of the night.
The Divas Shop for Opera event continues through Saturday at both the pop up shop and our thrift shop location. For more information visit divashopforopera.org.
To hear about the event itself, stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 2:15 PM
Although we miss the excited frenzy of performances here in the Koch Theater, nothing quite compares to the orderly chaos when we have to pack up our singers, instrumentalists, and staff to travel to other venues. As we mentioned earlier, we're performing three free concerts around lower Manhattan this week as part of the River To River Festival. Each night, our staff and volunteers will be on-hand to provide the audience with programs and answer questions. Want to chat with us about our upcoming season? Look for people wearing black t-shirts with a large white dot on the back (you really can't miss them).
Before things get underway with the River to River performances, we'll be spending Wednesday night at our annual Divas Shop for Opera event. Divas is a night that celebrates fashion, thrift shop shopping, and also raises money for the design and creation of new costumes here at NYCO. It's a who's-who of fashion and fun that our staff and supporters look forward to every year.
Want to join us? Click on the links below for more information or you can RSVP on our Facebook page.
Wednesday, 6/24, 6-10pm Divas Shop For Opera
Thursday, 6/25, 7-9pm The Magic Flute
Friday, 6/26, 7-9pm La Navarraise
Saturday, 6/27, 7-9pm Opera on the Pier
Friday, June 19, 2009 | 9:50 AM
The Queen of the Night's aria is in the halls (and our heads) once again, which can only mean that we're in rehearsals for next week's performance of The Magic Flute with the River To River festival. Here are some pictures from yesterday's staging rehearsal.
Jeffrey Halili, Beth Greenberg, and Eric Jordan relax in the breakroom before rehearsal
Susan Caldwell ponders the score, but what IS Eric Jordan doing in the reflection behind her?
Either Eric Jordan is rehearsing Sarastro's lines or he's explaining the construction going on behind him.
Lielle Berman (Pamina) and Eric Jordan (Sarastro) rehearse a scene while Brian Anderson (Tamino) looks on
Beth Greenberg shows Eric Jordan how to walk like a mysterious and mighty leader
Pamina (Lielle Berman) kneels to the great Sarastro (Eric Jordan)
Brian Anderson (Tamino) and Jeffrey Halili (Monastatos)
Monastatos (Jeffrey Halili) is trying to keep Tamino (Brian Anderson) and Pamina (Lielle Berman) apart
Jeffrey Halili, Eric Jordan, and Lielle Berman
For more pictures, check out our Facebook Page
Monday, June 15, 2009 | 2:22 PM
Subscriptions for our 2009-2010 season are on sale to the general public. Now you can purchase a subscription to our season online at www.nycopera.com/subscribe. In addition to purchasing online, you can also ask for the help of the friendly folks who work in our subscription office at 212-496-0600.
If you haven't already heard about our upcoming season, click here.
Monday, June 8, 2009 | 4:14 PM
El Paso Opera recently appointed our own resident director David Grabarkewitz as their Artistic and General Director. His work here at New York City Opera won a 2008 Emmy award for his staging of Madama Butterfly Live from Lincoln Center.
David took a moment to tell us about this exciting new step in his career.
What are some of the highlights from your experience with NYCO?
Directing not one, but THREE productions of La Bohème for NYCO over the years was amazing, as was assisting on the Sweeney Todd revival with Mark Delevan and Elaine Paige, and Charles Wourinen's new opera, Haroun and the Sea of Stories.
Very special to me is the Britten Paul Bunyan that I worked on originally with Mark Lamos, and took in future years to Florida Grand Opera and Opera Omaha. What a very special event that was! I am also looking forward to staging Madama Butterfly again for NYCO this spring, and love that production. It has been very special for me.
How did you get involved with El Paso Opera?
I came to El Paso to direct my new production of The Magic Flute, to which I also supplied new English dialogue. The response to this non-traditional performance was overwhelming. The people of this city are so gracious, and it has not one, but two performance halls (The Chavez and the newly restored Plaza Theatre), in a downtown arts center that also includes two museums on the City Plaza. It's an amazing place, and I'm honored to be a part of it.
How will your experience with NYCO influence your work in El Paso?
Working at NYCO certainly has influenced how I will approach this shift to Artistic Direction. Learning from Paul Kellogg, especially, how to craft director and design teams, and from Robin Thompson and John Beeson how to cast (and NOT to cast!) has been invaluable, as has my work with some of the great directors, singers and designers in the country and around the world.
Do you have any exciting performances planned?
One of the first things I'll be doing in a brief first season is a Gala
Benefit in September at their (our) spectacular Opera House, The Abraham Chavez Theatre, to raise money to eliminate their deficit. Some of my best singer friends from NYCO are joining me for that September 9, and more are encouraged (email me and let me know you're coming!).
After the concert, I am going to work on re-creating El Paso's education program. In November I am doing a guerrilla theatre production of La Bohème -- Done in restaurants and on the streets of El Paso, to further the idea of opera as accessible theatre.
Next season we will be back with a 9/11 tribute, in conjunction with the Ft. Bliss Army base, and a major new production of Madama Butterfly. I am also working on collaborations with the Juarez (Mexico) Symphony Orchestra. Along with Music Director, Maestro Raymond Harvey, we hope to continue to bring the best in opera to this marvelous city.
Click here to learn more about El Paso Opera.
Thursday, June 4, 2009 | 2:41 PM
This Moment in Opera, our podcast series, is back with a new episode where "Cori and the Georges" (Cori Ellison, George Steel and George Manahan) preview the upcoming 2009-2010 season.
Thursday, June 4, 2009 | 12:56 AM
George Steel can be heard this week on WNYC's "Mad About Music" with host Gilbert Kaplan talking about some of his favorite recordings. The interview will be available for streaming on Sunday, June 7 at 9pm .
Click here to hear the interview when it's posted.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | 10:14 AM
Amato Opera Theater (c) Spatch
With our mission of spreading a love of opera to the people of New York City and around the world, it would be impossible for us not to notice the work of our kindred spirits Tony and Sally Amato. Since 1948, the Amatos and their friends at the Amato Opera company have been championing small-scale opera in a big way. The company took its final bows on Sunday following its last performance of The Marriage of Figaro. In this New York Times article, Steve Smith writes about the company's history and final performance.
Bravi to all those at Amato Opera and thank you for all you have done to spread the love of opera.
Thursday, May 14, 2009 | 2:15 PM
The Collegiate Chorale will be presenting Gluck's Alceste in concert with George Manahan, the NYCO Orchestra, and soprano Deborah Voigt on May 26th at the Rose Theater (Jazz at Lincoln Center). The cast is also composed of a number of past and present NYCO artists including tenor Vinson Cole, and baritones Ryan Kinsella and Kyungmook Yum.
To buy tickets click here.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | 11:27 AM
We'll be performing three free concerts around downtown Manhattan this June as part of River To River, New York's largest free summer arts festival.
June 25, 2009 7:00pm
THE MAGIC FLUTE
Rockefeller Park, River Terrace and Warren Street
Come join us in Rockefeller Park for a one-hour concert version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute in English. It's an ideal introduction to opera, offering familiar tunes, colorful characters, rollicking comedy, and an fun time for audiences of all ages.
THE MAGIC FLUTE
Rockefeller Park, River Terrace and Warren Street
Come join us in Rockefeller Park for a one-hour concert version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute in English. It's an ideal introduction to opera, offering familiar tunes, colorful characters, rollicking comedy, and an fun time for audiences of all ages.
June 26, 2009 7:00pm
LA NAVARRAISE
220 Vesey Street – World Financial Center, Winter Garden
LA NAVARRAISE
220 Vesey Street – World Financial Center, Winter Garden
A rarely-performed one act opera by Massenet. This turbulent love story unfolds against the backdrop of civil war in Spain.
June 27, 2009 7:00pm
OPERA ON THE PIER
The Seaport, Pier 17
We'll be waterside at Pier 17 of the South Street Seaport for a concert program of beloved arias, duets and overtures. Highlights will include excerpts from La Bohème and Madama Butterfly.
OPERA ON THE PIER
The Seaport, Pier 17
We'll be waterside at Pier 17 of the South Street Seaport for a concert program of beloved arias, duets and overtures. Highlights will include excerpts from La Bohème and Madama Butterfly.
The River To River Festival embodies the energy and creativity that has carried New York City through both good and challenging times. At a time when audiences need art and inspiration more than ever, we are determined to bring them outstanding, world-class entertainment at a price that can’t be beat."
--Valerie Lewis, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communication for the Downtown Alliance.
For more information, visit www.rivertorivernyc.com.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 | 11:13 AM
George Manahan enjoys his new way to get around Portland
Portland Opera has found a new way for visiting artists to get around town--on bikes. An article by Bike Portland shows George Manahan and the cast of Portland Opera's Rigoletto taking advantage of an arrangement with a local cycling shop that allows free bike and equipment rentals to all company members. An excellent idea!
Monday, May 11, 2009 | 9:49 AM
The Daily News posted this article today with a timeline of Lincoln Center in honor of its 50th Anniversary. See how City Opera fits in with Lincoln Center's history:
1966: New York City Opera presents the premiere of "Julius Caesar," the first Handel opera mounted at Lincoln Center. It's the production that makes soprano Beverly Sills a star.
Sept. 15, 2001: Four days after the attacks of Sept. 11, New York City Opera opens new productions of "The Mikado" and "The Flying Dutchman," at the request of Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The shows were supposed to premiere on that fateful Tuesday. The Saturday event becomes the first show to be held at a major New York arts venue since the tragedy.
2005: New York City Opera battles its elitist image by starting the "Opera for All" festival, with seats for just $25. It also adds free lunchtime concerts in Bryant Park.
Read more at http://www.nydailynews.com
Friday, May 8, 2009 | 12:32 PM
This Monday, May 11, Lincoln Center will begin a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary with a special ceremony in the newly-transformed Alice Tully Hall.
New York Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert, acclaimed violinist Itzhak Perlman, Tony Award-winning opera star and City Opera alum Paulo Szot, jazz icon Wynton Marsalis, and The Juilliard Orchestra are among those scheduled to perform in a program that celebrates the past 50 years and looks to the next generation of Lincoln Center's artists and audiences.
To live stream the festivities and watch videos, click here.
To learn more about Lincoln Center's 50th Anniversary Events, click here.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | 9:06 AM
Last weekend NYCO held its Tenth Annual VOX Showcase, with a wide array of contemporary American works. New York City Opera interns Kristina, Dimitri, and Alex give their take on VOX 2009.
All three of us really liked Ted Hearne’s Katrina Ballads, which expressed the harsh realities surrounding the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. This piece was Kristina’s favorite because of its unique use of lyrics pulled verbatim from the media. The words really speak to the audience because they are from that moment in history and show the political and social tension during the event. One of the highlights of this piece was the vignette entitled “You’re doing a great job Brownie,” in which the vocal styling resembled those of a DJ’s mix.
Kristina and Dimitri pose with the "Voxy-y Mama" poster
Dimitri, who’s a huge opera fan, really enjoyed Gordon Beeferman’s The Rat Land. Mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin stole the show as the isolated daughter of a dysfunctional family. Her acting perfectly portrayed the role of a little girl trapped in the midst of an embarrassing birthday party. Singing the role of her autistic brother, Jonathan Makepeace performed an eccentric duet with a Speak-And-Spell toy. Now we see why the VOX programmers revisited the work, which premiered in 2007, and we are all eagerly awaiting a full-length production somewhere in the near future.
Alex loved Car Crash Opera by Michaela Eremiášová and Jairo Duarte-López. It is an eight-minute piece where the music is set to an animated film by Skip Battaglia depicting a car crash. The film wasn’t shown on Saturday, but we could definitely understand how the music would fit. We could easily identify the different characters--from the truck driver, to the impassioned couple, to the mother and child--just by listening to the piece. The singers’ ability to identify with these characters transported the audience into the passenger’s seat.
Alex, Kristina, and Dimitri
We all thoroughly enjoyed VOX this weekend. The Festival not only gives viewers a sneak-peek view of contemporary works, but also showcases some of NYCO’s young talent. We can only hope that some of the operas we saw become produced in the future (yes, that’s how incredible they were). We can’t wait for next year’s festival to see what new works they come up with, and hope to see you there too!
What did you think?
Friday, April 24, 2009 | 11:34 AM
The weather is getting warmer, the birds and flowers are returning to New York, but to the staff of New York City Opera, nothing harkens spring more than the sound of VOX rehearsals.
Once again our rehearsal rooms are booked solid as singers, composers, coaches, and instrumentalists get ready for our 2009 VOX: Showcasing American Composers on May 1st and 2nd at NYU's Skirball Center. For more information, click here.
Jennifer Zetlan, Ariana Chris, and Lielle Berman rehearse Car Crash Opera
Ryan Kinsella and Theodore Chletsos practice their coughing for Car Crash Opera
The orchestra rehearses A Bird in Your Ear
Stephen Schwartz gives notes after a run-through of Séance on a Wet Afternoon
The trombone section takes a break
David Bruce listens as the orchestra rehearses his opera, A Bird in your Ear
Practice makes perfect