El Paso Opera names David Grabarkewitz as Artistic and General Director
June 8, 2009, 4:14 PM
By New York City Opera
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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.
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Bettina Bierly said: