Friday, October 25 – Sunday, November 3

Organizations Nationwide Engage Communities through Fun, Free Events

Thomas Hampson, Honorary Chairman, encourages the public to experience opera

One hundred and twenty nine opera companies, schools and organizations across the nation will celebrate the fifth National Opera Week from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, November 3, 2013, by offering free, accessible events in their communities. National Opera Week is coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

OPERA America and participating organizations are delighted to announce that star baritone and passionate arts advocate Thomas Hampson is serving at the program’s Honorary Chairman. “There is something quite magical about a night at the opera,” stated Hampson. “Those of you who already love the world of opera: bring your friends, bring your family. Those of you who are not quite sure you want to explore the world of opera: I promise you, you do. You will love it,” he continued. A brief welcome video from Hampson is available at operaamerica.org.

National Opera Week celebrates the vibrancy of opera in America today, and brings the inventiveness and excitement of opera to a national audience. The strength and diversity of established opera companies, community opera ensembles and opera training programs across the United States will be on display through free, dynamic activities designed to engage novices, opera lovers and everyone in between. National Opera Week activities include flash opera events, open houses, online activities, lecture/demonstrations and community performances.

“From behind-the-scenes tours to enlightening performance talks to Twitter contests and more, there is something for everyone during National Opera Week,” states Marc A. Scorca, president/CEO of OPERA America. “National Opera Week draws attention to the creativity and dynamism that propels our field today. We are proud to highlight this depth of opera activity across the United States.”

In addition to coordinating the nationwide program, OPERA America is presenting two National Opera Week events at its National Opera Center in New York City:

The Fandom of the Opera
Tuesday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m.
Opera and technology expert Mark Schubin presents a highly entertaining lecture describing how the centuries-old art form of opera has contributed to innovations in modern media and technology. Space is limited; advance registration is requested.

Creators in Concert: OPERA America Songbook Concert
Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m.
To celebrate the opening of the National Opera Center in 2012, OPERA America commissioned new songs from 47 leading composers, creating the OPERA America Songbook. The event features world premiere performances of nine selections from this special work. For more information and to register, visit operaamerica.org/CreatorsInConcert.

For a full listing of National Opera Week activities, visit operaamerica.org/OperaWeek.

On Twitter, join @OPERAAmerica in the National Opera Week conversation with #OperaWeek.

Select Activities

The Atlanta Opera (Atlanta, GA) | 24-Hour Opera Project®
Composers and lyricists selected to participate will be randomly paired together, and will have 12 hours to write an opera scene. At the end of 12 hours, the pieces will be assigned to participating stage directors, who will draft singers from a pool of applicants, and have eight hours to rehearse before presenting the pieces in a showcase-concert 24 hours after the project begins.

Chicago Opera Theater (Chicago, IL) | Orpheus & Euridice
140,000 gallons of water are transformed into the River Styx for this imaginative retelling of this myth about eternal love. Navigate the watery underworld with Orpheus as his clarinet soars, searching for his lost love, his only happiness. This Chicago premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera is a partnership with the Chicago Park District's Classics in the Parks Series.

The Dallas Opera (Dallas, TX) | Klyde Warren Park Simulcast
While enjoying the live simulcast of Carmen, attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics, or take advantage of local dining options, such as the onsite restaurant, nearby eateries and food trucks. The evening's festivities will be hosted by Jagger of 102.9 NOW and will include a Carmen costume contest, a showing of Carmen Get It, the classic children's cartoon, as well as trivia with prizes.

Florentine Opera (Milwaukee, WI) | Camerata Opera Party
This fun event features performances by the Florentine Opera Studio Artists and Bartalk with internationally acclaimed Cuban-American soprano Elizabeth Caballero. Florentine Opera General Director William Florescu will host and emcee this entertaining and exciting party.

Fort Worth Opera (Fort Worth, TX) | Grand Opening of Sundance Square Plaza
Fort Worth Opera is a featured participant in the Grand Opening of the highly anticipated Sundance Square Plaza, which was designed to be the new heart of downtown Fort Worth. The company will have two separate public performances during the celebration: a morning performance by the Fort Worth Opera Studio of the children's opera The Three Little Pigs, and an evening concert featuring Carter Scott, renowned soprano and Fort Worth Opera favorite, with the singers from the Fort Worth Opera Studio.

Madison Opera (Madison, WI) | Open House
Madison Opera’s open house of its new space, the Madison Opera Center, will include tours of the Center, performances and a chance for the public to talk with Madison Opera staff.

Piedmont Opera (Winston Salem, NC) | The Flying Dutchman Scavenger Hunt
Each day, a Flying Dutchman item to search for will be posted on Piedmont Opera’s Twitter feed. Prizes will be awarded to the first person to post a photo of the correct item, tagging @piedmontopera and #OperaWeek, and also to the person who posts the most photos.

Opera on the James (Lynchburg, VA) | Family Day at the Opera
OPERAMANIA! is a fast-paced show for children of all ages, introducing musical concepts and opera selections. Crafted for families, this is a great way to learn about the art form in a casual atmosphere. A cast party with snacks and an art activity complete the day.

San Diego Opera (San Diego, CA) | The Song of the Undead: Horror in Opera!
Elements of classic gothic horror have long imbued opera with a bloody reputation, considering that some of the genre’s greatest composers have been drawn to early examples of spine-tingling literature. Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Verdi’s Il trovatore and Marschner’s Der Vampyr are just a few examples. But ghost stories (Britten’s Turn of the Screw), twisted tales of murder (Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci) and tales of terror (Davies’ The Lighthouse) also dot the operatic landscape. Dr. Nicolas Reveles and guest speakers Miguel Rodriguez and Beth Accomando look at the influence of horror on the opera repertory.

The Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, NM) | Opera Makes Sense
The Santa Fe Opera leads an exploratory introduction to opera through the senses for children ages 3-5. Included in this event are activities in movement, song, instrumental music, costumes and art-making.

The University of Alabama Opera Theatre (Tuscaloosa, AL) | Opera Workshop for Everyone
Opera classes will be offered to the residents of Capstone Village Retirement Community on the campus of the university. Participants who are normally in the audience get a first-hand opportunity to experience the workshop training and skill sets which opera singers study to hone their craft as opera actors. Opera students and faculty lead residents in mini-classes in improvisation, movement, acting, opera history and other topics, and the residents serve as mock audition panelists.

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For more information on OPERA America, visit About Us.

For press inquiries, contact Press@operaamerica.org or 212.796.8628.