Opera Theatre of the Rockies Announces 2014 Summer Season

By: Jun. 20, 2014
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Opera Theatre of the Rockies is excited to announce its 2014 Summer Season as it continues its 16th Season - "A Season of Exotic Splendor." Summer events center around the 2014 Vocal Arts Festival and Young Artists Intensive Training Program. Performances include the always popular Let's Make a Scene production onJuly 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the festival's grand finale performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and Ion July 25, 26 & 27. Two events benefiting Opera Theatre of the Rockies - Songs for a Summer Evening and"Opera Goofo - an Evening of Fun and Laughter" - round out the summer's performances.

The season opens with Songs for a Summer Evening - a benefit performance by well-known soprano, Dr. Susan Rae Jensen in support of Opera Theatre of the Rockies' Opera Theatre Goes to School program, now in its 16th year. Ms. Jensen and Friends, Trudy Fennewald and Clair Anderson will perform arias from opera as well as art songs and musical theater excerpts. The concert will be held outdoors on the lawn at Broadmoor Community Church, Wednesday, June 25 at 6 pm. The evening starts with a barbeque provided by the church and the concert begins at 6:45 pm. It is a free event, but donations are appreciated. So bring your chairs and blankets and be prepared for a lovely picnic and music.

Next comes An Evening of Fun and Laughter at Cornerstone Theater, Colorado College on Friday, July 8 at 6 pm. This event is presented by Pikes Peak Opera League and features dinner, wine and a hilarious concert called "Opera Goofo." Vocal Arts Festival singers and guest artists will present opera spoofs that will have you rolling in the aisles. Doors open at 6 pm, with Dinner served at 6:30 pm. The production will be at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $45 for dinner and the show or $25 for the show only. To make your reservation, call 579-0816 or send a check made out to the Pikes Peak Opera League to C. Crater, 470 Wembley Ct, CS 80906 or go online to pikespeakoperaleague.org. This "Grand Opening" will benefit Opera Theatre of the Rockies and the Vocal Arts Festival.

Opera Theatre's 2014 Vocal Arts Festival and Yong Artists Intensive Training Program is set for July 1-27 at Colorado College. During its initial 11 year run, the Vocal Arts program attracted young performers from across the United States and beyond, and Opera Theatre is delighted that after its return last summer, the program continues to grow. Martile Rowland, Opera Theatre of the Rockies Founder and Artistic Director states: "Training is at the very heart of our mission, and it is such a privilege to work with young performers, watching them grow by great strides in just the few weeks they are here. Even better is when they return year after year for the Festival and we see how the instruction and performance experience we have provided has helped them advance toward achieving their dreams. Our young artists are now performing for companies all over the world and they credit their training in this program as a huge part of their success. This is truly where the stars first shine. "

The training program includes young singers in middle and high school, as well as the college-age and young professionals that have been a staple of this Festival. Throughout the Festival our young singers will be coached in many aspects of performance including acting, choreography, body and vocal warm-up & conditioning, and of course, singing. These elements are then connected through incredible performance opportunities. The Festival features a faculty of nationally and internationally recognized instructors including Steven LaCosse, principal stage director, James Allbritten, conductor, voice teacher & stage director, Daniel Brink, Coach/Pianist, and renowned NYC Coach/Pianist, LeAnn Overton.

On Sunday, July 13 at 3 pm at Packard Hall, festival participants, faculty and special guests will present Let's Make A Scene, featuring fully-staged and costumed scenes from opera and musical theater. Last year's performance was sold-out. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students (18 and under). Tickets are available at Meeker Music, Opera Theatre's ticket line at (719) 646-3127, or visit www.operatheatreoftherockies.org.

Opera Theatre of the Rockies is thrilled to announce its full production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's belovedThe King and I to culminate the Vocal Arts Festival. Performances are on Friday, July 25 at 7:00 pm,Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, July 27 at 3:00 pm at Armstrong Hall at Colorado College (NE Corner of Cache la Poudre & Cascade Ave.). Tickets for The King and I and Let's Make a Scene are available at Meeker Music, (624 N. Tejon location only), online at operatheatreoftherockies.org, or by calling the Opera Theatre ticket line at 719-646-3127.

Heading The King and I cast is a Colorado Springs' favorite, Ashraf Sewailam as the King. Internationally-recognized Baritone Sewailam is "happy to be coming back. It feels like home to be singing in Colorado Springs once again." The role of Anna will be sung by soprano Solveig Olsen, an Opera Theatre company singer and known by audiences throughout the region. Also hailed by regional audiences for her role last year as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Mezzo Soprano Valerie Nicolosi will sing the role of Lady Tiang. Amy Maples, an Opera Theatre Company SInger will return to Colorado Springs as Tuptim and with Tenor Senhica Klee joining the cast from Denver to sing the role of Lun Tha.

This production of the King and I will be fully-staged with orchestra, and features sets and costumes from the Broadway/Asia tour.

(Visit www.fclo.classicbroadway.org/rentals/browse_rentals.php?category=4&showid=51 to see additional examples of the sets and costumes).

Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical The King and I is based on a novel written in 1944 by Margaret Landon calledAnna and the King of Siam, which was derived from the experiences of Anna Leonowens, a widow sent to Siam in the early 1860's to be the governess to King Mongkut's children. The musical premiered in 1951at Broadway's St. James Theatre. It ran nearly three years, then the fourth longest-running Broadway musical in history, and has had many tours and revivals.

For more information or to arrange for a group to attend a performance, call Sylvia at 719-232-5833. For more information about all the events visit Opera Theatre of the Rockies' web site at www.operathetreoftherockies.org. We look forward to seeing you at these wonderful performance adventures. It promises to be a glorious summer!


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