Scott Frost - Page 2

Seattle Opera has been one of the leading American opera companies since being founded in 1963. Presenting a mixture of European classics as well as new works of American opera, the company's five opera seasons continually advance the cultural life of the Pacific Northwest through education and performance. Seattle Opera strives to produce musically extraordinary, theatrically compelling operas by employing the highest quality casts, conductors, directors and designers. They have been so successful in this that they actually have the highest per capita attendance of any major opera company in the U.S. In addition to their mainstage productions however, the Company serves thousands more through its groundbreaking education programs, scenic rental program and other special projects.

The Atlanta Opera has continued to be a leading regional opera company since it was founded in 1979. The company produces mainstage opera productions as well as several arts education programs for all ages. Each season the Atlanta Opera strives to expand the experience of its patrons with memorable and exciting performances while providing the best musical and theatrical quality while also supporting the community and educational programs. Thusly, the Opera annually employs the finest in international, national and regional singers, conductors, stage directors and designers.

We all sat waiting anxiously for the curtain to rise on Riccardo Zandonai's 'Francesca da Rimini' after almost a 27 year hiatus on the Met stage; but with each passing act, one could sense the audience waiting for the closing curtain just as intently. Not to say that the performances or design weren't a wonder to behold. The opera and production as a whole just seemed a bit trivial in comparison. Despite the story however, the musical prowess of Zandonai's score, the meticulously detailed sets, and exquisite costuming gave Monday nights opening of 'Francesca da Rimini' redeeming beauty amid a insipid story.

Arizona Opera was originally known as Tucson Opera Company and founded in 1971 by a group of opera enthusiasts. The inaugural season was two performances of The Barber of Seville by Rossini in Tucson but by the 1976-77 season the company was performing their complete seasons in both Tucson and Phoenix. Now in the 42nd season, the company produces five grand operas throughout the state each season and is one of the only companies in the US that performs in two cities.

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) was founded in 1976 and has risen to be New England's largest opera company. Each season the company produces three mainstage productions at the companies home, the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, in Boston and a the annual Opera Annex production in a found space. throughout New England. This season fulfills he mission of BLO which is to produce artistically excellent productions of a diverse repertoire that entertain and inspire audiences while featuring emerging operatic talent in order to engage and educate the community of all ages.

New York City Opera's production of Britten's chamber opera 'The Turn of the Screw' opened Sunday afternoon to a full house at Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House as the Prologue, played by Dominic Armstrong, fills us in on the back story as it is played out onstage. The stark setting with desk and chair and overhead fluorescent lighting sets the mood to which the score builds upon throughout the prologue. We watch the Governess in an interview with a man to care for two orphaned children who we find out to be his niece and nephew. After accepting the position to help 'such a busy man', we eerily follow the Governess, played by Sara Jakubiak, down the country road to her new life. The scene is now set for Act I of this production which director, Sam Buntrock, describes as having been drawn 'from iconic films such as The Shining, The Exorcist and Poltergeist.

The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) has a rich history dating back to 1960 when it opened with Madama Butterfly with performances in McKinley High School Auditorium. The company has continued to evolve into what it is today- with international artists who have graced the most renowned stages as the New York Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Royal Opera house and many others through Europe, Asia and North America.

The San Francisco Opera celebrates its 90th year since it was founded by Gaetano Merola in 1923. Currently the second largest opera company in North America, the San Francisco Opera has grown from one production presented for two weeks to 75 performances of ten different operas running from September to July.

Minnesota Opera stems all the way back to 1963 when The Masque of Angelsby Dominick Argento was commissioned by the Walker Art Center for its performing arts program, Center Opera. The group continued to grow until it became its own entity in 1969 and changed the name in 1971 to the Minnesota Opera. The company quickly became known as an 'alternative opera company' to complement the traditional Metropolitan Opera tour that came through each year and the St. Paul Opera Company but in 1975 Minnesota Opera and St. Paul Opera merged and set their focus on both traditional repertory and contemporary opera.

Sarasota Opera has a long history of bringing opera to the people along the Gulf Coast. Starting in 1960 when the group was called Asolo Opera Guild the company presented a touring chamber-sized company, Turnau Opera's productions in the 320 seat Asolo Theater at the Sarasota Ringling Museum of Art. Starting in 1973 the company began producing their own productions when they recognized the need for a theater more conducive to opera. The company bought the former A.B. Edwards Theater and began renovations in 1982. In 1984 the company, now being called Sarasota Opera, opened the Sarasota Opera House which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Opera Company of Philadelphia (OCP) has been opening its doors since 1975 when it committed itself to delivering outstanding productions of both traditional repertoire and new operatic works. The company assembles the finest international artists to educate, deepen and diversify the opera audience in the greater Philadelphia area. The company produces both large scale and more intimate chamber performances at the Academy of Music and in the Perelman Theater respectively. In addition to these two spaces the company frequently performs throughout the community. The OCP is so committed to new works that the General Directors David B Devan, OCP launched in 2011 the American Repertoire Program to produce a new American work in each of the next ten seasons as well as the nation's first collaborative Composer In Residence Program with New York's Gotham Chamber Opera and Music-Theatre Group.

Austin Lyric Opera became the first professional opera company in Austin when it was founded in May of 1986. It quickly became a cultural touchstone for the fine arts community in the Central Texas Region. Co-founders Joseph McClain and the late Dr. Walkter Ducloux quickly developed a company focused on 3 essential E's- Enrich, entertain and educate. This has only continued since its debut production of Mozart's The Magic Flute in January 1987 until now 26 years later.

The vocal prowess of the Amore Opera singers is superb with rich nuance and controlled power behind the voices. Jonathan Winell plays the commanding role of Rodolfo with a generously sized voice to produce clarion top notes. Na Li Youm also performs with great range as Mimi. Showing dexterity in the role, she sings with ease and beauty. Julia Lima, Musetta, played the impassioned, volatile role with astonishing power and great musical expertise. The chorus produced a great bustling Café Momus scene of Act 2. Even the box office manager that had helped me an hour earlier made an appearance onstage.

What a delight to go to the opera house among so many children, each bustling with excitement for what I can only imagine was the first time for many. The Metropolitan Opera's new and abridged version of Rossini's comic opera The Barber of Seville - sung in the English-language is guaranteed fun for the whole family. Not only is the opera comic and sung in English, it is also cut down to only two hours, including the intermission. All of this combined makes for great holiday entertainment for anyone on your list.

Portland Opera is a vibrant and vital part of the cultural activity and identity in Oregon. With 48 years in the business, the company has earned a devoted public following throughout the state of Oregon and southwestern Washington. Read more about Portland Opera in this week's Regional Opera Company of the Week feature!

Aida has been among the most popular operas in the Met's repertory since the "German Seasons" in the 1880s and this season's production follows suit. This Sonja Frisell 1988 production of a classic Verdi opera left the audience feeling a wide range of emotions from beginning to end. From the vast Egyptian landscapes to the extraordinary musical talents, Aida at the Met this season is a production to remember.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature -The Regional Opera Company of the Week! This week, we're thrilled to present you to Winter Opera St. Louis!

Opera Lafayette is an opera company based in Washington, DC that produces French operas from the 17th and 18th Centuries. It was founded in 1995 by Ryan Brown and performs at the Kennedy Center, The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln's Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall. In February, the company made its international debut at the Opéra Royal de Versailles.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the net, continues its expansion into other areas of entertainment with our latest feature - 'The Regional Opera Company of the Week'. This week's featured Opera Company is Florentine Opera Company in Wisconsin!