Austin Lyric Opera and Butler Opera Center Team for THE PAGLIACCI PROJECT, Beg. 9/29

The Pagliacci Project is an exciting new collaboration between Austin Lyric Opera (ALO) and the Butler Opera Center at the University of Texas (BOC). This partnership will culminate in numerous live performances of Act II from Leoncavallo's renowned opera, Pagliacci, in public venues in and around Austin, reaching audiences and communities new to opera. Performed in English, with updated sets and costumes, The Pagliacci Project will take place in a variety of highly-visible locations, such as outdoor street festivals, shopping malls, and clubs. Performances are free to the general public. For more information, visit www.AustinLyricOpera.org.

"This is a wonderful chance for us to give back to the community and share opera with a broad audience-in places they would least expect-at no cost. For many, it will be their first experience with the art form." says ALO General Director, Joseph Specter. "We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with the Butler Opera Center and its talented young singers in such an innovative way as we build toward opening night of our main stage production of Pagliacci this fall."

The Pagliacci Project will bring traditional opera to non-traditional settings: an East Side bar; a popular shopping district; and a UT football tailgate event for the "Texas Exes." The project's reach will extend beyond Austin with performances in Georgetown, Bee Cave and more. The Pagliacci Project strives to make a lasting connection with the greater Austin community, fostering an appreciation for opera and the arts, and allowing the Butler Opera Center and Austin Lyric Opera to engage new audiences in Central Texas with this vibrant art form. The project will also raise public awareness for ALO's fully-staged production of Pagliacci, taking place at The Long Center for the Performing Arts in November of 2012. Dates for The Pagliacci Project are as follows:

Saturday, September 29 at 12:30 pm
Central Market North
4001 North Lamar Blvd, 78756

Saturday, October 6 (time TBD)
Texas Exes Tailgate
UT College of Fine Arts Patio

Saturday, October 20, 2:00-6:00 pm
Twin Liquors Hancock
1000 East 41st St, 78751

Sunday, October 7 at 2:00 pm
Hill Country Galleria
12912 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave, 78738

Additional performances-and a few surprise appearances-are being added all the time. For the most up-to-date performance schedule or to have The Pagliacci Project come to your location, contact Elizabeth Cooper, Education and Production Coordinator at 512.610.7683 or ecooper@austinlyricopera.org.

The unique combination of forces between a major university music program and an established opera company gives ALO the ability to extend its reach into the community in a way it would be unable to do through its main stage season alone. The Pagliacci Project also provides UT students with expanded performing experience and the opportunity to benefit from additional exposure to professional artists. "Austin Lyric Opera is delighted that this new partnership is underway, and that we are able to help cultivate the next generation of operatic talent," says Richard Buckley, ALO's Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. "It is our hope that this will be the cornerstone to a long lasting relationship with the Butler Opera Center."

Seven UT students will earn college credit for their participation in The Pagliacci Project, led by a stage director who is a UT Master's candidate. Musical leadership will be provided by ALO's artistic staff, and the lead tenor role of Canio will be performed by Jason Baldwin, a gifted professional tenor and established artist who has performed leading roles at top opera houses throughout the United States.

The Pagliacci Project is made possible in part by the generous support of Sandra and Walter Wilkie, and The Arts Education League of Austin Lyric Opera. For more information, visit www.AustinLyricOpera.org.

Photo credit: Jim Scholz