Critics, Creative Team of Opera San José to Present Symposia and Sitzprobe on February 1

Opera San José will present rare in-depth looks at how a new opera comes to life, including a discussion of the relevancy of modern opera by major music critics, and an open Sitzprobe (seated music rehearsal with orchestra). The Symposia and Sitzprobe take place on Sunday, February 1, and will give the public insights into the company's bold new opera-in-the-making, Where Angels Fear to Tread, as well as the opportunity to hear from critics including Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Richard Scheinin of the San Jose Mercury News, and Janos Gereben of the San Francisco Examiner, and a peek behind-the-scenes. There will be a question and answer session following each panel. The symposia will be presented from 1:00pm-5:00pm at Le Petit Trianon Theater, 72 North Fifth St, San José, and the Sitzprobe takes place 7:30pm-10:30pm at the California Theatre, 345 South St, San José. Tickets ($25) include admission to both events and are available at the Opera San José Box Office, online at operasj.org or by phone at (408) 437-4450.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Symposia - 1:00pm-5:00pm, Le Petit Trianon Theater, 72 North Fifth St, San José.

PANEL DISCUSSION 1: The dependence of the art form on new work, memorable world premieres of the past, and the state of opera in the US today. Marc Scorca, President and CEO of Opera America will provide opening remarks and Larry Hancock, General Director of Opera San José, will moderate this panel. The participants in this lively forum will discuss the process of creating a world premiere, the state of opera in the United States today, the relevancy and topicality of modern operas and much more.

PANELISTS:
Joshua Kosman, Classical Music Writer, San Francisco Chronicle
Richard Scheinin, Classical Music Writer, San Jose Mercury News
Janos Gereben, Classical Music Writer, San Francisco Examiner

PANEL DISCUSSION 2: The process of how this production of Where Angels Fear to Tread was conceived, insights into the characters, their relationships with one another and their society. Larry Hancock, General Director of Opera San José, will moderate this panel.

PANELISTS:
Lillian Groag, Stage Director: Where Angels Fear to Tread
Michael Ganio, Set Designer: Where Angels Fear to Tread
Elizabeth Poindexter, Costume Designer: Where Angels Fear to Tread
David Lee Cuthbert, Lighting Designer: Where Angels Fear to Tread

PANEL DISCUSSION 3: The creation of a music-drama as well as the discovery of a potential opera in the novella. Who was E.M. Forster? Why is his voice relevant now? Larry Hancock, General Director of Opera San José, will provide moderate this panel.

PANELISTS:
Mark Weiser, Composer: Where Angels Fear to Tread
Roger Brunyate, Librettist: Where Angels Fear to Tread
Joseph Marcheso, Conductor: Where Angels Fear to Tread
Peter Stansky, Historian: Stanford University

Sitzprobe - 7:00pm-10:30pm - California Theatre, 345 South First Street, San Jose, California

The Sitzprobe is a seated rehearsal that serves as the transition from regular rehearsals between the director and singers, and staged run-throughs of the entire performance. This is the singers' first opportunity to hear the orchestra, and the conductor's first opportunity to establish balance between pit and stage. It will provide the attendees with a unique insight into the rehearsal process, as costume, lighting, makeup, and technical directors attend the sitzprobe to review the production, collaborate, discuss, and make revisions that will become part of the final performance.

Where Angels Fear to Tread will receive its World Premiere February 7 through 22, presented by Opera San José at the California Theatre. For more information visit www.operasj.org.

About Opera San José

Opera San José, performing at the beautiful California Theatre in downtown San José, is a professional, regional opera company that is unique in the United States. Maintaining a resident company of principal artists, Opera San José specializes in showcasing the finest young professional singers in the nation. In addition to mainstage performances, Opera San José maintains extensive educational programs in schools and in the community at large, and offers preview lectures and Introduction to Opera talks for all mainstage productions.

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:

WHAT: Opera San José will present rare in-depth looks at how a new opera comes to life, including a discussion of the relevancy of modern opera by major music critics, and an open Sitzprobe (seated music rehearsal with orchestra). The events take place on a single day, Sunday, February 1, and will give the public insights into the company's bold new opera-in-the-making, Where Angels Fear to Tread, the opportunity to hear from critics including Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Richard Scheinin of the San Jose Mercury News, and Janos Gereben of the San Francisco Examiner, and a peek behind-the-scenes.

DATE: February 1, 2015

TIME/ Symposia: 1:00pm-5:30pm

LOCATIONS: Le Petit Trianon Theater, 72 North Fifth St, San José

Sitzprobe: 7:30pm-10:00pm

California Theater, 345 South St, San José

Tickets: $25 - includes both events.

Available at Opera San José Box Office, 2149 Paragon Dr., San José, CA 95131, online at operasj.org, or by phone at 408-437-4450.

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