The Atlanta Opera Blog

March 15, 2018

Out of one horror, many stories

Depicting the Holocaust in the theater presents special challenges to audience members. Some may expect feelings of hopelessness, inevitability, and emotional exhaustion. American composer Jake Heggie’s Out of Darkness: Two Remain crafts a different experience. It reminds us that although countless stories emerged from that dark, dark chapter in world history, they often bring something richer, more nuanced, and more complicated. Out of Darkness grew like a vine from a collaboration between the composer and the Seattle presenter Music of […]
February 16, 2018

Santiago Ballerini Interview

Argentinian tenor Santiago Ballerini makes his role debut as Tonio in our production of The Daughter of the Regiment. We chatted with him about his thoughts on this role, his experience in the Atlanta Opera’s Studio, and what he listens to while on the road (Freddie Mercury, anyone?).
February 12, 2018

Welcome to the 2018-19 season!

Our most popular season to date is bookended by two of the greatest blockbusters that exist. We celebrate Bernstein’s centennial year with West Side Story, and close with a triumphant production of Verdi’s La Traviata. We will present the most frequently performed new American opera in the world, Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, as well as a grand, romantic interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, Eugene Onegin. Read more from ArtsATL on The Opera’s new season, and “bold new direction” >> The […]
January 3, 2018

Chorus Spotlight: Mitch Gindlesperger

For the next installment of our Spotlight series, we chatted with Georgia native Mitch Gindlesperger, who has sung with The Atlanta Opera Chorus for 19 years (with an 11 year hiatus) as a bass. He was last seen on the mainstage as a German soldier in Silent Night (2016). Roles: Antonio, Le Nozze di Figaro Wolf/Woodsman, Little Red Riding Hood Second Solider, Salome Majordomo, La Rondine Armed Man, Magic Flute Old Gypsy, Il Trovotore Herald, Otello Herald, Rigoletto (twice) Second […]
November 3, 2017

Pick Up Your Q: Olivia Vote

Mezzo-soprano Olivia Vote makes her Atlanta Opera debut as Mary in a new production of The Flying Dutchman. We chatted with her about Mary’s thoughts on Senta’s love interest, her process for each role, and what she watches during her down time.    Where did you grow up and when did you start singing? I grew up in St. Mary’s, MD where both of my parents worked at St. Mary’s College. My dad is a professor of voice and a […]
October 5, 2017

Orchestra Spotlight: Richard Brady

Richard Brady Bass Trombone Richard Brady has played bass trombone in The Atlanta Opera Orchestra for 32 years, and principal trombone for two seasons. He answered a few quickfire questions in our new Spotlight series for orchestra and chorus. The Atlanta Opera: What is your favorite Atlanta Opera production you’ve played? Richard Brady: Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss AO: What do you do when you’re not playing or practicing the trombone? RB: This has changed as I have gotten older. Before: […]
September 6, 2017

Pick Up Your Q: Jennifer Larmore

Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore will join us in September to sing one of her “bucket list” roles, Anna, in Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins. We chatted with her about growing up in Atlanta, women and the opera industry, and her recent book, Una Voce.    You’re an Atlanta native! Where did you go to school and when did you start singing? I grew up in Southeast Atlanta where I attended H.O. Burgess Elementary school, then we moved to Marietta when I […]
August 31, 2017

Watch: The Atlanta Opera Opera Chorus Sings the National Anthem at the Braves Game

The Atlanta Opera Chorus had the honor of singing our national anthem at the Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds game on August 19th. It was a beautiful day at the ballpark made even better by our amazing chorus. Bravissimo!
August 1, 2017

Envy. Gluttony. Greed. Lust. Pride. Sloth. Wrath.

Atlanta classical radio producer and writer Noel Morris explains the history and context of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s The Seven Deadly Sins, which opens Sept 28 at Le Maison Rouge at Paris on Ponce.    By Noel Morris Kurt Weill was a refugee when he wrote the score to The Seven Deadly Sins. On March 22, 1933, he had dropped everything and crossed into France with his mistress and a small suitcase. A month earlier, on Feb. 18, crowds […]
July 6, 2017

Pick Up Your Q: Rolando Salazar

Music Administrator Rolando Salazar began working at The Atlanta Opera in 2015, and since then, he has worn many hats. Since the departure of longtime Chorus Master Walter Huff, Salazar has stepped in to lead The Atlanta Opera Chorus in the meantime, and recently facilitated the general auditions in June. We chatted with him about the huge task of casting chorus members, audition prep, and what makes a cohesive opera chorus.   Tell us a little about yourself: where did […]