November 8, 2010
Daylight savings time is only annoying when you’re not trying to create, produce, and perform a 10 minute opera in 24 hours! That extra hour meant the mayhem and joys of the creative process could last a little longer, and we all could revel in good ole’ fashioned fun — with a hint of drama and a few death scenes… oh, and a rubber chicken. You’ve probably heard by now that The Atlanta Opera embarked on a little experiment called […]
November 23, 2010
In addition to mounting a new experiment with the 24-Hour Opera Project amid the madness of National Opera Week, we in The Atlanta Opera Education Department also had our hands full managing a band of pirates. Add in some young, enthusiastic lads and lassies, and what do you have? A rollicking good time! For National Opera Week, we took our studio touring show, The Pirates of Penzance, into the community and welcomed a new, younger audience to the exciting world […]
June 8, 2011
On Sunday, June 5 at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, graduates from The Atlanta Opera’s High School Opera Institute showcased their work in a performance featuring arias and small ensemble pieces from some of opera’s greatest works. The High School Opera Institute is the only preparatory program of its kind offered by an opera company in the nation. Participants in this eight-month program attend monthly workshops and vocal coachings on topics that include: preparing and auditioning for a role; selecting […]
August 26, 2011
By Lauren Turner For the first time ever, The Atlanta Opera has commissioned a children’s opera for the 2011-2012 Studio Tour! The opera is called Rabbit Tales, and is based on the whimsical Br’er Rabbit stories made famous by Joel Chandler Harris. Many of you have probably heard the news already, but we wanted to share with you a little bit about the process of commissioning, writing, and premiering Rabbit Tales, and how excited we’ve been to see this idea […]
October 12, 2011
By Ellen Sturgill One of the most exciting additions to this season is the children’s opera Rabbit Tales, the Atlanta Opera’s first-ever commissioned opera. Rabbit Tales is based on the stories of Br’er Rabbit and will take children on a fun adventure through the hilarious antics of Br’er Rabbit and his friends, while introducing children to the musical genre of opera. Rabbit Tales is a touring production of The Atlanta Opera Studio and will be traveling to elementary schools throughout […]
October 21, 2011
By Ellen Sturgill Just last week, I was able to watch a dress rehearsal of Rabbit Tales! And let me tell you, it was one of the best I’ve ever seen! I laughed, I enjoyed great music, and I even got to cluck like a chicken! This show is creative, clever, heartfelt, and incredibly funny. After last week’s blog about the show from the point of view of the performers, it was exciting to watch them bring their answers to […]
January 24, 2012
By Ellen Sturgill With teddy bears, bugles, rolling pins, and “Accidental Affairs” setting the scene, the second-annual 24-Hour Opera Project was a success. Contestants from all over the United States came to Atlanta to compete in the whirlwind of operatic chaos, and create what turned out to be five dramatic, hilarious, and innovative opera scenes. It all began with the Kick-Off party on Friday night at 5:00 p.m., where the composers and lyricists selected props from an assortment of bags […]