Happy Birthday, Francis Poulenc!

On this date in 1899, composer Francis Poulenc was born in Paris.

Through the wonders of YouTube, we are able to observe Poulenc himself, accompanying soprano Denise Duval for a 1959 concert version of the soprano aria from Les Mamelles de Tiresias (The Breasts of Tiresias). As a special treat, Poulenc "sings" at 4:45 into the video.

Join us this summer for The Breasts of Tiresias, the knight in shining armor tale that follows Amadigi and Dardano, who are both determined to win the hand of Princess Oriana. Challenged by the potions and power of a sorceress with the help of demonic spirits, true love prevails in the end. This one-act opera will be performed in a rotating double bill with Gianni Schicchi and The Seven Deadly Sins.

Now Playing at a School Near You: The Great Opera Mix-Up

"For drama that can't be beat, surprise them with something sweet."

- Lyrics from The Great Opera Mix-Up

The auditorium at Cory Elementary School in Denver was filled with laughter and familiar opera melodies this morning with two back-to-back student assemblies by Central City Opera's Ensemble Artists.  Singers Leslie Remmert-Soich, Erin Hackel and Aaron Pearson (accompanied by Deborah Schmit-Lobis) sorted out a zany operatic mixup, with help from students

and a few brave teachers.

Ultimately, they discovered that opera is simply storytelling with plot, characters, conflict, resolution – and music. And surprise – opera’s fun!

Photos by Erin Joy Swank

The Great Opera Mix-Up is just one of Central City Opera's many Education & Community programs that enhance existing curriculum for young students and lifelong learning for everyone.  We work directly with educators, community leaders, students and parents to make these offerings relevant, educational and entertaining.  To find out more, visit www.centralcityopera.org/education or contact the Education and Community Programs office at (303) 331-7026.

Puccini's Famous Aria "O mio babbino caro"

Gianni Schicchi, which Central City Opera will present in 2011, contains one of the best-known arias of the opera world -  "O mio babbino caro."  It has been used as the soundtrack for countless films and commercials, and even brought fame to 10-year-old Jackie Evancho on America's Got Talent.


In the film world, you'll find it in a wide variety of movies including G. I. Jane and Mr. Bean's Holiday, but it may be best known as the title track to A Room with a View.


While both of the above videos are beautiful examples of Puccini's aria, would you believe the piece was also used to promote the video game Grand Theft Auto III?

Happy December!

Download your December 2010 desktop wallpaper calendar (available in two sizes). Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

What's that vine in Central City?

Next time you make it to Central City, take another look at the plants growing there. Did you know some of them are hops?  Yes, the same hops that go in those tasty beverages.  Westword's "Beer Man," Jonathan Shikes, just wrote an interesting blog about it: "Wild hops keep Central City's history alive." 

Dostal Alley owner Buddy Schmalz shows off the hops vines around his home.  
Photo from Westword's blog.

Look for those vines as you walk around historic Central City, and maybe sample the results at Dostal Alley!

Calling All Gleeks! High School Summer Performing Arts Intensive Auditions Coming Up in October!

Do you know a talented teenager who's a fan of Glee?  A budding musician/singer/dancer/actor/playwright/composer looking for a great summer camp opportunity?  Have we got the program for you!

The 2010 Performing Arts Intensive scenes program performance.  Photo by Lucy Gram.

For the 8th year, Central City Opera is combining forces with the Colorado Springs Conservatory on our summer high school performing arts intensive, running July 17-30, 2011.  All the great art forms are covered in an INTENSIVE 14 day program.  Students spend the first week and a half in residency in Colorado Springs, learning and working with teaching artists to create a performance steeped in everything from Shakespeare to modern drama, tap dance to musical theatre to opera...and speaking of opera, that's one of the most interesting parts of this adventure.  In less than two weeks, the students research, create and perform an opera that they WRITE themselves! Yes, working with composer-in-residence Roger Ames, these twenty teenagers will see an original performance piece come to fruition.  And let me tell you from past experience, what these "kids" come up with is simply breathtaking.  In past years we've had beautiful duets about the (dysfunctional) relationship between Tony-award namesake Antoinette Perry and her daughter, a sweet number about Winfield Scott Stratton purchasing bicycles for the laundresses of Colorado Springs, a heartbreaking piece for Augusta Tabor (early Colorado senator Horace Tabor's ex-wife) as she looks in the mirror, and a hilarious rocking out number about cannibalism along the pioneer trail.  Many of these songs have also been accompanied by the students themselves on guitar, bass, cello and violin. You never know what you'll hear from year to year!

And to top it all off, the final four days of the intensive are spent in residency in Central City.  The students will see all of the 2011 opera productions (Carmen, Amadigi di Gaula, and our rotating double bill selected from Gianni Schicchi, Les Mamelles di Tiresias, and Seven Deadly Sins).  Students also observe several of the classes taken by members of Central City Opera's Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, which often include Diction or Audition topics.  Many Central City Opera Festival company members teach and work directly with the intensive students; past master classes include performance technique with music director John Baril, stage combat and movement sessions, and one-on-one discussions with principal artists and staff members.  The students also perform their scenes and opera program for the public during this final weekend.  (Those of you who are now dying to WATCH this performance, stay tuned for details and hold open the weekend of July 28-30.)

Students of the 2010 Performing Arts Intensive performing their original opera in Central City Opera's Williams Stables.  Photo by Lucy Gram.

This year for the first time, we're taking an "audition tour" around the state of Colorado during the month of October, with stops in Steamboat Springs, Ft. Collins, Greeley, Montrose, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Denver; open to anyone ages 14-19. I really don't know of a more complete, truly amazing experience and such a complement to any training they may be already receiving in high school.  For audition requirements and dates, visit http://www.centralcityopera.org/highschoolintensive.  We look forward to seeing you!

For more photos and details from the 2010 High School Performing Arts Intensive, visit our blog post.

Education & Community Programs - Something for Everyone

Anyone for a cup of tea?

We caught Central City Opera Ensemble Artists Leslie Remmert-Soich and Erin Hackel this week at a brush-up rehearsal for The Great Opera Mix-Up, one of several programs performed for students throughout the year.

While the summer festival has closed, Central City Opera continues to operate throughout the year.  The Education & Community Programs Department is busy with rehearsals for school shows, preparations for an Ensemble Showcase in October, and coordinating collaborations with other local arts organizations including the Colorado Children's Chorale, the Junior Symphony Guild, and the Colorado Springs Conservatory. We have programs for all ages - shows for elementary, middle and high school, as well as family-friendly concerts, speakers for your group, and singers available for your social gathering.  Choose from one of our programs, or have us tailor song selections to fit your event.  For more information or to schedule a performance by the Central City Opera Ensemble, visit www.centralcityopera.org/education or contact the Education and Community Programs office at (303) 331-7026.

To view all upcoming events, visit the Central City Opera Education Schedule. There's probably something that's just your cup of tea!