Central City Days Offers Historical Fun "On The Hill"

“On May 6, 1859, John H. Gregory located, staked, and pre-empted the first mining claims in what was to become known as the 'Richest Square Mile on Earth.' This spot, marked by the Gregory Monument, is near the city limits of Central City and Black Hawk. The area was originally called Gregory's Diggings, but very soon became known as Mountain City. News of the strike reached Denver by May 17th. First publication of this was in the May 28, 1859 issue of the Rocky Mountain News. As of May 23rd, there were a total of 14 claims in the gulch.” -Gilpin Historical Society

July 30 and 31 "Mountain City" welcomed visitors during the first Central City Days. Great events and opportunities made for two jam-packed days of fun at historic heights! Adventure goers went on bike rides around ghost towns near Nevadaville and tours of historic Black Hawk and Central City. Led by the Gilpin County Historical Society staff, opera-goers and history-buffs alike could see where the beginnings of the Colorado gold rush took place.

 Patrons who purchased the VIP passes for Saturday were treated to a relaxing party at the McFarlane Memorial next to the Cour D'Alene Mine. Guests kicked back with a brew and enjoyed the glorious vista over Central City while listening to the folksy tunes from the incredibly talented group The Mile Markers. Sunday afternoon, the party moved to Central City Opera's historic Johnson House where guests mingled on the front lawn with a glass of Colorado mead. Featured during the VIP events were libations from Oskar Blues Brew & ‘Q as well as Grande River Winery and Infinite Monkey Theorem, plus mead from Redstone Meadery Meads. 

 

All of these events highlighted the 2011 Festival’s “festivalization” process. This milestone year included an expanse in offerings and more opportunities for opera-goers to enjoy the historic city in which Central City Opera was born. Read the press release about this exciting process, which will likely be continued and refined in the years to come.

The 2011 Festival might be over but there is always plenty to check out in Central City. Next time you're there, be sure to stop by the Gilpin Historical Society to get a walking tour of our historical property! I’m willing to bet they would be more than happy to tell you a bit about Mountain City, too!

Amazing Original Work by the Stars of Tomorrow

What happens when you put 17 teenagers together for a week and a half of long hours, intense classes in drama, movement, voice, and then throw in some history and let them be creative? A GREAT scenes program, including an original opera they wrote themselves!

Wednesday evening, patrons in Colorado Springs saw the premiere of Penrose: A Colorado Legacy and Other Tales of Love. This evening of opera, theatre scenes by Sam Shephard and a few musical theatre pieces, is the culmination of 11 days of hard work by the talented teenagers of our Summer Performing Arts Intensive. This is the 9th year that Central City Opera has collaborated with the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and as the Education & Community Programs Department Stage Manager, I've been privileged to be a part of this awesome experience for six of those years.

For the first week and a half, the students live in residence in Colorado Springs with instructors assisting them in all aspects of performance. They also spend time researching a topic; this year focuses on Colorado philanthropists Julie and Spencer Penrose. The students researched the couples' lives, visiting the Pioneer Museum, El Pomar, the Carriage Museum and the Shrine of the Sun, and even met a friend of Julie's for some insider anecdotes. With the help of composer Roger Ames and librettist Jeff Gilden, the teenagers combined all they've learned, took liberties with their own new characters and a bit of the chronology, ultimately creating an opera that we believe Julie and Spencer would agree honors the spirit of their lives and legacies.

Oh, wait! Did I mention they also work on opera and theatre scenes too? Wednesday evening began with a love-themed scenes program including musical theatre (Candide and Wicked), opera (including La Boheme, The Coronation of Poppea, The Merry Widow, The Bartered Bride, Carmen and four of Mozart's operas) and dialogue from Sam Shepard's Savage/Love.

For me, one of the most touching moments was a duet (later turning into an ensemble piece) from Wicked. I know the history of many of these kids and certainly how quickly they become close friends during this short time. You could see the love and joy in all of their eyes as they sang, "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

The world premiere of their brand-new Penrose opera followed. It included fun numbers like a "Boys Being Boys" song about Spencer's bachelor life followed by the girls trying to gain the rich bachelor's attention. There's also a charming "I'm the Greatest" type song sung by Spencer, and the opera ends with a touching piece about the Penrose's true legacy, having touched so many people's lives in Colorado and beyond.

The Intensive continues through this weekend with the students in residence in Central City through Sunday. They will attend all five main stage operas, observe classes of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program and also receive their own master classes in movement, stage combat and vocal work with Festival company members. In the short time in between, they'll finesse their scenes program. There will be two public performances of their work in Williams Stables (across from the Opera House). For just $5 you can enjoy the AMAZING scenes program these students have prepared during this Performing Arts Intensive: on Saturday July 30th at 2:30 PM and Sunday July 31st at 10:00 AM. Please join us! Tickets are available online.

Auditions for the Performing Arts Intensive are generally in the Fall. For more information, visit our Performing Arts Intensive page or contact the Colorado Springs Conservatory at (719) 577-4556.

TOMORROW: The Nina Odescalchi Kelly Family Matinee Performance of Bizet’s CARMEN

For many, opera is an unexplored art form; a virtual unknown which when mentioned might raise imagery of many varied stereotypes. But as we've focused on with our marketing campaign this year, Central City Opera is an experience that's accessible and enjoyable, with offerings for all ages and tastes.

For children, a first opera can be a life-changing experience. In the historic 550-seat opera house in Central City, a child’s proximity to the story can have a powerful impact; moreover, it’s like live-action television where you can’t take your eyes off of it. Central City Opera's upcoming Family Matinee performances feature the talented artists of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program in fully staged productions which include a narrator’s preview before each act and an autograph session with the singers following the performance.

2010 Family Matinee autograph sessions from MADAMA BUTTERFLY (above) and ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD (below). Photos by Mark Kiryluk.

 

What better story than Carmen than to introduce your child to the world of opera? Full of emotion, there is plenty of action mixed with a powerful and memorable musical score. So don’t miss this opportunity to introduce your child, or yourself, to opera at tomorrow’s matinee. Tickets are just $15 for kids 6-18, and $20 for adults.

A second family matinee performance, Amadigi di Gaula, takes place on August 4th. All kids are welcome to dress up in a magical wizard or prince/princess costume to be eligible to win prizes from The Wizard's Chest. Be sure not to miss their wizard and magic show at 2:00 pm in the Opera House Garden before the matinee. Mention Central City Opera and get 25% off of a costume at The Wizard's Chest. For an extra $10, attend Take a Child to the Opera at 1:00 pm, which includes pre-performance family fun activities, theatre games, and a post-opera talkback.

Purchase tickets to either of these events online, by calling (303) 292-6700 or stopping by our Central City Box Office, located in the historic Teller House on the main level (open two hours before each performance only).

Final Three Weeks of 2011 Festival Consistent as a Colorado Rainstorm

I can’t say I wasn’t fairly warned. Before I moved here, one of the attributes of Colorado of which I was made aware was the fact that, starting around July, one can expect a daily rainstorm. Though these cloudbursts don’t last long, they have been consistent now for almost three weeks. Rolling in quickly and at different times of the day, these storms offer a different but consistent daily experience.

When recently caught in a downpour without my umbrella, I couldn’t help but realize the parallel between the Colorado climate and the 2011 Festival at Central City Opera. Over the next three weeks, the opera will present a shower of offerings on a consistent basis, as main stage performances and Fringe Festival events take place six days a week now through August 7th.

Ranging from the Chamber Music Series to the Nina Odescalchi Kelly Family Matinees, the next few weeks at Central City Opera are busier than ever. Check out our calendar for details on all of our offerings.

Before you leave home, you can check the current and predicted weather conditions for Central City in our Visitor Information webpages.

It’s the universal back-to-school essay topic: “What I Did on My Summer Break.”

It’s the universal back-to-school essay topic: “What I Did on My Summer Break.” What did you write about? In 1976 I wrote about America’s birthday and the most exciting 4th of July of my seven years. I remember this because the experience was so real and multi-dimensional (it seemed the entire summer was red, white and blue – every party, every picnic, every place and thing a declaration of independence and bicentennial celebration) that it actually gave me clarity and context for my place in the world – not a small thing for a soon-to-be 1st-grader. Truly. Cracking a history book was never the same after that summer.

Fast-forwarding a few decades, I’m now a 21st-century parent watching my children’s summer fly by. We’re well-meaning, awfully silly creatures, we modern parents. I’ve seen so many friends spend many a sleepless spring thinking up all kinds of ways to keep their school-age kids engaged and challenged and happy all summer. How about Lego Engineering Camp? (“Build an entire city!”) Archaeology Camp? (“Dig up an ancient civilization!”) Mathletes? (“Keep sharp over the summer!”) Ok, I am that parent. (And I’m not knocking engineering camp – it was really fun!) But the question is, what can I give them that’s really meaningful this summer?

Studies show that the average American household enjoys 40 to 60 hours of television a week. There are plenty of kids who can play to level gazillion on any number of video games or re-program a computer. My seven year-old recently showed me how to use CTRL+ALT+DEL to best advantage, but can she tell me how Colorado came to be? Who discovered and mined the gold, entertained the people, designed and built the places that makes ours a great, historic state? What if she could, and what if she learned something about herself in the process?

There’s a gift waiting for us this summer in an enchanting place that’s 45 minutes west of Denver, but a million miles away. A most imaginative, unplugged family experience awaits at Central City Opera’s historic adventure weekend, Central City Days. This is a call-out to the modern-minded parent and those wondering how a family of four can get the most bang for the least bucks. An experience that will make the kind of childhood mark that’s hard to come by these days.

Central City Days will celebrate Colorado Day by unfurling the roots of the place and digging deep into her past. On July 30th and 31st, come for a day or weekend of outdoor adventuring on foot and on bike through 19th-century streets, stables and gold mines, geocaching history hunts, ghost town touring and a little taste of family-friendly opera. Together we’ll unlock the secrets of Colorado’s story – and our own – for a weekend that will beat any virtual thrill your television can deliver.

And we hope to be on the tip of many a No. 2 pencil come September.

A multitude of all-access pass options allow you to custom-craft your adventure:

Two - Day Pass	$25 adults / $15 kids* / $75 family 4-pack**
One - Day Pass	$15 adults / $10 kids* / $45 family 4-pack**
Saturday or Sunday       VIP Pass	$25 per day / includes access to all daily events plus 4 - 6 p.m. beer/wine/mead tasting receptions at historic al fresco venues with live music accompaniment (21 and older)

*Valid for kids ages 4-12; children 3 and under are free.
**Family 4-packs not available online.  Please call the Box Office at 303-292-6700.

View the complete list of events.

Editor's Note: This blog post was written by Heather Lauren Quiroga, Event Planner for Central City Opera's Central City Days.

SinFest: A Devilish-ly Fun Time!

How many Deadly Sins are there?

Festival Staffers Kathryn Gucik (Events) and Jake Sinatra (Public Relations) know the answer - SEVEN!

This year Central City Opera gives you the chance to indulge in all Seven Deadly Sins...and try a new eighth one as well.  Saturday, we had our first SinFest - a progressively sinful experience starting with The Seven Deadly Sins in the Central City Opera House. After enjoying the one-act opera by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, our "sinners" headed across the street to Williams Stables. The upper level of this historic building, rarely seen by the public, had been transformed into a cabaret-style performance space for the evening. An exhibit by MCA co-founder and renowned Colorado photographer Mark Sink and other depictions of the Seven Deadly Sins completed the atmosphere.

We began the post-opera portion of entertainment with fire dancer Melinda Rivers. The rain had forced her act inside, but she was aptly prepared with additional routines using LED lights, hoops and swirling fan scarfs to the delight of the audience.

Next up, Ballet Nouveau Colorado presented their brand spanking new piece DiSINtegration, a world-premiere ballet created by BNC Artistic Director Garrett Ammon for SinFest.

In the continuing idea of bringing something a little "different" to Central City Opera, some of our patrons got their first taste of slam poetry by National Poetry Slam Champion Ken Arkind and Lucifury. As we stated in a previous blog post, "This is not your grandma's opera!" This edgy and evocative imagery is not for the faint of heart...but is incredibly fun!

Lucifury with his devilish grin as he introduces a very steamy poem

We ended our time in Williams Stables with mixing and mingling while viewing Mark Sink's photography exhibit.

The rain cleared as we headed outside where we watched Melinda truly "in her element."

We next headed up the hill to the Lanny and Sharon Martin Foundry Rehearsal Center. If you looked carefully, you could still see spike tape on the floor marking out the placement of walls and platforms for opera rehearsals, but I may have been the only one who noticed. Our partygoers were much more focused on their 7 Deadly Zins wine, Kevin Taylor food and the entertaining music of bassist Mike Fitzmaurice (of the well-known Irish band Colcannon) and his Exuberant Ensemble. Among other tunes, they included "My Ship," a jazz standard written by the evening's composer Kurt Weill.

Around 8:00 pm, with the skies clearing once more just in time for our walk downhill, we made our way to Dostal Alley Brewpub and Casino. As the crowd watched from the back balcony, Melinda performed one more set of fire dancing. With the sun beginning to set, her fire breathing was particularly spectacular.

We rounded out the evening with "The 8th Sin," a brew specially created by Dostal Alley (the only brewery in Gilpin County). I'm not one to immediately order a dark beer, but I have to admit this one is decadently smooth. I plan to enjoy another one next weekend!

"The 8th Sin" is on tap at Dostal Alley.

Won't you join me in raising a glass? Our second and final installment of SinFest occurs this Sunday the 24th. Check in at the Teller House (just downhill from the Opera House) around 3:30 pm for your wristband, where you will also receive location information on the geocaches we've hidden around town. Find them throughout the evening and you can claim one of many prizes. Your indulgences begin at 4:00 pm with The Seven Deadly Sins in the Opera House. Tickets are just $50 to enjoy the opera and all seven...er, EIGHT sins. (If you already have your ticket to the opera, you can add on the SinFest option for just $25; call the Box Office at 303-292-6700.)

For more information on the SinFest performers, check our our previous blogpost.

Fringe Festival’s SIGNOR DELUSO Opens Today!

One of Central City Opera's numerous Fringe Festival events taking place during the 2011 Festival is the 30-minute comic opera Signor Deluso by Thomas Pasatieri. Opening today and being performed in the intimate Williams Stables on Eureka Street on select dates through August 2, this short performance is sure to be a fulfilling addition to any Central City Opera experience.

A view inside Williams Stables

The seasoned eye of stage director John Moriarty, Central City Opera’s Artistic Director Emeritus, adds distinction to this one-act work. Signor Deluso features the talents of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Program.

“Through a structured plot with little exposition, this hilarious tale of two lovers is told effectively through an action-packed, romantic comedy opera,” says Bronwyn Schlaefer, Stage Manager of Signor Deluso. Bronwyn also serves as a 2011 Festival Staffer and as a Stage Management Assistant for Central City Opera’s North American Premiere of Händel’s Amadigi di Gaula this summer. Also assisting in the production of Signor Deluso are Assistant Stage Manager Samantha Apgar, Lighting Designer Nick Davidson, Props Supervisor Jessic Rosenlieb and Costume SupervisorJanetta Turner.

Signor Deluso is performed on July 13, 17, 23, 27, 29 and August 2 at 1:15 pm. Get your tickets online or by calling (303) 292-6700. This is a Fringe Festival event that you certainly won’t want to miss!

Melodious Musings on the Orchestra: AMADIGI DI GAULA and Sundays at St. James

Whenever I get the opportunity to actually sit and watch one of our operas, I love to sit in the balcony.  With only 550 seats in the Opera House, there really isn't a "bad" seat anywhere; however, up in the balcony you get a nice overview angle of the stage, an easy perspective to read the supertitles (English translations above the stage), and a fun view of the Central City Opera Orchestra in the pit below the stage.

A Theorbo
Image from www.theorbo.com

This year's production of Amadigi di Gaula has an instrument (well, two, actually) that can be seen from nearly every seat, whether you're in the balcony or not.  That long-necked stringed instrument you see sticking up at the edge of the stage for this Baroque opera is a theorbo. We actually have two of them in the orchestra for this Händel opera, played brilliantly by guest artists Madeleine Owen and Matthew Wadsworth. According to www.theorbo.com, the theorbo is a type of lute which was developed in Florence during the 1580s, is around two meters in length, and typically has 14 courses of strings.

If you watch the musicians during Amadigi di Gaula (the orchestral music is so beautiful, you can't help but try to see who's producing it, in my opinion), you'll notice several things. First, Matthew can sometimes be seen flipping through a book of what appear to be blank pages. Matthew is blind and has memorized his music (but can review it with his Braille score). There are even a few times where his is the first instrument to play a piece; during these moments, he listens closely for conductor Matthew Halls' breath as the cue to begin. Second, Madeleine can be seen switching occasionally to another Baroque instrument, the Baroque Guitar. In fact, several of the musicians switch instruments during this opera, as two recorders are used in this production. Yes, those fine instruments that play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in elementary music programs are used to wonderful delight in this classical piece. From the balcony, you can see the musicians subtly play their own game of literal "musical chairs" between numbers, as Brian Cook and Sarah Bierhaus sit together when playing the recorder and then return to their original seats in the viola and oboe sections. Jeffrey Stephenson also spends a moment featured at the side of the orchestra for his beautiful oboe solo. Rounding out our guests artists for Amadigi di Gaula are harpsichordist Patrick T. Jones (who also prepared the music for this production) and Baroque cellist Kate Haynes.

St. James Methodist Church,
across the street from the Opera House

All said, the sounds coming from our Central City Opera Orchestra are simply exquisite. This year, we're featuring the instrumentalists in one of our Fringe Festival events, the Sundays at St. James chamber music series. This Sunday, July 17th, the series kicks off with a wonderful evening featuring a Poulenc clarinet sonata, a Dvořák piano quartet and vocal music by main stage artist Robert Gardner (baritone), who is performing in this summer’s productions of The Seven Deadly Sins and The Breasts of Tiresias.

The following Sunday, July 24th, the series continues with world-renowned conductor Matthew Halls, the guest instrumentalists (mentioned above) and principal vocal artists from this summer's Amadigi di Gaula performing the music of Henry Purcell. The final performance on July 31st features the male classical vocal quartet New York Polyphony in concert; two of the members -- baritone Christopher Dylan Herbert and bass Craig Phillips -- were participants in Central City Opera's Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program.

Christopher Dylan Hebert as Papageno in a scene from The Magic Flute
(Central City Opera's Opera A La Carte, 2006)

Christopher was also featured in Martha Stewart Weddings for his recent marriage to partner Timothy Long. In addition to being incredibly photogenic, Christopher also happens to be the nephew of the crafty guru.

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings

All Sundays at St. James performances take place in the historic St. James Methodist Church, possibly the oldest church in Colorado. Tickets are $32 each (available online) or you can enjoy all three evenings of chamber music for just $68 (packages available through the Box Office at 303-292-6700).

Watch (and listen to) video clips of Central City Opera's Amadigi di Gaula 

Sizzle at SinFest: Opera. Cocktails. Sin.

[Editor's Note: This blog post comes from Heather Brecl, Central City Opera's Young Professional Project Manager.]

"Festivalization of the festival" is one of Central City Opera's innovative moves to make your experience in Central something to remember! If you headed to the Triple Bill for Opening Night this past Saturday, you may have peeked out the window of the Face Bar and done a double-take. Was that really a copper cowboy statue strumming his guitar down Eureka Street? Indeed, it's one of the first glimpses of the Fringe Festival, special added surprises to spice up your trip to the Opera. Keep your eyes peeled for what's to come.

This Saturday, July 17, you won't want to miss the hottest and edgiest festival on the hill. Grab your tickets and head to SinFest! Be prepared to push the limits during this progressive experience of the Seven Deadly Sins and all that makes opera what it is. It's opera, cocktails and sin. And it's something you've never seen before.

Expect a one-of-a-kind experience that starts as soon as you arrive in Central. Before the curtain even goes up in the Opera House, the search for the perfect sin kicks off with our very first geocaching hunt. What in the world is "geocaching"??? Grab a GPS or download the GPS app on your phone and go in search of treasure that we have hidden in the vicinity of the Opera House. Arrive early (you’ll need an hour or so) and check in at the Teller House Box Office. You'll get a clue card for our geocaching with GPS coordinates of the sins. Hunt down all four locations, write down the finds and return the card to be eligible for all kinds of awesome prizes from places like the Wizard's Chest, Museo de las Americas the Museum of Contemporary Art and more. It's easy, painless and has great perks.

Then head to the opera.

4:00 pm - Opera House: (Please check in by at least 3:45 at the Teller House Box Office.) The stage is set for the evening by what Pat Pearce, our Artistic/General Director, refers to as "a gritty little piece" - Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins. This opera defies what you might think is typical opera - it's contemporary, SHORT (yes, 37 minutes) and provocative (a morality piece meant to push boundaries). You won't walk away humming any of the tunes, but you will take a second glance at today's moral compass. And you're right, this is not your grandma's opera.

The Seven Deadly Sins, photo by Mark Kiryluk

5:00 pm - Williams Stables: Fire. Dance. Poetry. Art. Ready to light the night on fire? Melinda Rivers is! She's our hot and sexy fire dancer ready to turn up the heat in Central City. You'll see Melinda up and down Eureka Street in her red fire outfit with Isis wings drawing SinFest goers to the next party stop with her fire breathing, fire fans and...Come on, I can't give it all away! Let's just say that Central hasn't been this hot since the Great Fire of 1874 and we've just gotten started. Click here to see how Melinda lights up the night!

Fire dancer Melinda Rivers

Once you've seen the The Seven Deadly Sins, you'll know that Ballet Nouveau Colorado has dancers who can not only wrap their feet up around their ears, but are also alluring and can brilliantly illustrate the drama of the opera through movement. BNC's Sarah Tallman, who dances the part of Anna II, will also head to SinFest to check out her colleagues bringing something unseen and edgy to the second floor of the Williams Stables.

Anna I and Anna II - The Seven Deadly Sins, photo by Mark Kiryluk

The Spoken Truth: Ever spend Sunday night at the Mercury Cafe in downtown Denver? Then you've probably heard National Slam Poetry Champion Ken Arkind and fellow poets tearing up the stage with their raw poetic artistry. Ken and company unabashedly deliver the spoken word with a truth that is gutsy and unapologetic. Following BNC's short dance performance, prepare to be challenged by the slam poets' insight into sin - not the Sunday school version. See Ken Arkind tearing it up on the mic.

Ken Arkind - National Slam Poetry Champion

An Eye on Sin: If you've ever had your eye behind a camera, you'll be blown away by the photography exhibit at SinFest curated by one of Denver's legendary photographers, Mark Sink. Co-founder of the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), Mark has been a photographer of fine art, curator and teacher since 1978, working with and documenting the lives of legends like Andy Warhol. It's unlikely that you've truly seen the soul of a picture until you've looked through Mark's lens. Get your tickets to SinFest and you might be lucky enough to meet the artist himself at our intimate exhibit. You can view some of Mark's work on the Sink Gallery website.

Rachel by Mark Sink

6:30 pm - The Foundry: Everyone's favorite stop - GLUTTONY. The sin we just can't get enough of. An over-indulgence seems to heave us into SLOTH and get in the way of LUST. But SinFest's decadent bites from Kevin Taylor and a glass of the 7 Deadly Zins from the Michael David Winery will cause the ENVY of all. Sip on sin while listening to the tunes of my favorite bass player, Mike Fitzmaurice (of the well-known Irish band Colcannon), and his Exuberant Ensemble.

Mike Fitzmaurice of the Exuberant Ensemble

7:30 pm - Dostal Alley Brewpub and Casino: Yes, you know you want it... GREED. If you have been patiently itching to rob the one-armed-bandit, it's your chance to dance with Lady Luck at the Dostal Alley Brewpub and Casino, down the hill and around the corner from the Opera House. The only brewery in Gilpin County, Dostal Alley is famous for its award winning mountain brews and has created a special one just for SinFest, "The Eighth One". Don't miss the final stop of the night!

And it's all just $50.

Now, buy your tickets. Or you'll wonder why you didn't.

Any other questions? www.centralcityopera.org/sinfest or email hbrecl@centralcityopera.org.

Gilligan's Island meets CARMEN and THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

What does the TV show Gilligan's Island have to do with this season's fare at the Central City Opera 2011 Festival?  More than you'd think!

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

In the 1966 episode "The Producer," our favorite castaways received an unexpected island visit from Harold Hecuba (played by Phil Silvers). Hecuba crash-landed on the island and refused to contact his off-shore boat until he had something to produce on Broadway. Ginger, of course, wanted to audition for him and, long story short, the team put together their own musical using what they could find on the island, including the script to Shakespeare's Hamlet and some of the Howell's opera records. One of these records just happened to be Carmen (instrumental only - how handy).

Unfortunately, due to YouTube controls for these particular videos I can't embed them right here, but you really should follow these links and enjoy:

Hamlet (Gilligan)'s "To Be or Not To Be" to the tune of Carmen's Habanera

I ask to be or not to be
A rogue or peasant slave is what you see
A boy who loved his mother’s knee
And so I ask to be or not to be
So here’s my plea, I beg of you
And say you see a little hope for me
To fight or flee, to fight or flee
I ask myself to be or not to be

There's also Ophelia (Ginger) singing to the tune of The Tales of Hoffman's Barcarolle and then our final Carmen treat: Polonius's advice to Laertes (The Skipper to Mary Ann) to Toreador

Neither a borrower nor a lender be
Do not forget: Stay out of debt
Think twice, and take this good advice from me
Guard that old solvency
There’s just one other thing you ought to do
To thine own self be true

In addition to Carmen, it appears there may be a connection between Gilligan's Island and another one of our operas this summer, The Seven Deadly Sins. There is conflicting evidence on the internet - I know, I wasn't surprised either - as to whether TV writer Sherwood Schwartz has admitted or denied what several fans believe is true: each castaway character represents one of the Biblical Seven Deadly Sins. There are several versions out there explaining which character represents which sin.  Gilligan himself is sometimes given the role of sloth, but sometimes is actually seen as the Devil himself, thwarting everyone's plans to get off the island in their own version of Hell. When you get a chance, watch an episode again and see who you think might represent each sin (sloth, pride, wrath, gluttony, lust, greed or envy).
 
The Seven Deadly Sins just happens to be part of our "Triple Bill "of one-act operas (with Gianni Schicchi and The Breasts of Tiresias) opening next Saturday, July 9. With preliminary timings coming in at under an hour for each of them, you certainly DON'T have to commit to a "three-hour tour" if you just want to see one of them. Of course, we recommend all three! You can also combine The Seven Deadly Sins with our SinFest option, a multiple arts genre event focusing on all of your favorite sins, combining opera with visual arts, dance, food, wine and more.

For more fun uses of opera in pop culture settings, follow our "Where Have I Heard That?" blog series.

OMG! Fringe Festival Kicks Off Today With Lunch & A Song

Did you know that there are over fifty (yes, 50!) performances and events during the Central City Opera Festival that are NOT held in our historic Opera House? This year, there is more than ever going on in Central City that is worth experiencing. Aside from our main stage operatic performances, Central City Opera utilizes the nearby Williams Stables, Teller House, St. James Methodist Church and other locations around Central City for numerous “come-as-you-are” short performances.

Signor Deluso, Photo by Lucy Gram

Together they are called the “Fringe Festival” and the festivities start today with Lunch & A Song—a thirty-minute performance by a Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Studio Artist in the charming Teller House over lunch. Be sure to check the schedule for upcoming performances. Other Fringe Festival events include Signor Deluso, a thirty-minute comic opera directed by Central City Opera Director Emeritus John Moriarty and performed in the Williams Stables across from the Opera House.

Click the links below to find out more information about all of the fascinating Fringe Festival offerings!

-Get in touch with your inner sinner at SinFest, a progressively sinful experience on July 16 & 24 to sweeten your indulgence in the Central City Opera production of Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins.

-Don't miss Central City Days: Taking Modern Fun to Historic Heights, on July 30 and 31. This is a great weekend to discover all of the historical grandeur of Central City along with family-friendly opera performances. All-access passes are available!

-Jazz Brunches feature fine food and hot jazz at the Teller house.

-The Nina Odescalchi Kelly Family Matinees on July 28 and August 4 are a great opportunity for attendees and their children to enjoy an opera with an educational spin.

-Sundays at St. James is a Chamber Music Series, July 17, 24 and 31, held in the beautiful St. James Methodist Church across from the Opera House. Experience exquisite instrumental and vocal works in one of Colorado's oldest churches.

-Aprés Opera offers an opportunity after select shows to enjoy cocktails and impromptu performances by 2011 company performers, pianist Jerry Weiss and solo guitarist Grant Gordy at the Teller House. No cover charge.

Short Works, Photo by Lucy Gram

-Short Works offers a wide array of short opera scenes that are sure to entertain. Held in the Williams Stables for an intimate experience, tickets are only $12, $8 for subscribers.

Don't miss all of the excitement up here in Central City. There is so much to see and do, especially with this year's Fringe Festival. You REALLY won't know until you go!

MUSIC AND MARTINIS Mixes Opera and Opulence

Scintillating décor met delightful dining and musical magnificence at the third-annual Music & Martinis at the Cable Center at the University of Denver last Thursday. The event offered the first glimpse at some of this year’s Apprentice Artists of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, a ten-week intensive program created by Central City Opera’s Artistic Director Emeritus, John Moriarty.

Costume sketches by Sara Jean Tosetti, available for the silent auction

The fundraiser event started with cocktails and a silent auction on the upper level of the Cable Center and then continued with dinner, live entertainment by the Apprentice Artists and a live auction. The evening also offered a special “auctioned” performance by John Moriarty and Central City Opera’s General/Artistic Director, Pat Pearce.

Emcees John Moriarty, Pat Pearce and Matthew Halls

Auctioneer Gary Corbett

Apprentice Artist Andrew Harris

Jonathan Winell and Andrew McLaughlin on and off the video screen.

Apprentice Artist Annie Rosen

Also in attendance were the principal singers from the upcoming performance of Amadigi di Gaula - Katherine Manley, Kathleen Kim, Christopher Ainsle and David Trudgen. The conductor of Amadigi di Gaula (and an emcee for the evening), Matthew Halls also accompanied Christopher Ainsle on piano for one of the final performances of the night. And to top off the evening, the Apprentice Artists joined together for a rousing chorus of Toreador from Carmen.

AMADIGI DI GAULA's Christopher Ainslie, accompanied by Matthew Halls

The Apprentice Artists will be featured in various roles throughout the Central City Opera Festival.  However, be sure to get your tickets to the Nina Odescalchi Kelly Family Matinees of Carmen on July 28th and

Amadigi di Gaula on August 4th, where the young artists will perform the lead roles.

For tickets or more information CLICK HERE or call (303) 292-6700.

Photos by Mark Kiryluk and Jake Sinatra.