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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Saturday Morning Cartoon: Franz Schubert and Casper

It's time for a Saturday morning cartoon!

In honor of Franz Schubert's birthday yesterday (born January 31, 1797), here's a cute one where Casper the Friendly Ghost tries to help him complete the "Unfinished Symphony."


"Boo Bop," Casper the Friendly Ghost, from 1957

Thursday, December 5, 2013

24-hour ticket pre-sale starts today (Dec. 5) at 4 pm for Central City Opera's THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Carrie Underwood stars in tonight's broadcast on NBC.
Tune in tonight at 7 pm MST to see Carrie Underwood star in NBC's (Channel 9 in Denver) The Sound of Music Live. Next summer, you'll have the opportunity to see Central City Opera's production of this renowned family classic in person with a live orchestra in Denver at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House August 2 through 10. And starting tonight at 4 pm, you will have 24 hours to purchase tickets to our 2014 production of The Sound of Music during a special pre-sale.

The Sound of Music in Denver
Get the best seats now before tickets officially go on sale on January 2. Tickets range from $30 to $106. Purchase tickets online for 24 hours starting at 4 pm today. From 10 am to 4 pm Friday, you can also purchase by calling CCO’s Box Office at 303-292-6700 or by visiting the Box Office at 400 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 525 in Glendale.

Central City Opera will also be live-Tweeting during tonight's broadcast for the Mountain Time Zone. If you're watching it one-hour delayed from the East Coast version, join us in the discussion @ccityopera!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Welcome November with a Free Desktop Calendar

Happy November!

Every month, we upload a new desktop calendar to our website, which you can download for FREE. This month's photo features one of the lovely houses you can visit during the L'Esprit de Noël Home Tour later this month.


Need help with some holiday gift ideas? L'Esprit also features a FREE boutique filled with all sorts of goodies. Proceeds from the tour and the boutique go towards Central City Opera's programs throughout the year.

Download your calendar today! There are two sizes to choose from, depending on the dimensions of your screen.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

The Sound of Music....Horror Film?

Happy Halloween!

The 1965 Julie Andrews film The Sound of Music has become such an icon of American culture, it can't help but be parodied. Quite often. One popular theme is to reset this sweet movie as a horror film. We've been featuring several of these "trailers" on our Facebook page throughout the week, and here's a culmination of the best ones we've found. Which is your favorite?

"The Sound of Music (Horror Trailer)" by MNMantylaVideo
This trailer is part The Sound of Music, part The Turn of the Screw. "You are the twelfth in a long line of governesses....the last one, she stayed only two hours."


"The Sound of Music Recut Trailer - Horror" by chuck13171
I rather like the pacing of the soundtrack and the editing in this particular trailer. "Mother, would it help if we sang about our favorite things?" "No, darling, this is one time it would NOT help." 

This one focuses on Captain von Trapp. Should it be The Sound of Murder instead?

Just when they thought it was safe...


"Sound Of Music Recut Trailer (HORROR)" by Hannah OneTwoNine
Everyone loves Maria...almost everyone...


"The Sound Of Music RECUT" by BoundlessProductions
And finally, remember how Maria mentions "perhaps I had a wicked childhood"?...


Remember, you can see the not-so-horror-filled stage version of The Sound of Music in August 2014, when Central City Opera performs the show at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Monday Nun Day: Happy Birthday, Mother Teresa!

Looking ahead to next year’s productions of Dead Man Walking and The Sound of Music, we are launching an occasional “Monday Nun Day” series. Today’s date just happens to coincide with the birthday of one of the world’s most famous nuns, Mother Teresa, born August 26, 1910. In 1999, a poll of Americans ranked her first in Gallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Living, Learning, and Loving: How Opera Singers Have it Right

Editor's Note: Today's blog is written by 2013 Festival Office/Music Library Assistant Corbin Rugh.

As a recent graduate in music education, I never imagined that my degree would take me into the world of opera. Though I knew the summer internship would be full of adventure, I did not imagine I would be so deeply moved by my colleagues.
Blog author Corbin Rugh with William Ferguson, David Portillo and Patrick Carfizzi (George in Our Town and Almaviva and Bartolo in The Barber of Seville)
It is no secret that many talented singers bring Central City Opera to life each summer. Beyond the immaculately finessed notes and divine artistry lie some truly amazing people. This particular crowd of opera singers proves that an uncommon career path lends itself to appreciating often overseen dimensions of life. The most profound lessons that I will take with me long after this summer are the following:

Bloom where you're planted.

Opera singers find work in all corners of the world. This means that the conventional concepts of “home” and “work” change as often as the gig. It is up to the individual to establish roots and to blossom in each experience. As a twenty-something getting ready to move overseas, I know I will sport these same tenets as I venture into unfamiliar ground. There is no measure for success but our own accumulation of triumphs.

Be true to yourself.

"Work with what you have" sounds like bad advice from a mother to a temperamental teenage daughter, but it proves true in the most wonderful way in opera. Vertically challenged? Add that to the comedy of your role. Have an amazing high C? Use it to tug at our heartstrings! In Our Town, the Stage Manager says, “Something is eternal in everyone.” We are all one of a kind and that is our contribution to the world. Capitalize on your unique qualities and make the most of everything that is you.
Corbin with one of the 2013 Festival billboards outside the Central City Opera House
We create the culture that in turn creates us.

This is the quintessential phrase of one of my dear professors. My favorite Central City illustration of this was a moment in rehearsal for The Barber of Seville. Early in staging, two principals had the idea of a new move they could do in a scene. It came to fruition because the climate was supportive of creative collaboration and the director’s intentions were clear. This seemingly small exchange gave way to a wonderful moment in the show that leaves the audience in stitches! Once we individually embody aspects of a productive and supportive culture, we become part of something greater than ourselves.

Live in every moment.

On all levels, productions have an amazing power to bring people together for a common goal, but only for a short time. In my student teaching, the high school auditorium seemed to magically transform for the week of the spring musical, just as Central City takes on new life in the summer season. As quickly as it comes together, it ends. Enjoy each moment of the journey with those around you and put energy, intention, and love into every breath.
Corbin "lives in the moment" backstage at The Barber of Seville.
The gifts opera singers give us go beyond the two hours we experience in the theatre. The next time you see an opera in Central City or elsewhere, look beyond the production and consider the people who are bringing the characters to life. If we take even a page from their books, we are sure to live, learn, and love wholeheartedly.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Behind-the-Scenes Photos of SHOW BOAT


Central City Opera Photographer Mark Kiryluk has been back stage at the Buell Theatre capturing the fun and excitement happening with the cast and crew of Show Boat. Enjoy a selection of some of our favorite shots from some memorable behind-the-scenes moments…
Wig/Makeup Designer Dave Bova prepares Julia Burrows (Magnolia) for curtain time. The hair/makeup/costume team has been working overtime hours and even brought in extra help these last few weeks. All hands on deck!
Gene Scheer (Cap'n Andy) looks out at the empty Buell before Opening Night. As a result of the size of the room, artists wear mics on stage for Show Boat.

Stage management team members Dana Stringer and Rachel Ginzberg plan the logistics of the show, along with the help of a CCO stagehand. During live scene changes, the stagehands come out dressed in full Show Boat era attire.

Troy Cook is transformed into Gaylord Ravenel, a riverside gambler on the Mississippi.

Members of the Guest African-American Chorus warm-up backstage.

CCO Director of Production Karen T. Federing oversees it all from the tech table during a dress rehearsal.

Denise Lute and Ellie Kaye pose with Jean Richards, who attends every CCO performance and has for years. She even rides the bus to Denver from Central City with the Young Artists! Assistant Director Kyle Lang looks on in the background.

A close up of the set, designed by James Youmans. The orchestra sits on stage and is a very integral and interactive part of the performance as a result.