Apprentice Artist featured on NPR's All Things Considered

We were rather proud today to recognize a member of our 2011 Bonfils-Stanton Artists Training Program on today's episode of NPR's All Things Considered. Take a listen to this fun operatic twist on the topic of U. S. Home Prices!

Timothy J. McDevitt (pictured left) will be an apprentice artist this summer and is a past studio artist as well.

You Know More Opera Than You Think You Do

In our continuing series of "Where Have I Heard That Before?" I bring you a few more popular uses of the music from this summer's productions.

This week, I found this sweet clip using "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi.  It's from the Peanuts special You're a Good Skate, Charlie Brown. Good ol' Woodstock to the beautiful, poetic rescue! (And how many times do you get to see Peppermint Patty all dressed up?)



I played the clip above for a friend who said "That's from Gianni Schicchi? I know that one!" This same friend went so far as to re-post the clip on her Facebook page with the comment, "You know more opera than you think! Maybe you've even hummed this in the shower!" Yes, this aria is one of the most popular "opera tunes," though I'm not sure it's ever made it into my early-morning routine.

And for another opera clip, how many of you recognized Carmen's "Habanera" in an early scene of the Disney/Pixar film Up?



I guess opera is a part of Carl's early-morning routine. The scene just wouldn't be the same without the Carmen underscoring!

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!