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).

Dynamic Dining Offerings at Central City’s Historic Teller House

Today, I had lunch with an acquaintance.

She didn’t say much, but she sure has a story…

Her name is Madeline…so the story goes. The Face on the Barroom Floor is a regular stop for tourists and opera patrons alike. Though unsigned, the painting is a mysterious treasure within the Teller House that is credited to Denver artist Herndon Davis. Inspired by Hugh Antoine D’Arcy’s poem The Face on the Barroom Floor, the painting remains a central component of Kevin Taylor’s The Face Bar.

Read the poem and more about the history of the famous “Face on the Barroom Floor.”

You too, can dine with the famous face during your time in Central City. Check out the menu for all of the delicious options. While there, be sure to take a good look at The Muses of Central City; eight murals painted on the walls of The Face Bar by Charles St. George Stanley in the late 1800s. Two more have since been added by Paschal Quackenbush, who restored the originals in 1932 when they were discovered under several layers of wallpaper. Even more interestingly, each of the murals was painted with a significant “distortion.” (Hint: The sixth mural from the right has two left feet!) Can you determine what the rest are? Find the answers here.

Also available for dining is the “modern mountain chophouse” Rouge, located upstairs in the Teller House. With lush décor and an outstanding menu, this is sure to please your appetite before the performance. Check out this recent article in The Deal about Kevin Taylor's dining offerings. Rouge is open for dinner and the Face Bar serves lunch and dinner. Call (303) 582-0600 for reservations.

Five GREAT Things to do in Central City

I can attest to the fact that there is much to do in Central City. With Central City Days approaching, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite Central City attractions that highlight the arts, culture, shopping and outdoors:

1. Gilpin Historical Society

228 High Street; Washington Hall on Eureka Street
History buffs, this one is for you. Loaded with information about the “Richest Square Mile on Earth,” stop by to chat with the friendly staff about Central City’s days as a historical mining town. Guided tours of the Central City Opera properties are a must, available Tuesday through Sunday at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm (availability based around opera schedule). The High Street History Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.

2. Central City KOA “Kampground”

605 Lake Gulch Road

Just three minutes from downtown Central City is a KOA campground with a beautiful view. Make your trip to Central City a “staycation” by staying in an unconventional way! The KOA offers free wi-fi, free cable TV, large and level concrete pads, shady tent sites and modern facilities, and much more. Visit their website or call (303) 582-3043 for more information!

3. Mountain Menagerie and Bevie Sue’s Emporium

121 Main Street and 115 Main Street
Situated side-by-side on the historic Main Street, these charming boutiques offer a wide range of consignment and original offerings. Ranging from Central City apparel to antiques to handmade home décor, there is sure to be something here for everyone. Mountain Menagerie can be reached at (303) 582-5365 and Bevie Sue’s can be reached at (303) 582-5524.

4. Victorian Rose Antiques and Hotel

101 Main Street
Filled with treasures from years ago, there’s a ton to see in this antique shop! I spent a recent afternoon getting lost in several rooms of unique vintage items. For more information call Jay at (303) 988-7373. Above the antiques, the hotel is “a quaint historic piece of the ‘ol West’.” With eight historic and unique rooms to choose from, this is certainly a piece of Central City history. Rooms start at $79 plus tax, call Greg at (720) 427-2626.

5. Gilpin County Arts Association

117 Eureka Street

Located in historic Washington Hall, across from the Opera House, the Gallery features two exhibitions this season. A Juried Show runs from June 4th to August 25th, and a Members Show will be held on weekends from August 29th to October 1st. The building includes a jail (museum) and outdoor fountain garden. Five rustic rooms display 3,800 sq. ft. of art from over 100 artists throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Thick stone walls, hardwood floors and unusual sculptures donated to the gallery are of particular interest. Visit their website.

I hope this will encourage you to make the most out of your next trip to Central City. Check our calendar and get your tickets to the opera to maximize your experience. You won’t know until you go!

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.