OperaPress
What’s the latest buzz on OperaSouth? Read press releases and articles past and present.
Cultural Arts Alliance to sponsor ‘Opera Road Show’
by Marie NeSmith – The Daily Tribune News – May 9, 2007
From Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” to Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” the “Opera Road Show” will take patrons on a nearly 115-year journey through the art from Friday at 7 p.m. To be held at The Grand Theatre in Cartersville, the OperaSouth production will feature 10 performers, some of whom include the Kazanetti String Quartet, four professional singers and conductor Eric Smithey.
“We are trying to keep it as realistic to a road show as possible. We are even using a road box that we will bring out on stage,” said Smithey, who also serves as OperaSouth’s General Director. The 3.5 foot-by2-foot black rolling box will contain all the props needed for the event, including items like folding fans and musical instruments.
“We are presenting the best of opera, which will be chronological for the most part. We will start with Rossini, a classical composer and also feature Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi. We will cover the big operas that contain music that everyone knows. This gala type of show gives a quick taste of what opera is like without the filler,” he said about the two-hour show that will feature one or two songs from the following eight operas: “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” “Cosi fan tutte,” “Gianni Schicchi,” “La Boheme,” “Rigoletto,” “Carmen,” “Madama Butterfly,” and “La Traviata.”
The “Opera Road Show” will be the second community event sponsored by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Cartersville-Bartow County Inc. In addition to programs like this opera, the non-profit promotes the local arts community by providing information; gallery space to selected artists; access to their facilities for meetings and classes; and grants. The Alliance, comprised of about 25 organizations and individuals, disperses about seven matching grants per year – funded equally between the city of Cartersville and the county – to artists and art-related groups.
“When we found out [the OperaSouth production] was something we could sponsor, we thought it could fill a void left by the disbanding of the Cartersville Opera Company,” saoid Leslie McCrary, Executive Director of the Alliance, which has been at The Arts Center, 101 N. Erwin St. in Cartersville, since July 2005. “The show is done in a way that people can get a taste of several operas.”
“I think it’s going to be something unique, different than we are used to seeing.” she said, adding it is another opportunity to expose the Cartersville community to various types of art forms.
Tickets for the “Opera Road Show” are $12 for general admission and $10 for senior citizens and students. They can be purchased by calling the Alliance at 770-607-2002.
Opera Road Show Coming to the Grand
by Leslie McCary – The Bartow Trader – May 8, 2007
CAA is pleased to present an acclaimed performance of the Opera Road Show at the Grand Theatre Friday, May 11, 200 at 7:00pm. This fast-paced and fun look at opera from OperaSouth will keep the audience wanting more. The Opera Road Show is a gala performance of opera’s greatest hits. The group will present a number of pieces from several different operas that the audience will recognize.
To transport the production items, such as props, lighting equipment, costume pieces, wigs, set pieces and so on from city to city, Road Shows rely heavily on their “Road Boxes.”
The underappreciated road boxes are thrown around, banged up, and scratched as they jolt on long truck rides, yet they keep their contents safe throughout the journey to the next city. The performers will use this often overlooked item as a character in the journey through opera. The cast will heavily rely on the road box as they present the Opera Road Show.
“The performers will pull costume pieces and props from the road box,” said conductor Eric Smithey. “this fast-change approach will delight the audience as the group presents the pieces.”
The show features the Kazanetti String Quartet who has been performing and teaching together as a quartet since 1996, joining decades of musical training from Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory, University of Maryland, and Georgia State University. This award winning group has distinguished itself across the country through its diverse programming and its commitment to excellence. Kazanetti has been honored with a Chamber Music Rural Residency Grant in 2002, invited to study and perform at the annual Kent Music Festival sponsored by the Manhattan String Quartet, and in 2003, Kazanetti was the opening act at the nationally renowned Silverton Folk Festival. More recently, Kazanetti has expanded its classical programs through collaboration with the Celtic band Mickle-a-do, and OperaSouth, making it one of the most highly sought after groups in the Southeast.
Along with the award winning Kazanetti String Quartet, the show features a pianist, conductor, and some of Atlanta’s finest professional singers that create an evening of entertainment that will move you to laugh, sigh, cry, and long for more. Tickets will be available at the door and are $12 general admission, $10 seniors and students. For more information contact the CAA at 770-607-2002
Opera Road Show Coming to the Grand
The Bartow Trader – April 3, 2007
CAA is pleased to present an acclaimed performance of the Opera Road Show at the Grand Theatre Friday, May 11, 2007 at 7:00pm. The Opera Road Show is a gala performance of opera’s greatest hits. Its common sense and frequently funny approach to the often lofty ideals of opera make it accessible and enjoyable to the widest possible audience. All audience members will have heard these tunes before, but not presented in such an ostentatious way.
The show includes the award winning Kazanetti String Quartet, pianist, conductor, and some of Atlanta’s finest professional singers that create an evening of entertainment that will move you to laugh, sigh, cry, and long for more. Tickets will be $12 general admission, $10 seniors and students and will be available from the CAA starting April 23 by calling 770-607-2002 |
