CARMEN and DIALOGUES DES CARMÉLITES Set for dell'Arte Opera Ensemble, Aug 2012

dell'Arte Opera Ensemble of New York City announces its 2012 season, featuring two masterworks from the French operatic repertoire: George Bizet's Carmen (1875) and Francis Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites (1957), with stage direction by Knud Adams and Victoria Crutchfield and musical direction by dell'Arte's Artistic Director, Christopher Fecteau.

More than 60 emerging opera singers will perform in debut roles at the East 13th Street Theater, 136 East 18th Street, Manhattan, with performances of Carmen tonight, August 17, 19, 23, and 25 and performances of Dialogues on August 18, 24, and 26.

Tickets are $30, available now at www.brownpapertickets.com, and at the door before each performance; seating is general admission.

For more than 10 years, dell'arte Opera Ensemble has provided emerging singers with the necessary training and opportunities to bridge the substantial gap between school and a professional career at absolutely no cost to participants. The company's dual mission is to nurture emerging opera artists through rehearsal and performance opportunities, seminars, and master classes and to attract new audiences by offering high-quality opera presentations featuring exciting young singers at little or no cost. Its emphasis is on 'learning by doing,' backed by the philosophy that only superior craft creates great art.

dell'arte Opera Ensemble is committed to the essential building blocks of opera: great singing, great music, and great dramA. Singers working with dell'Arte range from those who have just exited school to those pursuing regional careers and even covering major roles at the Metropolitan Opera. They enjoy first-rate coaching, enthusiastic and talented colleagues, and collaboration with professional instrumentalists, culminating in a highly enriching experience. Audiences enjoy the fresh excitement of experiencing role debuts and witnessing important landmarks in each singer's artistic process. Alumni of the program are employed at opera companies all over the world.

For more information, visit www.dellarteopera.org.