Opera Theatre Announces 2013 Summer Season

Opera Theatre of the Rockies is excited to announce the upcoming 2013 Vocal Arts Festival featuring the production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved The Sound of Music. Following a three-year absence, the Festival returns to Colorado Springs with a variety of concerts and events for audiences of all ages! Participants will be featured in three exciting concert programs: Vocal Arts Idol (July 16, 7 pm), Let's Make a Scene (July 21, 3 pm) and finally in three performances of our summer blockbuster - Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music (August 2 & 3, 7 pm and August 4, 3pm). The summer season then wraps up on August 7 at 6:30 pm with POPERA in the Quad - the Third Annual Free For All concert celebrating the legacies of Charles Ansbacher & Bee Vradenburg. (Ticket prices and details for all events are below.)

Although EVERY Vocal Arts Festival (VAF) performance will be stellar, the highlight of the summer will be three performances of The Sound of Music! With dazzling virtuosity, local opera-stage favorites Jennifer DeDominici (Maria) and Peter Tuff (Captain Von Trapp) lead the cast, with additional roles being filled by Valerie Nicolosi (Mother Abbess), Sally Hybl (Baroness Von Schreiber) and Brian Harris (Max Detweiler), to name a few. Vocal Arts Festival participants round out the cast. The production is under the direction of Steven LaCosse (Stage Director: University of North Carolina School of the Arts Fletcher Opera Center and VAF ) and the orchestra will be conducted by local favorite Thomas Wilson (Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and Colorado Springs Philharmonic).

During its initial 11 year run, the Vocal Arts program attracted young performers from across the United States and beyond, and Opera Theatre is delighted to have it return to their roster of activities during this, their 15th Anniversary season! Martile Rowland, Opera Theatre of the Rockies Founder and Artistic Director states: "Training is at the very heart of our mission, and it is such a privilege to work with young performers, watching them grow by great strides in just the few weeks they are here. Even better is when they return year after year for the Festival and we see how the instruction and performance experience we have provided has helped them advance toward achieving their dreams. Our young artists are now performing for companies all over the world and they credit their training in this program as a huge part of their success. This is truly where the stars first shine. "

New this year is the inclusion of young singers in elementary through high school, as well as the college-age and young professionals that have been a staple of this Festival. Throughout the Festival our young singers will be coached in many aspects of performance including acting, choreography, body and vocal warm-up & conditioning, and of course, singing. These elements are then connected through incredible performance opportunities.

CONCERT DETAILS:

• Vocal Arts Idol, Tues., July 16, 7:00 pm , Packard Hall, Colorado College
  2013 Vocal Arts Festival singers will delight you with their great talent & charm. Applause! Applause! ($15 Adult/$7 Students)
• Art in the Garden, Fri., July 19, 5:00 pm, Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church, 8 Fourth St., 80906
  An evening of music, delicious food, & wine. Artwork will be for sale to benefit Opera Theatre of the Rockies.
  Tickets $25 - Call 527-8036
• Let's Make a Scene, Sun., July 21, 3:00 pm, Packard Hall, Colorado College
  Scenes from Magic Flute, Falstaff, Secret Garden, Annie, and The Disney Cruise Review are some of the operatic & music theater offerings from this musical buffet! ($15 Adult/$7 Students)
• The Sound of Music by Rodger & Hammerstein, Friday August 2, 7:00 pm; Saturday August 3, 7:00 pm; Sunday, August 4, 3:00 pm; Armstrong Hall, Colorado College
  Our hills are alive with the sound of music! Jennifer DeDominici (Maria) and Peter Tuff (Captain Von Trapp) lead the Von Trapp family on the musical journey we all know and love. Colorado Springs conductor Thomas Wilson will lead the orchestra and Steven LaCosse will direct. Your ticket includes a Sound of Music sing-along and lemonade one hour before the performance! TICKETS: Adults: $25 Balcony & $30 Main Floor, Kids: $10, Students over 18: $15; Family 4-Packs: $60 Balcony; $70 Main Floor (1 or 2 Adults plus kids to total 4 tickets).
• POPERA in the Quad, Wed., August 7, 6:30 pm*, Colorado College Quad
  Fabulous soloists, chorus & orchestra will dazzle all who attend the Third Annual Free For All concert celebrating the legacies of Charles Ansbacher & Bee Vradenburg. *Lawn opens at 5 pm. FREE CONCERT

Another great summer event will be the fabulous Pikes Peak Opera League event, "Art in the Garden" on Friday, July 19 from 5-8 pm on the lawns and garden of the Chapel of Our Savior at Fourth Street in Colorado Springs. Featured artists will donate a portion of their artwork sales to benefit Opera Theatre of the Rockies and you can also enjoy lovely hors d'oeuvres, wine and music provided by young Festival singers. For more information, you can call 719-527-8036. Cost is $25 per person.

Concert tickets are now on sale at the Worner Center, Colorado College, ( NW corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade Avenue), by phone at (719) 646-3127, or by visiting Opera Theatre's web site at www.operatheatreoftherockies.org. For specific ticket information or to arrange for a group to attend a performance, call Sylvia at 719-232-5833. For more information about all the events visit Opera Theatre of the Rockies' web site at www.operathetreoftherockies.org.

We look forward to seeing you at these wonderful performance adventures. It promises to be a glorious summer!