Monthly Archives: September 2013

Hawaii Opera Theatre presents Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:  Jason M.A. Walter | 808-596-7372 ext. 211 | j_walter@hawaiiopera.org

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Hawaii Opera Theatre presents Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot

Honolulu, HI – The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) 2013-2014 Opera Season opens in head-chopping fashion with Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot. This passionate tale of a princess whose cruelty merely veils her fear of love features some of the composer’s most stirring music, including the acclaimed “Nessun dorma” (None Shall Sleep).

Returning to lead the way is the team of Conductor Christopher Larkin and Stage Director Karen Tiller.  Maestro Larkin and Tiller last worked together this past season and brought The Dialogues of the Carmelites to life.

HOT’s production will be performed by an award-winning cast including Soprano Susan Foster, whose renowned performances as the title character in productions around the world, including with San Francisco Opera & Opera Australia, have been described by Opera Today as “both the new and a new Turandot” for her delivery reveals a side of “The Ice Princess” that is “rarely revealed.”

Grammy Award winning Tenor Jay Hunter Morris, whose vaunted performance as a late-addition to Wagner’s Ring Cycle on 8 days notice made him a rising star, returns to HOT, where he last performed in La boheme (2003).  Mr. Morris will be making his debut as the courageous Calàf, who despite the odds against him, aspires to win the heart of his beloved Turandot.

Bass Harold Wilson will make his HOT debut as Timur, Calàf’s long-lost father and Soprano Janai Brugger revisits her role as Liù, one that she debuted last October with the Metropolitan Opera (MET) in New York City.

Baritone Jonathan Beyer, Tenor Jon McVeigh, and Tenor Joseph Frank will sing the roles of Ping, Pang, and Pong.  Local residents Erik D. Haines (The Mandarin) and Hilo native (The Mandarin) Kaweo Kanoho round out the cast.

Puccini died before the completion of Turandot, which was first performed in 1926 after Franco Alfano used Puccini’s own notes and outlines to complete the opera. Famously on its opening night, Maestro Arturo Toscanini did not perform Alfano’s ending. During the performance, the conductor laid down his baton right after Liù’s final scene and addressed the audience, saying, “Here the Maestro died.”

Turandot is based upon Gozzi’s dramatic fairy-tale about a barbarian prince who journeys to an unknown city. There, he is reunited with his father and a faithful servant. He also encounters a cold but beautiful woman, the Princess Turandot, and decides to undertake his greatest challenge—winning her love… Should he fail, the price is death! This story also focuses on the questions of family loyalty, faithfulness to duty, openness to emotion, and honesty with oneself.

Sung in Italian, with English language translations projected above the stage, Turandot can be enjoyed at performances in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on October 11, 13, & 15.  Single tickets start at $29 and to purchase them, visit www.HawaiiOpera.org, or call the Box Office at 808-596-7858.

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Jonathan Beyer replaces Kelly Markgraf as Ping

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:  Jason M.A. Walter | 808-596-7372 ext. 211 | j_walter@hawaiiopera.org

Hawaii Opera Theatre announces last minute casting change

Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), announces a casting change to its production of Puccini’s Turandot.

Jonathan Beyer will be replacing Kelly Markgraf in the role of Ping. Beyer sang the role with Dallas Opera earlier this year and is engaged to perform it next Spring at Opéra de Montréal.

Henry Akina, HOT’s Artistic Director on the casting:  “We’re lucky that Jonathan was available!”

Beyer, originally from Orland Park, IL, currently resides in New York.  In addition to performing the role of Ping, other recent engagements include: Count, Le nozze di Figaro (Austin Lyric Opera); Le Comte de Vauderont, Les vêpres siciliennes (Frankfurt Opera); Schaunard, La bohème (Munchen Philharmonic & Castleton Festival).

Puccini’s powerful setting of Gozzi’s dramatic fairy-tale opens the Hawaii Opera Theatre 2013-2014 season on October 11, 13, & 15.  Set in China, the story revolves around Prince Calaf’s attempt to win the hand of Princess Turandot by successfully answering 3 riddles. Will the Prince escape the executioner’s axe and melt the heart of his Princess?

To purchase tickets to Turandot, visit www.HawaiiOpera.org, or call the Box Office at 808-596-7858.

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HOT Group Packages

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Hey there Opera Lovers!!!  It’s time!  It’s time!  Time for the Season you’ve all been waiting for… it’s nearly Fall!

Though the weather feels like mostly Spring and Summer in Hawaii year-round, we love the Fall because it sparks the start of Opera Season.  Aside from Family and Friends, what could be better to enjoy and accompany you year-round than Opera Season?

Well, how about we offer you the opportunity to take in both?

With Turandot fast approaching, Hawaii Opera Theatre is now offering 20% Group Discounts for every order of 10 or more tickets!

To Buy your tickets, call HOT’s Box Office at 596-7858 now and enjoy the company of your loved ones while watching our Company bring to life the Opera!

 

Turandot Events – RSVP Today!

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The Event you’ve all been waiting for, HOT’s production of Puccini’s last opera, Turandot, is nearly upon us!  Take your experience of the Opera to another level with these Behind-the-Curtain VIP Events that you do not want to miss!

Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger  by Jay Hunter Morris Book Signing
Tuesday, 24 Oct, 2013 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Time Zone: Pacific/Honolulu
Local Time: Sun, 13 Oct, 2013 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Meet Jay Hunter Morris, making his debut as Calaf in Turandot, and get a chance toTo register, please email Tracy Jefferson at t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org.
Anne Namba Fashion Event 
Sun, 29 Sep, 2013 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Renowned designer Anne Namba will present a fashion show featuring a special collection for men and women in anticipation of the upcoming season and Opera Ball, and beautifully accessorized by Anna Meng.  To purchase tickets, please click here.
VIP Dress Rehearsal 
Mon, 7 Oct, 2013 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Join us for a reception, dress rehearsal and exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.To register for this event, please click here.This is a member benefit at the Donor Level ($600).
Ensemble Evening 
Tue, 8 Oct, 2013 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for light supper and wine.  Enjoy production insights by the Stage Director and Maestro while dining with the artists on the stage set.To register, please click here.This is a member benefit at the Contributor Level ($300).
Meet the Stars Party 
Sun, 13 Oct, 2013 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Meet the cast and artistic team following the matinee performance of Turandot.  To register, please click here.This is a member benefit starting at the Sponsor Level ($1,200).

 

 

 

Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger by Jay Hunter Morris Book Signing

Have you heard? This guy, Jay Hunter Morris, starring as Calaf in Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Turandot, published his book, Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger, earlier this year!

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This humorous collection of personal memoirs gives an intimate look into the Life
of the Grammy-winning tenor.

Jay’s own words about his journey:

“Disclaimer: Well, here’s my book! I like to think it’s equal parts auto-bio,
inspiration, and unrepentant potty humor. WARNING, if you’re sensitive and
precious, you probably won’t be amused. Turn back. But if on some rainy
afternoon you find yourself in need of a few giggles, I hope you’ll find some
here.”

HOT will be hosting a book signing with Jay Hunter Morris on Tuesday,
September 24, 2013 at The Arts at Mark’s Garage from 600p – 800p. To RSVP,
please contact Tracy Jefferson at t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org or call (808) 596-
7372.

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HOT Learning at Blanche Pope Elementary!

Today HOT’s Education Team is out on location!

Director of Education, Erik D. Haines, and Education Coordinator, Blythe Kelsey, hit the road for a very special engagement: Casting at Blanche Pope Elementary School!

Magic Flute

Located in Waimanalo, Blanche Pope Elementary is now host to HOT’s Residency Program. With the help of HOT Education staff, the school children will perform a family-friendly opera version of this classic production. Our opera education team leads students and teachers through the process of producing and performing an opera!

Other residency schools have included Aina Haina, Ala Wai, Momilani and Liholiho Elementary.

For more info on HOT’s Education Program, email Erik Haines (e_haines@hawaiiopera.org) or Blythe Kelsey (b_kelsey@hawaiiopera.org).

This September – Give Aloha

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This September, Foodland is hosting its Annual Fundraising Drive to Give Aloha, an opportunity to support your favorite non-profit organization, throughout the month.

For every $1 you donate (up to $249), Foodland and Western Union Foundation will match each donation up to a total of $350,000. The proceeds will be distributed to all of the non-profits participating.  Since the program began in 1999, a grand total of more than $19 million has been raised for Hawaii’s charities!

Please spread the word, support this great cause, and remember to select Hawaii Opera Theatre! Please mention organization code, 77600, when making your HOT donation!

You can learn more about this program at Foodland’s website.

The Wagner Society of Hawaii Hosts Mezzo Soprano Maya Hoover

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With the success of the Met’s HD broadcasts of its latest production of The Ring Cycle, the music of Richard Wagner is enjoying a resurgence of interest. Tonight’s Wagner Society of Hawaii (WSHI) meeting will feature a rare performance of the composer’s passionate song cycle Wesendonck Lieder by mezzo soprano Maya Hoover with pianist, HOT’s Head of Music, Beebe Freitas.  Hoover is a faculty member at UH Mānoa and one of the former hosts of HPR’s Great Songs.

The schedule for this event is as follows:

6:00 pm WSHI meeting (open to public); pupus, wine and a brief business meeting

7:15 pm Performance of Wesendonck Lieder

This will be free for WSHI members; $15 for HOT or HPR members and the general public (make checks payable to WSHI). Call Tracy at HOT 596-7372 or email t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org to RSVP.

HOT Opera Ball – East Meets East

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The Invitations have arrived and are making their way to a mailbox near you!  Please join us for not only the HOTtest, but the “BEST PARTY IN TOWN!”

This year’s HOT Opera Ball, themed East Meets East playing off the start of Opera Season with Turandot and the conclusion with The Mikado, will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in the Hawaii Ballroom.  The Festivities include Cocktails & Silent Auction (600p), Dinner (730p), HOT Entertainment by Nueva Vida featuring Rocky Brown (900p), and Dancing through the Night (930p-1130p)!

Please RSVP by October 4, 2013 to Tracy Jefferson via email (t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org) or by calling 808-596-7372 ext. 203.  

Click here for more information and to purchase a table or tickets today!

 

Announcing HOT Magnolia

 

 

 

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 A Magnolia shopping event for the benefit of Hawaii Opera Theatre

Saturday, September 14th, noon to 4pm

What would you do for love?

That’s the question presented in Turandot, Puccini’s opera being presented by the Hawaii Opera Theater (“HOT”) this October 11th, 13th and 15th at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

And that’s a great question to ask yourself, not only as the 2013-2014 opera season approaches, but also as the holiday shopping season approaches!

What would you do for love . . . of opera, of art?

Find answers at Magnolia at Kahala Mall on Saturday September 14th from noon to 4pm as it hosts HOT Magnolia, a shopping event during which a substantial portion of all sales proceeds will go directly to support HOT!

Enjoy shopping in the comfort of Magnolia with the beautiful music of Turandot as a backdrop, and enjoy delectable pupu and refreshments, along with some award winning wines generously donated and served by Silvert & Saibene Wines, LLP, an importer of wines from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and even Mexico

Come out and show your support for opera and the arts while getting a head start on your Christmas shopping!  Magnolia features over twenty local artists, many of whom will be on hand at HOT Magnolia to present some of their more rare offerings not typically available for sale. Attend HOT Magnolia and get VIP access to some extraordinary works of art, including:

  • woodwork by Andy Cole, Maho Shaw and Bobby Yamauchi, and Nadia Fairlamb
  • ceramics by Rauyl Nakayama and Bob Hoenig
  • textiles by Elizabeth Kent of Vested Interest, Vicky Durand, and Kathleen Lukens
  • jewelry by Chris Obando, Oona Menezes, Shelly Batha, Wendy Hagedorn, and Kauai Kahelelani Shell Jewelry
  • paintings by Lynne Boyer, Carol Collette and Ed Furuike
  • glasswork by Emily Thomas
  • faux plantscapes by Hiromi Ennis
  • botanical art by LOLA