Monthly Archives: March 2016

Hawaii Opera Theatre announces the 2016-17 Opera Season

Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), the Islands’ only major opera company, announces the 2016-2017 Opera Season, a season highlighting the passion and magnificent beauty of opera featuring world-class productions and internationally renowned stars.

Puccini’s La bohème/ Blaisdell Concert Hall / Oct. 14, 16, & 18, 2016

La bohème is one of the most romantic love stories ever to grace the operatic stage, and is arguably Puccini’s most popular work, alongside his iconic Madama Butterfly. Set in Paris during the start of 1830s, La bohème tells the story of four young artists living in a garret (attic) and pursuing an idealistic “bohemian” lifestyle. When Rudolfo the poet meets Mimi they fall in love, but the poverty of their lifestyle affects her health and after a whirlwind romance she tragically dies. From the romance of their first meeting in Act One, to the joyous celebration of Café Momus on Christmas Eve with the delightful Musetta, the opera moves to the soulful quartet of Act Three which leads to the tragedy of Act Four. Throughout the opera we hear some of Puccini’s best-loved melodies.

Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire / Blaisdell Concert Hall / Jan. 27, 29, & 31, 2017

Andre Previn’s transformation of Tennessee Williams classic play. Set in New Orleans in the 1940s, Blanche DuBois arrives at the home of her sister, Stella, and husband, Stanley Kowalski after suffering the loss of her ancestral home and job. Skeptical of the story, Stanley grows infuriated by Blanche losing his wife’s birthright, and sets out to reveal the truth behind the circumstance. The conflict between the two unfolds with tragic and violent consequence.

HOT’s production stars Jill Gardner (Tosca 2013) as Blanche and Ryan McKinney (The Dutchman 2015) as Stanley. Mark Morash conducts.

Heggie’s Three Decembers / Hawaii Theatre / March 24, 25, & 26, 2017

Composed by Jake Heggie (Moby Dick), Three Decembers is based on a play by Terrence McNally, about Broadway Star, Madeline Mitchell, as she enters the twilight of her career and life. The story unfolds with Madeline, estranged from her children, sharing a secret she has kept, and over three decades hidden truths are revealed as they struggle to find their identities as part of a family and in their lives. Madeline will be performed by Frederica von Stade in what the Houston Chronicle called “the role of a lifetime” for the opera legend when she created the role in 2008.

Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann / Blaisdell Concert Hall / Apr. 21, 23, & 25, 2017

The Tales of Hoffmann, composed by Jacques Offenbach takes place over a series of flashbacks, as the famous German poet Hoffmann tells the story of his three great failed romances at a bar, ruining his fourth great romance in the process. Each woman represents a part of the whole that he is seeking: Olympia, the beautiful doll, Antonia, the singer and Giulietta, the courtesan. As his current love, the prima donna Stella, abandons him in despair, Hoffmann once more dedicates himself to his true love: poetry.

Join HOT and subscribe today to save by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858. HOT has extended its special Early Bird Discount to Subscribers to New Subscribers from now until April 8, 2016.

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Since 1961, Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), formerly a division of the Honolulu Symphony Society and incorporated in 1980, has served to enhance the quality of life in Hawaii by presenting opera performances of the highest standards, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.  Through four productions annually in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, HOT offers opera to almost 18,000 residents and visitors each season thereby increasing the public’s awareness and exposure to opera as a multi-media art form.

HOT’s educational programs for youth serve as both catalyst and active participant in the artistic education of Hawaii’s youth.  Opera for Everyone provides a special performance of each opera for a large and enthusiastic audience of students.  Opera Express takes operas specially adapted operas, into elementary and middle schools with special tours to all neighbor islands. HOT’s Opera Residency program takes our education and production staff members into an elementary school to work with students and teachers to compose an opera production centered around curriculum components.   Adult education is offered with Opera Highlights, a non-credit course at the University of Hawaii; Opera Previews, at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; pre-performance Lanai Lectures on the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall lanai; and other presentations at stores or shopping centers.

Led by Artistic Director, Henry Akina, and Executive Director Simon Crookall, HOT employs local musicians.  Auditions are held, generally in NY, to cast principal roles from mainland, European, Asian and local singers.  The Opera Chorus is a local volunteer organization.

 

Hawaii Opera Theatre appoints Shelley Wilson to Board of Directors

The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) Board of Directors approved the nomination of Shelley Wilson to the Board at its March Meeting, which was held on March 23, 2016. Ms. Wilson has served on the Boards of multiple organizations in Hawaii and is a former Chair of the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce.

A veteran of the Army, Ms. Wilson is the Founder, President and CEO of Wilson Care Group, Hawaii’s largest private-duty home healthcare service provider. Started in 1996, Wilson Care Group employs over 400 professionals and in response to the changing needs of clients, Wilson Senior Living was created in 2013.

Ms. Wilson and her team have received many accolades for service to our community over the years including Pacific Edge Magazine Business Executive of the Year (2013), Girls Scouts of America Woman of Distinction (2012), and the Pacific Business News Best in Small Business Winner (2011).

“We are delighted to welcome Shelley to the HOT Board. Her extraordinary business and leadership skills will be a tremendous asset to HOT.” Board President Jim McCoy said.

Ms. Wilson begins her tenure on the Board as the Chair of HOT’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Opera Ball, to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Sheraton Waikiki.

To learn more about the HOT Opera Ball, visit http://www.hawaiiopera.org/opera-ball/.

Spring Auditions for Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Orvis Opera Studios

Hawaii Opera Theatre will be holding auditions for the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio for adults and the Orvis Young Voices Studio for youth this Spring.

Founded in 1998 by HOT’s Artistic Director, Henry Akina, the Mae S. Orvis Opera Studio provides training and performance experiences, which include classes and seminars in movement, musical style, language, repertoire coaching and vocal master classes. In recent years, HOT has brought to Hawaii the Grammy Award-Winning Soprano Sylvia McNair, San Francisco Opera’s Mark Morash, Conductor Tim Shaindlin , and the legendary Erie Mills for master classes and vocal & performance coaching.

Members of the studio have gone on to be cast in HOT performances and productions with companies around the world. Of note, Quinn Kelsey, a Native Hawaiian Baritone and former Orvis Opera Studio participant has received rave reviews for his performances at The Metropolitan Opera, in Paris, & London.

Following the success of Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio program for adult singers, HOT’s award-winning Education & Outreach Department started the Young Voices program in 2014 to provide younger singers the opportunity to explore the world of solo voice performance. Since its start, singers from the Young Voices Studio have performed in main-stage productions with HOT’s chorus, in roles with productions by Diamond Head Theatre, and as part of the American Choral Directors National Honor Choirs.

Orvis Opera Studio Auditions will be held on April 2. To learn more, please contact Eric Schank via email (e_schank@hawaiiopera.org) or call 808.596.7372.

For more information about and the application for the Young Voices Studio Auditions, visit HOTYoungVoices.Weebly.Com. Apply by May 15, 2016 to be considered.

Have a HOT National Puppy Day!

Today is National Puppy Day!

dog-boston-terrier-viking-opera-costume-halloween

Stop by your local Humane Society to make an adoption if you are looking to bring home a new furry family member!

Toi, toi, toi to HOT Board Member Steve Prieto, who is a very active volunteer and supporter of HOT and the Hawaiian Humane Society!

Check out this video from Hawaii News Now featuring Steve, as he shares the benefits of adopting a puppy from the Hawaiian Humane Society!

Hawaii Opera Theatre presents the Orvis Young Voices Studio in Concert

Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) presents the Orvis Young Voices Studio in Concert on March 20, 2016, at 4:00pm, at the Sacred Hearts Academy Auditorium.  Singers will perform a selection of Art songs, Musical Theatre, and Opera.

Having seen great success with the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio program for adult singers, HOT’s award-winning Education & Outreach Department started the Young Voices program in 2014 to provide younger singers the opportunity to explore the world of solo voice performance. Since its start, singers from the Young Voices Studio have performed in main-stage productions with HOT’s chorus, in roles with productions by Diamond Head Theatre, and as part of the American Choral Directors National Honor Choirs.

The Orvis Young Voices Studio performance at Sacred Hearts Auditorium is free to the public, with parking available at the venue and on the street. For any questions regarding this performance, please contact HOT at (808) 596-7372.

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Since 1961, Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), formerly a division of the Honolulu Symphony Society and incorporated in 1980, has served to enhance the quality of life in Hawaii by presenting opera performances of the highest standards, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.  Through four productions annually in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, HOT offers opera to almost 18,000 residents and visitors each season thereby increasing the public’s awareness and exposure to opera as a multi-media art form.

HOT’s educational programs for youth serve as both catalyst and active participant in the artistic education of Hawaii’s youth.  Opera for Everyone provides a special performance of each opera for a large and enthusiastic audience of students.  Resident Ensemble takes operas specially adapted operas, into elementary and middle schools with special tours to all neighbor islands. HOT’s Mini Residency program takes our education and production staff members into an elementary school to work with students and teachers to compose an opera production centered around curriculum components.   Adult education is offered with Opera Highlights, a non-credit course at the University of Hawaii; Opera Previews, at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; pre-performance Lanai Lectures on the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall lanai; and other presentations at stores or shopping centers.