Monthly Archives: February 2017

Frederica Von Stade in Three Decembers

HOT Debut – Frederica von Stade

“One of America’s finest artists and singers.” – The New York Times

The Hawaii Opera Theatre is thrilled to bring to Hawaii one of opera’s greatest stars, Frederica von Stade, in the HOT production of Jake Heggie’s Three Decembers. Ms. von Stade makes her HOT Debut in what the Houston Chronicle called “the role of a lifetime” for the artist when she created the role in 2008.

See the legend for yourself! Three Decembers will perform on Oahu at the Hawaii Theatre Center (March 24, 25, & 26).

Three Decembers will also be performed on the Big Island at Kahilu Theatre (March 29), Kauai at Kauai Community College (March 31), and Maui at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (April 1). 

Tickets for Three Decembers are available as follows

  • Oahu: HOT Box Office – HawaiiOpera.Org, 808.596.7858
  • The Big Island: Kahilu Theatre – KahiluTheatre.Org, 808.885.6868
  • Kauai: HOT Box Office – Tickets.HawaiiOpera.Org, 808.596.7858, Banana Patch Studios, Kauai Music & Sound, Scotty’s Music, Island Soap & Candleworks, Hawaiian Music Hut
  • Maui: Maui Arts & Cultural Center – MauiArts.Org, 808.242.SHOW

Purchase your tickets to Three Decembers online now!

About Frederica von Stade

Recognized as one of the most beloved musical figures of our time, Frederica von Stade has enriched the world of classical music for three decades with her appearances in opera, concert, and recital. The mezzo-soprano is well known to audiences around the world through her numerous featured appearances on television including several PBS specials and “Live from Lincoln Center” telecasts. She has made over sixty recordings with every major label, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums. Her recordings have garnered six Grammy nominations, two Grand Prix du Disc awards, the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Italy’s Premio della Critica Discografica, and “Best of the Year” citations by Stereo Review and Opera News. Miss von Stade was awarded France’s highest honor in the Arts when she was appointed as an officer of L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in 1983 she was honored with an award given at The White House by President Reagan in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts.

From www.fredericavonstade.com.

Finding Love at the Opera

#HOTSpeaks: Finding Love at the Opera

The opera stage is filled with love, passion, and lust. But sometimes all of that romance finds its way into the seats of the concert hall, too.

Sarah Bauer, 30, and Nick Yee, 36, have been dating for more than three years, and Hawaii Opera Theatre’s HOT Tuesday was their official first date.

“It’s actually thanks to HOT Tuesday that I can remember the anniversary of what we now call our first date,” Sarah said.

Nick and Sarah met when Nick was hired as a DJ for an HOT Preview event being put on at The ARTS at Marks Garage, where Sarah was working at the time. Sarah was surprised to hear several songs she liked and didn’t know, and she asked Nick to send her some of the titles.

It was music that brought them together. But opera made it official.

Nick had an extra ticket to HOT’s 2014 production of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman on HOT Tuesday, a pau hana, pre-opera event for young professionals.

“Taking her to the opera seemed like a ‘serious move,’” Nick said. “I was looking at it like there was this sort of old world charm about it. I wanted her to know that I was serious.”

It did impress Sarah. She actually had already planned on going to the opera herself.

“There was something really magical about a date at the opera,” Sarah said. “It was such a classic sort of thing that you would see in the movies.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two were interested in each other, but they were still a bit nervous. The fact that HOT Tuesday included a cocktail pre-party calmed their nerves.

“At HOT Tuesday, you’re able to talk to the person that you’re on the date with, have a couple drinks, relax, have something to eat, relax – you know?” Sarah said. “And you have this great conversation starter for yourselves afterwards.”

Nick appreciated that Sarah enjoyed the opera.

He was looking for someone cultured, he said, and he thought he just might have found that in her.

“I was so starstruck by her,” Nick said. “Every time she opened her mouth she said something really beautiful and well thought out and very musically enlightened.”

But Nick had one more question for Sarah. He introduced it after the opera production, when the two were at a nearby bar.

“‘Do you like jazz?’ It’s a simple question, but it’s a very loaded one,” Nick said. “Within jazz, like opera, there’s a lot of subtlety, there’s a lot of messages, and there’s a lot mixed into it. Basically, it’s asking someone, ‘Do you speak the same language I speak?’”

Sarah did. She spoke it so well, in fact, that she surprised him. On a date not long after, Sarah even played an album for Nick by one of his favorite jazz artists, but he hadn’t yet heard the album.

That was when he knew she was a keeper.

That ‘shared language’ is the glue that’s kept the couple together.

“What’s made it last so long? It’s shared interests, it’s teamwork, it’s mutual support of each other, and it’s communication, bolstered by a mutual love of the arts,” Nick said of their relationship.

Nick and Sarah now live together and also work together at Hawaii Public Radio.

When asked if they have plans for Valentines Day, the two said they’re letting each other off the hook this year because they have busy days at work.

It didn’t take long, however, for Nick to admit that he had plans after all. Nick will be starting a new position as the host of a music program on HPR that day, and he plans to play two hours worth of music that reminds him of Sarah.

Maybe even an aria from The Flying Dutchman will slip in.

Even though they won’t be going on a Valentines Day date, Nick and Sarah know they always have a date night in their future at the opera.

“We’ve kept the tradition of HOT Tuesday alive, and we love it. It’s one of our favorite nights out,” Sarah said.

 

The next HOT Tuesday will take place on  April 25 before the HOT production of Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. Call the HOT Box Office to book your date night today.

(808) 596-7858.