Tag Archives: HOT

HOT presents a modern take of the family friendly The Mikado

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Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), closes the 2013-2014 HOT Opera Season this June with a modern take on the operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado.  Performed in English, this family friendly classic takes the audience through a series of hilarious events, as Nanki-Poo, the son of The Mikado, tries to escape an arranged marriage and finds new love along the way.   

Although set in Japan, this enchanting work brings together worlds in only the way the opera can, as the story makes fun of English society and mores of the time.  Directed by HOT Artistic Director, Henry Akina, with Costumes designed by local Fashion Designer Anne Namba, the Artistic Team is presenting a modern take on the tale with characters dressed in the style of Harajuku Girls, Yakuza, and Anime characters.  Conductor Tim Shaindlin returns to Hawaii to lead the orchestra.

Bass-Baritone Jamie Offenbach, a native of Honolulu, leads a phenomenal cast and stars as in the title role.  Offenbach has enjoyed a stellar career and has performed at venues around the world including his appearance in Florentine’s Opera’s production of Elmer Gantry, which earned two Grammy Awards in 2012.

Tenor Joshua Kohl portrays Nanki-Poo, a role he performed with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and was described as having “an excellent lyric tenor voice” by The KC Independent.  Baritone Curt Olds, who The Rochester Times describes as “born to interpret Gilbert’s witty libretto” plays The Lord High Executioner, Koko.  The object of both Nanki-Poo and Koko’s affection is Yum-Yum, who will be performed by rising star, Soprano Sarah Asmar (Yum-Yum).

Metropolitan Opera star Mezzo-Soprano Victoria Livengood (Katisha), University of Hawaii Professor Bass-Baritone John Mount (Pooh-Bah), and Baritone Leon Williams (Pish-Tush) round out the Soloists.

The Mikado will be performed over two weekends at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall from June 13-15 & 20-22.  HOT will also bring opera back to the island of Maui for the first time in seven years with a performance of The Mikado at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theatre on Maui on June 18.

For all Oahu performances, tickets can be purchased by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858, online at www.HawaiiOpera.org or via www.TicketMaster.com.

Tickets to the performance on Maui can be purchased by contacting the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at (808) 242-7469 or online at www.MauiArts.org.

Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci Meets Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana

Originally created by the Portland Opera, this production has been installed at Opera Companies across the United States.  Traditionally paired with other operas, Portland chose Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and brought in the award-winning BodyVox Dance Troupe to choreograph and dance to the choral masterpiece.  

Check out the highlights of Pagliacci from HOT’s upcoming production of Pagliacci & Carmina Burana!

 

 

HOT’s Pagliacci & Carmina Burana – The Opera Trailer Video

They say that a picture speaks a thousand words?  Well then, what does a trailer tell you?  See the magnificence of HOT’s production of Pagliacci & Carmina Burana for yourself in this video preview!

The Artistic Team of Conductor Hal France and Stage Director Roy Rallo lead a powerful cast with performances on March 28, 30, & April 01, you do not want to miss this!

Call the HOT Box Office today at (808) 596-7858 for your tickets to this Spring’s HOT show!

HOT Tube – Pagliacci & Carmina Burana is here!

HOT Tube!  Get your HOT Tube!

Check out this video, which takes you behind the scenes of HOT’s Pagliacci & Carmina Burana through the eyes of Elizabeth Caballero, who stars as Nedda in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and the Soprano Soloist in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

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HOT Tube – Hawaii’s Kip Wilborn in HOT’s Pagliacci & Carmina Burana

HOT Tube! Get your HOT Tube here!

Take a trip in this behind the scenes video of HOT’s production of Pagliacci & Carmina Burana, which performs at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on March 28, 30, & April 01, 2014!Screen shot 2014-03-22 at 12.19.03 PM

Buy your tickets now online at www.HawaiiOpera.org or by Calling the HOT Box Office at (808)596-7858!

 

Opera in Cinema – Aida

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The Honolulu Museum of Art continues its Opera in Cinema series with Aida this Tuesday!  This film was shot during the production’s run at Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

Fun Fact: HOT last featured the Verdi classic during the 2012 Opera Season.

There is a single showing of Aida on February 4, 2014, at 1:00pm at the Doris Duke Theatre. Don’t miss it!

 

 

Great Singers, Great Songs with Mark Morash

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 Great Singers, Great Songs with Mark Morash

Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) presents Great Singers, Great Songs, a Concert featuring Mark Morash, of the San Francisco Opera Center, on December 20 & 21 at 700p in the HOT Rehearsal Hall.

Mark Morash is a conductor and pianist originally from Dartmouth Nova Scotia, Canada. At the San Francisco Opera Center, Mr. Morash is the Director of Musical Studies and has overseen productions with the Merola Opera Program and Western Opera Theatre.  As a collaborative pianist, his performances have taken him throughout North America, Japan and Russia.

Mr. Morash will be in Hawaii to coach at the Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio, offered through HOT’s Education Program.  Select Singers of the Orvis Opera Studio are chosen to participate.  The Singers will be coached and take part in a program led by Mr. Morash, a professional from one of the world’s most noted operatic training programs.  The two weeks of work culminates with two public concerts.

Founded in 1998 by HOT’s Artistic Director, Henry Akina, the Opera Studio provides training and performance experiences, which include classes and seminars in movement, musical style, language, repertoire coaching and vocal master classes.  Studio Members are Hawaii residents who are divided into several categories based on several criteria.  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 was recently announced as the title character in the English National Opera’s new presentation of Verdi’s classic, Rigoletto.

Great Singers, Great Songs is a free event offered by HOT and will be held December 20 & 21, 2013, starting at 7pm in the Hawaii Opera Theatre Rehearsal Hall, located at 780 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI  96813.

Both on street and limited parking are available at Hawaii Opera Plaza (848 S. Beretania Street).  Seating is limited.  Please call 808-596-7372 to RSVP.

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HOT Opera Express – The Mikado

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The HOT Opera Express is on the road and in full effect bringing The Mikado to keiki around the island with a tour leading up to a performance for Ohana and the public at the Hawaii Theatre on November 6, 2013 at 700p!  Tickets prices range from $2.00 – $7.00 and are on sale now!

Don’t miss it!

To purchase your tickets and for more info check out the Hawaii Theatre’s website.

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From Hawaii Theatre:

“Hawaii Opera Theatre’s Opera Express ingenious adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic operetta will offer one public OHANA! Series performance at the Hawaii Theatre!

Every year the excellent Education staff at HOT streamline full-length operas into kid-friendly introductions to the world of classical opera.  This year they have chosen the witty vehicle Gilbert and Sullivan created to lampoon the English 19th century fascination with the Orient.  Their story is set in the fictional Japanese town of Titipu, with character names like Nanki-Poo, Pitti-Sing, Peep-Bo and Yum-Yum. The plot is as playful as the music that carries it along, and families will love the comic misadventures that result from disguise and mistaken identities.”

Opening Night – Turandot

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Susan Foster stars as Turandot in Hawaii Opera Theatre’s production of Puccini’s final masterpiece, Turandot.  The ‘Ice Princess’ sat down recently with Steven Mark from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and this is the cover feature for the publication’s weekend highlights insert, TGIF.

You can check out the whole article online at Honolulu Pulse.

The All-Star cast includes Jay Hunter Morris debuting as Calaf and Janai Brugger revisiting her role as Liu, which she last performed by gracing the stage at the Metropolitan Opera over a year ago.

Buy your tickets to Turandot at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center Box Office for tonight’s show!  For other dates call the HOT Box Office at (808)596-7858 of visit www.hawaiiopera.org!