Our 11th annual Opera in the Park this past Saturday was, as one attendee described it, “brilliant!”. The crowd filled Garner Park to hear the talented voices of our stars soaring through the air.The event was a big hit with attendees and critics alike!
Madison Opera’s “Opera in the Park” again hits all the right notes
“Over two hours, [the audience] consistently cheered and at the end gave a standing ovation…” — Jacob Stockinger, The Well-Tempered Ear
Opera in the Park serenades and seduces with songs of love
“The mix of love songs, beautiful voices, perfectly pleasant weather and clear skies made this year’s event an ideal evening to fall in love with opera.” — Rena Archwamety, 77 Square
Singers sample upcoming roles at Opera in the Park with Madison Opera
“This year’s Opera in the Park…brought together an unusually fine group of guest soloists, all with excellent voices and seasoned experience.” — John Barker, The Isthmus
Our summer intern, Isabella Livorni, managed to snag a few moments with Opera in the Park Event Coordinator (and all-around superwoman) Karra Beach, whose leadership makes this Madison summer tradition possible.
Thank you to all of our patrons who came out for a beautiful evening in Garner Park. We hope to see you in the theatre during the upcoming 2012/13 Season of Temptation!
Opera in the Park is set to go this Saturday night at 8 p.m. in Garner Park. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your evening:
HOW TO GET THERE & WHERE TO PARK
WHEN TO ARRIVE
- The park will open at 7 a.m. for those wishing to place chairs or blankets early in the day. Many people do this, but Garner Park is big: there is plenty of space, especially up the hill, even if you arrive at or after 8 p.m.
EATING & DRINKING IN THE PARK
- Picnicking is allowed and encouraged. Feel free to bring your own alcoholic beverages, but note that no wine or beer is for sale in the park. We encourage you to bring plenty of water.
- Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream is the only vendor in the park, in addition to sodas and water for sale by Madison Opera.
WHILE YOU’RE IN THE PARK
- Raffle tickets will be sold in the park for $10 and 3 for $25. Prizes are an opera season package, $1,500, and a grand prize of $3,000. This is a great way to support Opera in the Park!
- Programs for Opera in the Park are available for free. You can read the program, and get information about the evening’s entertainment, in the Opera in the Park 2012 guide.
- Lightsticks, glow necklaces, and glow glasses are sold for $1. Be prepared for lightstick conducting in the second half of the program! Souvenir t-shirts will be available for sale again this year. Opera in the Park 2012 t-shirts are $12.
WEATHER UPDATES
Forecast updates, and in the event of severe weather, a notice of postponement, will be announced at this page on the Madison Opera website. The rain-date for Opera in the Park is Sunday, July 22, same place and time.
 |
Maestro Roland Johnson with Ann Stanke
(Madison Opera General Director 1984-2005). |
We are very sorry to report that Roland Johnson, the co-founder and former music director of Madison Opera, has passed away at the age of 91.
Johnson and his wife Arline started what became the Madison Opera with an Opera Workshop performance that included the second act of Die Fledermaus in May 1962. This was followed in March 1963 by three sold-out performances of Puccini’s La Bohèmeat Madison East High School. As Madison grew in the years that followed, so did the company, moving its performances from East High School to the Union Theater and then the Oscar Mayer Theater.
Johnson conducted almost every performance; under his baton, the company performed a diverse repertoire, from classics such as Carmen to more unusual works such as The Bartered Bride. In February 1977, the company presented a live telecast of Massenet’s Manon – one month before the Metropolitan Opera did its own first live telecast. In another first, Madison Opera commissioned Shining Brow from composer Daron Aric Hagen; the opera premiered in 1993, conducted by Johnson.
Johnson remained music director of Madison Opera until the end of the 1993/94 season; his final performance was Aida in April 1994. He continued his association with the company after his retirement, conducting several more operas in the years that followed and preparing the chorus through 2008. He remained an active supporter of Madison Opera, attending the company’s 50th anniversary gala in May 2011 and speaking with great affection about the company he had built.
John DeMain, who succeeded Maestro Johnson at both the Madison Symphony and at Madison Opera, credits Johnson with truly advancing the cause of classical music in Madison, playing a major role in developing the Madison Symphony as a professional regional orchestra. “He was a consummate musician and gentleman,” says DeMain. “I enjoyed working with him and have boundless respect for what he brought to our community.”
Kathryn Smith, Madison Opera’s General Director, says: “I first met Roland in May 2011, when he attended the meeting at which the board of trustees voted me in as the new general director. Such a gesture of support from the founder of the company made me feel incredibly welcome to Madison Opera. My admiration for his work has only grown in the time I’ve been here – he truly built something amazing that we are privileged to continue to share with our community. He will be missed by everyone.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 11am at Midvale Community Lutheran Church in Madison.
Madison Opera’s production of Rossini’s Cinderella (La Cenerentola) closed the mainstage season of the 2011/12 Season of Dreamers. It was a stylish production directed by Garnett Bruce, in which the classic fairy tale was transported to 1930s Hollywood. Maestro John DeMain led a sparkling musical performance that had everyone on their feet. Madison Opera has been lauded in the past for its productions, and Cinderella won over audiences and critics alike!
 |
Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack (Cinderella)
as she dreams of a new life. |
 |
Tenor Gregory Schmidt (Ramiro)
as a star director at Palace Pictures. |
Patrons got into the fun of the era with tableaux vivant presented by the Edgewood High School Drama Department (which recently took home a 2011/12 Tommy Award for their production of West Side Story). The talented students posed in scenes referencing some of 1930s Hollywood’s most iconic stars and characters:
 |
Edgewood High School students as film stars Lena Horne and Katharine Hepburn,
Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind, and Alfalfa and Darla of the Little Rascals. |
On opening night, we hosted the annual gala to benefit Madison Opera, this season appropriately titled A Night at the Palace. Anthony and Leslie Cao provided guests with post-opera musical entertainment.
 |
| Guests enjoy a pre-show dinner at A Night at the Palace. |
We rounded off opening night at Fresco Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge,with our second annual OUT @ the Opera, the signature event for our LGBTQ and Allied affinity group.
Cinderella was an incredibly busy and extraordinarily fun weekend! Thank you to everyone who made the 2011/12 Season of Dreamers unforgettable. We encourage you to email your comments and let us know your thoughts.
“So what is comes down to is this: when I attend an opera, I see people like me. People who like a good story, are moved by passion and feeling, and are wowed by talent, beautiful music, and a feast for the eyes. Opera is very welcoming if you take in everything it offers. Yes, opera is for everyone.”
That is an excerpt from The Livingston Inn blog post on opera as an art for everyone. Be sure to check it out here, and pass it on to anyone in your life who has ever thought of themselves as the “wrong” audience for opera.
The Livingston Inn’s post truly speaks to why all of us at Madison Opera— our administrative staff, production crew, Board members, volunteers, and the nice people who bring us cookies— are passionate about what we do and work to share it with our patrons and our patrons-to-be. Possibly the most gratifying words this blogger hears are: “This was my first opera ever and I loved it!”
