Austin Opera Announces Revised 2020-21 Season

By Francisco Salazar

Austin Opera has announced a revised 2020-21 season featuring a new slate of performances and partnerships as it continues to explore new ways to bring opera to Austin audiences during the pandemic and beyond.

In a new partnership with the Blue Starlite Drive-In, the company will present a series of operas and concerts filmed for the screen to movie theaters in East Austin and Round Rock, beginning in October.

The series will feature the world premiere screening of “Winter Journey,” the Opera ATX production that was originally scheduled for live performances at the Austin Central Library in April 2020.

The Drive-In series will also include a new production of Poulenc’s “La voix humaine,” starring Karen Slack and directed by Fenlon Lamb. There will also be a 60-minute concert with soprano Lauren Snouffer and baritone Mark Diamond.

Meanwhile, the season at the Long Center will begin in January 2021 with An All-Star Concert and Puccini’s “Tosca” will be presented in April/May 2021 starring Leah Crocetto while Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” will be presented in November 2021 starring Will Liverman and Christian Zaremba.

Both An All-Star Concert and “Tosca” will be captured live and available for digital streaming for patrons and subscribers unable to attend. Finally, “Live from Indy Terrace,” Austin Opera’s innovative digital recital series born of the pandemic, will continue as part of the company’s regular programming

In a statement,  Annie Burridge, Austin Opera General Director & CEO said, “We have planned a dozen different season scenarios in recent months, trying to keep pace with the latest health and medical advice and the directives from our local leaders. We are hopeful these new plans announced today will allow our artists and audiences to once again gather safely so we can continue with our core mission of bringing thrilling live music to Austin. The digital aspect of our new performance schedule reveals how nimble an opera company must be in this uncertain age about maintaining its creative edge and reminding our passionate supporters that we are still in the business of making exceptionally moving art.”

The company also announced that “Penelope,” the Opera ATX production, which was set to open in October 2020 and “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” by Mason Bates and Mark Campbell will be rescheduled for the 2021-22 season.

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