Opera Omaha has announced the selection of 13 poems for its 2023-24 “Poetry & Music Project.” Original poems were written by Nebraska and Iowa students grades K through 12. The chosen poems were selected from a pool of 102 submissions from poets across 12 counties. Students were prompted with the theme for this year’s project, “Discovery,” as well as the {…}
Opera Omaha has announced that it has added “El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered” as a special addition to the company’s 23-24 Season. The performance will be held on Dec. 11 at the Lied Education Center for the Arts on the Creighton University campus. Performed by the American Modern Opera Project, John Adams and Peter Sellars’ “El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered” celebrates Latin {…}
Lee Emma Running’s year-long residency with Opera Omaha will conclude on Nov. 11 at KANEKO. “Opera Coat,” an enameled cast iron sculpture, embellished with copper and bronze, is “an object of beauty and mystery, inviting an audience to explore the complexity of the objects used in opera represented in the unique tailoring and particular plants.” In a statement Running added, “I’m {…}
Opera Omaha is set to present Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” on Oct. 27 and 29 at Orpheum Theater. The comic opera is set to star baritone Jorell Williams in the title role alongside Vanessa Becerra as Norina They will be joined by Miles Mykkanen as Ernesto and Luis Alejandro Orozco as Dr. Malatesta. The production will feature direction by Octavio Cardenas {…}
Opera Omaha has announced that Katrina Thurman will be its new Director of Artistic Administration. In her new role, Thurman will act as a liaison between the major performers, managers, and administrations of the company. She started her career as a soprano, appearing with such companies as The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, Opera Omaha, Opera Philadelphia, Florida Grand Opera, The {…}
Opera Omaha has announced two new members to its Holland Community Opera Fellowship (HCOF). The two new integrants include Alejandra Sandoval-Montañez and Jazmine Salaberrios; they will join fellows Taylor Adams and Charisa Ramsey starting this fall and throughout the 2023-24 season. Per an official press statement “fellows serve as ambassadors of the company by bringing their artistic talents and resources to {…}
Opera Omaha’s annual Poetry & Music Project will culminate in a live concert presenting the world premiere of the songs inspired by poems from Nebraska students. This concert will premiere 15 original pieces with words from students set to music by professional composers Gabrielle Herbst and J.E. Hernández. The original poems, written by Nebraska students grades 3 through 12, were {…}
Opera Omaha will conclude its 2022-23 Mainstage Season with a production of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” The company will present a production by Dean Anthony with conductor Steven White. The cast will include Sidney Outlaw in his Opera Omaha debut as Figaro, with Vanessa Becerra as Susanna. The cast includes Michael Adams, Mary Feminear, Kristen Choi, Victoria Livengood, Rod Nelman, Graham Brooks, Karina Brazas, {…}
Opera Omaha has announced its 2023-24 season. The season opens with Jorell Williams in the title role of Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” alongside Vanessa Becerra, Luis Alejandro Orozco, and Taylor Stayton. Gary Thor Wedow conducts the production by Octavio Cardenas. Performance Dates: Oct. 27 & 29, 2023 Andriana Chuchman, Brian Vu, and Hyung Yun lead Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Steven White conducts the production by {…}
Opera Omaha has announced a new General Director. The company said that Allison Swenson will succeed Roger Weitz as its nineteenth General Director in the company’s history. She will begin her role in mid-February after transitioning to Omaha. Swenson has more than 20 years of experience in the field and has worked with the Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, and Santa {…}
Opera Omaha announced that General Director Roger Weitz will step down from his role at the end of the year. Weitz, who began his tenure in August of 2011, has earned accolades for its diverse and artistically excellent programming and for extending its reach locally, nationally, and internationally. In a statement, Weitz said, “I was born and raised in Omaha, {…}