(Credit: Nick Coleman/Coleman PhotoGraphix) On March 15, the Portland Opera is set to present “The Shining” an opera by Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell. The work comes from the iconic book by Stephen King that was made legendary by Stanley Kubrick with his 1980 film starring Jack Nicholson. Having made its world premiere in 2016, the opera has been performed {…}
Portland Opera has unveiled its 2025-26 season. First up is “African Queens” starring Karen Slack in her famed program. She performs works by Damien Geter, Jasmine Barnes, and Shawn Okpebholo. Performance Dates: Sept. 13-14, 2025 Next up is “The Elixir of Love.” The opera is presented in a 50-minute English language production as part of the “Portland Opera to Go” program. {…}
Portland Opera is moving to a new home. The company revealed that after two decades at the Hampton Opera Center, it will now call the World Trade Center on Salmon Street its new home. The new space features the Outdoor Plaza and indoor theater, allowing flexibility for the company’s mainstage and “Opera a la Cart” summer series. “This move right-sizes {…}
Portland Opera is set to present “The Juliet Letters” as part of its 60th anniversary season. The opera, which opens on Nov. 15, 2024, and runs through the 24th for a total of six performances at Artists Repertory Theater, will feature Portland Opera Resident Artists including Matthew Maisano, Ginaia Black, Erin Roth Thomas, and Nathaniel Catasca. They are joined by {…}
Portland Opera has announced its selections for the company’s Resident Artist program for the 2024-25 season. The artists in residence for the 60th anniversary season are soprano Ginaia Black, mezzo-soprano Erin Roth Thomas, tenor Nathaniel Catasca, and baritone Matthew Maisano. Collaborative pianist Claire Forstman returns for a second year. For eight months, the residents will study with primary vocal coach Paul {…}
Composer and new music mezzo Dr. Lisa Neher stars in “She Became Fire.” Themes of social justice, feminism, loss, and love, are interwoven throughout the program. The concert features the world premieres of ”Riots” by Drew Swatosh and Carolyn Quick, and “Volume” also by Quick. Also on the program are works by Danielle Olana Jagelski, Neher and Bea Goodwin, Gabriela {…}
Portland Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. First up is “The Shining.” The adaptation of the famed Stephen King novel stars Robert Wesley Mason, Rebecca Krynski Cox, Quinton Gardner, and Richard Zeller. Damien Geter conducts and Erin Neff directs the revival. Performance Date: March 15 – 23, 2025 Verdi’s “Falstaff” stars Darren Drone, Stephen Gaertner, Yi Li, Kearstin Piper Brown, and {…}
Portland Opera has received a $22,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in support of its upcoming production of “The Snowy Day.” The opera by Joel Thompson and Andrea Davis Pinkney centers on Peter as he explores his neighborhood during a snowy day. The work premiered in December 2021 at the Houston Grand Opera. This run of {…}
Portland Opera announced on Jan. 4, 2024 that it will sell its southeast Portland headquarters building. The Hampton Opera Center’s 44,835 square feet space has been home to the company’s administrative offices, performance space, costume shop, and rehearsal spaces since 2003. The building was purchased from KPTV for $5 million. The sale will help alleviate the company’s debt accrued during {…}
Portland Opera has announced that Alexis Walker is the second Ensemble Leaders Fellow. Walker is a member of Pacific University’s Chamber Singers. She has also performed with the American Choral Directors Association and the Oregon Music Educators Association. She has also worked in theater as a Stage Manager and Assistant Producer and is a vocal instructor and Voice Program Director {…}
(Photo credit: Cory Weaver) Portland Opera has announced the receipt of a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust. The grant for $31,669 aims to support the company’s workshop of “The Factotum.” The opera, created by Will Liverman and DJ King Rico, sets the famed Rossini opera “The Barber of Seville” in a Black barbershop n Chicago. The work feaures opera, {…}