Many, many thanks to the lovely members of Portland Opera Guild for sponsoring Patrick Morganelli, our composer for 'Hercules vs. Vampires,' and for their good work supporting all kinds of opera in Portland. Patrick will be here for opening night of 'Hercules vs. Vampires,' Friday, May 14.
SEE OUR TRAILER!
Created by Galen Huckins of Filmusik and featuring the marvelous voice-o'-god of Sam Mowry, and various operatic wailings by OTO Artistic Director Katie Taylor. All the music is from the new opera by Patrick Morganelli, which we'll be premiering May 14 at Hollywood Theater. Huzzah!
Mr. Universe 1958 Reg Park as Hercules. Still from 'Hercules vs. Vampires' (1961).
HERCULES VS. VAMPIRES: Technicolor opera slays bloodsuckers with song
OTO and fellow film/live music outfit Filmusik have hatched a two-headed mythological monster, soon to claw its way, amid a clamor of horns and operatic wailings, into the main auditorium at Hollywood Theater May 14-21. "Hercules Vs. Vampires" syncs a Technicolor cult classic with live performance of a new opera by Patrick Morganelli. Picture 'Clash of the Titans' with a singing Kraken, and you've got the idea!
'Hercules vs. Vampires' is made possible by a project grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council and Work for Art. Thank you, RACC!
January 2010
THANKS, EVERYONE!
The generous folks at Cupcake Jones donated 5% of all sales on Tuesday, January 5 to Opera Theater Oregon. Many thanks to Lisa Watson and her crew, and to all the excellent OTO folks who went and stocked up on sweets!
OTO RECEIVES GRANTS FROM RACC AND THE AUTZEN FOUNDATION!
Lots to be thankful for this month!
OTO is thrilled and honored to have Regional Arts and Culture Council and WorkforArt's support for our upcoming production of 'Hercules Vs. Vampires' (May 2010). OTO was one of 42 arts organizations in Portland to receive project support from RACC this year.
In the same week, we received notification from The Autzen Foundation of an award to support our big, expanded orchestra for Baywatchified 'Das Rheingold.' (February 2010).
Many thanks to RACC, WorkforArt and The Autzen Foundation!
October 2009
A few tix still available for this weekend's performances of 'Beggar's Opera' at The Woods. Don't miss out!
Reviews!:
"It's a fun show and the music is terrific...the singers are great too."
-David Stabler, The Oregonian
"For those who like more than a dash of daring in their opera, who enjoy beautiful music coupled with bawdy humor, it should prove a very enjoyable outing indeed."
-Lorin Wilkerson, Northwest Reverb
OTO is thrilled to announce an exclusive rough cut release of "Song of Redemption" - a new song from the world premiere of "The Beggar's Opera," an OTO commissioned work by Stephen Marc Beaudoin (book/lyrics) and Buoy LaRue's Michael Herrman (music).
This rough cut is an exclusive behind-the-scenes listen to this exciting world premiere in progress. "The Beggar's Opera" opens on October 22 (three weeks from today!), and runs Oct 22-25 @ Someday Lounge and Oct 30-31 @ The Woods. BUY TICKETS
September 2009
OTO and SCRAP "UNHOLY MATRIMONY: WEDDING IN VEGAS" POSTPONED
OTO's annual benefit (originally scheduled for September 26) has been postponed due to low ticket sales (ouch!). We'll be retooling and rescheduling for spring 2010. Stay tuned!
OTO TEAM TAKES HOME AWARDS AT 48 HOUR FILM
Congratulations to OTO's 48 Hour Film Project team, Opera Cinema Strike Force: 2009 winner for Best Costumes and Best Graphic Design, for our original opera noir, "Game Night." It takes a village to raise a child, but apparently it takes 87 determined and skilled people to make an opera film short in 48 hours. Thanks, everyone! Take a look!
August 2009
NEW VIDEO! An interview with Stephen Marc Beaudoin and Michael Herrman, creators of OTO's 'Beggar's Opera', opening October 22 at the Someday Lounge. Also some beautiful footage of the OTO team working on our 48 hour film project at the University Club (thanks Krk and Amy!).
OPERA CINEMA STRIKE FORCE TAKES ON 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT
On Saturday, August 15, after a night of feverish scribbling, garment-rending and vast quantities of sugar, a heroic group of singers and instrumentalists will hit the sound stage to record the soundtrack for OTO's first ever 48-hour film.
Our team, Opera Cinema Strike Force, includes members of Opera Theater Oregon and Filmusik, filmmakers Ian Probasco and Jen Wechsler, Classical Revolution PDX, Roxy Consort and Flash Choir, as well as a buxom bevy of Portland entertainment pros, dilettantes and ear candy.
July 2009
Death Rode a Horse
Filmusik/OTO collaboration 'Death Rides a Horse' - spaghetti western classic with a new soundtrack performed live at the historic Hollywood Theater, July 2009
This summer, filmusik presented a tale of vengeance and redemption: the 40th anniversary of Giulio Petroni's spaghetti western classic, 'Death Rides a Horse', with a new original score by Sam L. Richards and Gracin Dorsey performed live in the pit by Ecce New Music Orchestra and Opera Theater Oregon. Directed by Galen Huckins.
May 2009
OPERA CINEMA: DADA
Nuns in rubber play accordions, cats howl on key, children dodge a woman throwing knives, and angels sing mockingly as boxes of sin try to pass through Heaven's kitchen door. This Father's Day Weekend, Opera Theater Oregon's Opera Cinema: Dada aspires to make no sense to viewers. Tix now available for three shows on June 20 and 21 at Clinton Street Theater (all ages matinee June 21).
February 2009
'Opera Cinema: Camille/La Traviata' receives WW Pick! "You can see other La Traviatas, but you probably won't remember them as long as this club-sized version...It's hard to imagine a big stage production that could match the film's glorious Art Deco costumes and sets or hyperexpressive acting, nor OTO's cheerfully intimate club vibe, where you can quaff a brew and almost feel part of the film's boho '20s Paris setting." Brett Campbell
OTO on All Classical FM's Northwest Previews
Hear Andrea Murray's interview at this week's rehearsal of 'Opera Cinema: Camille/La Traviata' at OTO's den of myspace. Many thanks to Andrea and All Classical FM for giving us permission to air the interview on our site.
January 2009
Special thanks to our featured artists, who generously gave us permission to air their music, and to composer Sam Richards, for providing us with some great audio from Superman Orchestra.
INTRODUCING THE PROBE
Opera Theater Oregon's monthly podcast with news, views and music from the opera and classical underground and chamber rock scenes.
OPERA CINEMA: CAMILLE/TRAVIATA
Silent cinema, live soundtrack. Made possible by a grant from Multnomah County Cultural Coalition and through the generous support of Oregon Cultural Trust.
SUPER SWAG
Not sure what to get for the friend who has everything? How about a "Making Opera Safe For America" t-shirt?
October 2008
OTO 'The Medium' receives WW Pick! Curtsy to Brett Campbell An ideal Halloween trick and treat, Gian Carlo Menotti's hourlong 1946 mini-opera, The Medium, could have been a Twilight Zone episode scripted by Poe, featuring sham seances, drunken rages, puppet fu, cackling hysteria, crackling gunfire and the title character's maniacal madame medium, who could have been played by Gloria Swanson or Bette Davis. read on...
WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEB SITE!
Many, many thanks to the Regional Arts and Culture Council for funding the redevelopment of OTO's web site. Thanks to a Professional Development Grant from RACC, we now have this gorgeous new site, designed by the estimable Mr. Tim Huggins Enjoy, explore and drop us a line, if you'd like!
Many, many thanks to the lovely members of Portland Opera Guild for sponsoring Patrick Morganelli, our composer for 'Hercules vs. Vampires,' and for their good work supporting all kinds of opera in Portland. Patrick will be here for opening night of 'Hercules vs. Vampires,' Friday, May 14.
"You can see other La Traviatas, but you probably won't remember them as long as this club-sized version...It's hard to imagine a big stage production that could match the film's glorious Art Deco costumes and sets or hyperexpressive acting, nor OTO's cheerfully intimate club vibe, where you can quaff a brew and almost feel part of the film's boho '20s Paris setting." Brett Campbell
