OUTREACH PROGRAMS
OUTREACH CONCERTS:
Elgin OPERA’s goals are to create engaging community programs that entice new audiences to this musical genre
while providing high quality performances in venues convenient to residents in outlying Chicago areas. This is
accomplished through affordable public performances, the Training Ensemble, and custom-designed programs for
organizations, schools and senior residential facilities.
OPERA Youth Recital, May 2003, performed at St. Hugh Episcopal Church in Elgin, initiated the student training and performance aspect of Elgin OPERA, which has been a consistent thread weaving through our organizational development and history.
Once More with Passione! May 2004, performed once at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, featured Training Ensemble members in a varied all-opera excerpts concert of arias, duets, a trio and choruses; providing important professional development for the singers, and an enjoyable, intimate afternoon’s entertainment for the audience.
Delnor Glen Assisted Living Center, St. Charles, September 2004, the Training Ensemble again provided a full concert of opera excerpts in the packed lobby of Delnor Glen exclusively for their residents – sponsored by a grant from WalMart, in honor of Grandparents’ Day.
OPERA Goes to the Movies, November 2004, explored the wealth of opera excerpts used by Hollywood in movies for 50 years in two performances at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, Elgin. A cast of twenty Training Ensemble members performed arias, duets, a sextet and full choruses directed by Solange Sior and included a Hollywood opera quiz, with a prize awarded the winners!
The OPERA Benefit Festival, June 2005, represented an enormous programming and logistical challenge as Elgin OPERA undertook six excerpt concerts in four locations: Elgin, Evanston, Hoffman Estates and Winfield. Many lead singers from the Die Fledermaus production earlier in the year donated their time and talents to participate along with the Training Ensemble members, forming a cast of 30 performers. The program displayed the depth and breadth of the operatic repertoire by spanning four centuries with a range of very familiar and lesser known pieces, as well as humor and heartbreak.
Voce d’Amore was performed in two variations at two locations: St. Charles Library, St. Charles, October 2005, and DelWebb Sun City Huntley, January 2006, and highlighted many aspects of love expressed in opera and also previewed the upcoming production of La Traviata, with lead singers again donating their time for the benefit of Elgin OPERA’s development.
Inside Opera and a La Traviata Preview brought an absorbing educational program to Kimball Middle School, Elgin, to demonstrate many areas involved with an opera production: costumes, the story of La Traviata, an Opera in the Movies quiz, opera used in cartoons, as well as singing. This well-received program fully prepared the students to understand and enthusiastically enjoy the full performance six weeks later.
OPERA Youth Recital, May 2003, performed at St. Hugh Episcopal Church in Elgin, initiated the student training and performance aspect of Elgin OPERA, which has been a consistent thread weaving through our organizational development and history.
Once More with Passione! May 2004, performed once at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, featured Training Ensemble members in a varied all-opera excerpts concert of arias, duets, a trio and choruses; providing important professional development for the singers, and an enjoyable, intimate afternoon’s entertainment for the audience.
Delnor Glen Assisted Living Center, St. Charles, September 2004, the Training Ensemble again provided a full concert of opera excerpts in the packed lobby of Delnor Glen exclusively for their residents – sponsored by a grant from WalMart, in honor of Grandparents’ Day.
OPERA Goes to the Movies, November 2004, explored the wealth of opera excerpts used by Hollywood in movies for 50 years in two performances at St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church, Elgin. A cast of twenty Training Ensemble members performed arias, duets, a sextet and full choruses directed by Solange Sior and included a Hollywood opera quiz, with a prize awarded the winners!
The OPERA Benefit Festival, June 2005, represented an enormous programming and logistical challenge as Elgin OPERA undertook six excerpt concerts in four locations: Elgin, Evanston, Hoffman Estates and Winfield. Many lead singers from the Die Fledermaus production earlier in the year donated their time and talents to participate along with the Training Ensemble members, forming a cast of 30 performers. The program displayed the depth and breadth of the operatic repertoire by spanning four centuries with a range of very familiar and lesser known pieces, as well as humor and heartbreak.
Voce d’Amore was performed in two variations at two locations: St. Charles Library, St. Charles, October 2005, and DelWebb Sun City Huntley, January 2006, and highlighted many aspects of love expressed in opera and also previewed the upcoming production of La Traviata, with lead singers again donating their time for the benefit of Elgin OPERA’s development.
Inside Opera and a La Traviata Preview brought an absorbing educational program to Kimball Middle School, Elgin, to demonstrate many areas involved with an opera production: costumes, the story of La Traviata, an Opera in the Movies quiz, opera used in cartoons, as well as singing. This well-received program fully prepared the students to understand and enthusiastically enjoy the full performance six weeks later.
