U. S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus
Tickets are free, but in limited supply.
October 15, 7:30 p.m.
Singletary Center for the Arts
From Boston to Bombay , Tokyo to Toronto , The United States Army Field Band has been thrilling audiences of all ages for more than half a century. As the premier touring musical representative for the United States Army, this internationally-acclaimed organization presents a variety of music to enthusiastic audiences throughout the nation and abroad, keeping the will of the American people behind the members of the armed forces and supporting diplomatic efforts around the world. The Soldiers' Chorus is the vocal complement of the Field Band. This 29-member mixed choral ensemble includes three alums of the UK Opera Theatre: Mario Garcia, Mark Huseth and Charis Strange! In addition to presenting selections from the vast choral repertoire, Soldiers' Chorus performances often include the music of Broadway, opera, barbershop quartet, and Americana .
Mainstage Opera Production
La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini
Ticketed event; group rates available
October 17, 18; and 25, 7:30 p.m. and October 26, 2 pm
Lexington Opera House
Perhaps the world's favorite opera, culminating in two of opera's greatest arias, this is the piece that inspired the Broadway hit Rent and moved motion picture audiences to laughter and tears in Moonstruck . You will recognize Puccini's melodies instantly! It's no wonder he has influenced virtually every Hollywood soundtrack since Hollywood soundtracks began. Come see, hear and feel one of the great romantic stories, a poignant tale of love, friendship and heartbreak among a group of young Parisian artists living in the Latin Quarter , told by the singers of UKOT with direction from Michael Ehrman.
Schmidt Youth Vocal Competition
FREE, open to all
October 25, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Singletary Center for the Arts, Recital Hall
Encouraging and nurturing the pursuits of young people in the arts is the core of the William E. Schmidt Youth Vocal Competition. Young, talented vocal artists who are currently high school sophomores, juniors or seniors, and who are recommended by their vocal teachers or choral directors, are eligible to participate in their state's competition (also administered by UKOT in Indiana , Tennessee , Florida and Connecticut ). Distinguished professors of voice and opera from major universities judge the competition. Cash awards are provided by the founders, William and Casiana Schmidt and the William E. Schmidt Foundation.
UK Opera - ON TOUR
Puccini's La Boheme , concert version
UKOT and Owensboro Symphony Orchestra
(Nicholas Palmer, Music Director)
Ticketed event
November 8, 7:30 p.m.
Owensboro 's RiverPark Center
Last year's visit to the RiverPark Center was such a rousing success, we have been invited to return, and gladly do so! The Owensboro Symphony has made quite a name for itself, under the leadership of Maestro Nicholas Palmer, bringing together the best in instrumental musicians in western Kentucky and southern Indiana for a lively evening of opera in concert in their sparkling new state of the art performance center overlooking the Ohio River . If you have friends or relatives in the Daviess County area, invite them to meet you in Owensboro !
Metropolitan Opera National Council District Auditions
FREE, open to all
November 22, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Memorial Hall , UK Campus
The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions is a program designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. The auditions are held annually in forty-five districts of the United States and Canada , each providing an opportunity for talented singers to enter the Auditions Program at the local level. This district competition will attract advanced singers from Indiana , Ohio and Kentucky . The winner will progress to the Regional Auditions to compete for a chance to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Sponsored by the Lexington Opera Society.
Metropolitan Opera Master Class
FREE, open to all
November 23, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Memorial Hall , UK Campus
In the classical voice tradition, the master class is a one-on-one lesson between a singer and master teacher, often observed by other singers and those interested in understanding more of what it takes to become a virtuosic performer. One of the professional judges from the district auditions will provide this opportunity for several of our singers to work with an accomplished visiting artist. Sponsored by the Lexington Opera Society.
Alltech Celebration of Song:
An Old Fashioned Holiday Sing-Along
Everett McCorvey, Music Director
FREE, open to all
December 13, 7:30 p.m.
Victorian Square Atrium,
Main and Broadway, downtown Lexington
This sing-along may be the most elegant you will ever attend, showcased by the gorgeous architectural features of Victorian Square, accompanied by professional and serious amateur singers and a hand-picked professional orchestra, your favorite holiday songs will take flight and inspire that special feeling that only the winter holidays can bring.
UK Opera – ON TOUR
Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto, concert version
UKOT and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
(James R. Cassidy, Music Director)
Ticketed events
COVINGTON , KENTUCKY PERFORMANCE - January 9, 2009
Greaves Concert Hall, NKU Campus, time TBA
LEXINGTON PERFRMANCE - January 11, 2009
Singletary Center for the Arts, 3 p.m.
Built on past collaborations with this accomplished Northern Kentucky symphony, UKOT's singers travel first to Covington , with a subsequent performance in Lexington where UKOT hosts the orchestra. Verdi's 16 th opera, Rigoletto, is based on Victor Hugo's stinging attack of the French court, Le Roi s'amuse. His first masterpiece, it tells the story of a hunchbacked jester desperate to keep his beloved daughter from the grasp of a licentious court, exploring some of the darker motivations of the human condition: lust, betrayal, and vengeance.
Lincoln: The Decision Maker, part of The Lincoln Opera Project
Feb. 12 12:30 - 2:00 at Singletary Center Recital Hall
Feb 13th 7 pm - 8:30 pm Wesley United Methodist Church 1825 Russell Cave Rd.
FREE, open to all
Starting as a simple idea to create an opera about Lincoln in Kentucky , The Lincoln Opera Project has grown, both musically and conceptually. In a variety of ways, it explores the early life of Abraham Lincoln, including the impressions made on the young boy growing up in rural Kentucky and how these influences resulted in growth and changes in his thinking. Because Lincoln 's changing views eventually led to the Emancipation Proclamation and a cascading change in American race relations, the LINCOLN OPERA PROJECT is an operatic look at our nation's history in the making.
The cornerstone of our project will be RIVER OF TIME , a full length opera, currently ‘under construction', and expected to premier at the Lexington Opera House in October 2009. Focusing on Lincoln's early life, from childhood to his early years in politics, River of Time is a work straight out of the bluegrass—with score and libretto by Kentucky artist, Joseph Baber and James Rodgers.
LINCOLN THE DECISION MAKER: a BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT sponsored in part by the Kentucky Humanities Council, will focus on the evolution of Lincoln's thinking on slavery and how he was influenced by his relationships with Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Truth. UKOT singers will perform several segments of River of Time featuring fictional characters from a slave market that Lincoln witnessed while working in New Orleans . Yvonne Giles, Lexington community activist, will share an African American perspective on the events leading to the Emancipation Proclamation and the enlistment of African-Americans in the Union Army. Historian Dave Bowman will provide an historical narration, especially related to Lincoln 's evolving position on slavery.
Mainstage Opera Production:
Gail Robinson Opera Gala:
A Celebration of the Professional Career of Gail Robinson
Ticketed event; group rates available
March 6, 7; 13, 14, 7:30 p.m.
Lexington Opera House
In honor of our esteemed colleague, and celebrating her retirement after an illustrious career, we present an opera extravaganza, including UKOT singers and singers from the Metropolitan Opera Young Artists' Program. Each of these performances will be comprised of scenes from not one, but several beloved operas, complete with costumes, and accompanied by the UK Symphony Orchestra. Gail Robinson, celebrated soprano, venerated star of the Metropolitan Opera and retired UK professor of Voice, has made inestimable contributions to the opera world, and to the vocal students at UK . Join us for this delightful tribute gala.
VERY SHORT version:
In honor of our esteemed colleague, and celebrating her retirement after an illustrious career, we present an opera extravaganza, including singers from the Metropolitan Opera Young Artists' Program and UKOT, comprised of scenes from not one, but several beloved operas, complete with costumes, and accompanied by the UK Symphony Orchestra.
Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition
FREE, open to all
March 8, 2 p.m.
Singletary Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
A vocal competition with over $150,000 in prizes and scholarships offered by UK . This competition is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who plan to attend UK and major in Voice. Sponsored by the Lexington Opera Society and Alltech Corporation.
Mainstage Production
It's A Grand Night for Singing!
Ticketed Event; group rates available
June 12, 13; 19, 20, 7:30 p.m.
June 14 and 21, 2 p.m.
Singletary Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
In its 17 th year, musical theater once again comes to Lexington in high style! Built around some of your favorite songs from Broadway and Hollywood musicals, over 100 singers, dancers and instrumentalists take to the stage, making each song larger than life.
Broadway Bound: Musical Theatre Summer Camps for Children
Advance registration required
Partnering with Kentucky Classical Theatre Conservatory
Three week program, tentatively set to begin on June 15
Various UK campus locations
Broadway Bound brings the joys and rigors of musical theater training and performance to Central Kentucky children, under the tutelage of professional instructors in dance, vocal music and theater. Each of the one-week camps culminates in a fully costumed and choreographed performance. Children can elect to attend multiple weeks.
Information on all programs: 859. 257-9331 or email to ukopera@gmail.com
