Opera Goes Round and Round

Opera in the round! Make sure you take your Dramamine before traveling to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic where you can see a performance in a revolving theatre! 

Impressed? So are we. What else have they done in the round? Here's a little info about their 2008 season.: http://www.ckrumlov.info/docs/en/ad2008012403.xml

Read more...

A Shout Out from City Pages

City Pages did a little write up about tonight's event: http://blogs.citypages.com/dressingroom/2010/12/stand_at_ease_f.php

Don't miss it - it's like happy hour kicked up a notch! Food and booze, friends and fun, and a lil' opera - military style. Tickets are still available (phone or at the door).

Read more...

Ask Tempo

Q: A friend is dragging me to the opera in March. La traviata, I think. I've never been before, all I know about the opera is fat ladies and viking helmets. Plus it's so "fancy," do I have to wear a tux? I can think of a whole host of things I'd rather do on a Saturday night. Like go to the bar with my friends, catch a Wild game, or stay home and play Rock Band. But I gotta go (because I agreed), so what should I expect? - Classically Challenged 

A: Well, Classically Challenged, we're glad you asked. Actually, we're especially glad that you asked now. Why, you ask? Because we have the PERFECT answer to your question. It's clear to us that you like fun (Wild games), music (Rock Band), and partying with your friends (bar on Saturday night). We've got an answer that incorporates all 3 of those things.*

Next Thursday (December 9), get yourself to the Minnesota Opera Center for Opera Boot Camp. The evening starts off with happy hour (seriously). From 6 - 7, we'll all be mixing, mingling, and enjoying wine from The Naked Grape, beer from Summit Brewery, and appetizers from Toast Wine Bar. Then from 7 - 8:30 you get to meet Tempo and the United Way (double bonus), go through opera basic training (a quick and dirty lesson led by Angie Keeton), and you get to experience the music (not a full blown production, some military-esque arias sung by opera artists). All this for only $15 dollars. To enlist in Opera Boot Camp, all you have to do is call the Minnesota Opera's ticket office at 612-333-6669 (business hours, 9-6).

So, there you have it. The PERFECT answer to your question. Sure you've got to wait a little bit (only a week), but good things come to those who wait, right? Feel free to wrangle up your usual Thursday happy hour crew and bring them too (you seem like the kind of guy who might appreciate a regular Thursday HH). The more the merrier. 

Any more questions? Just ask.

- Tempo

* By the way, Tempo Night Out is a triple threat too - opening night at the opera, an intermission lounge for the "cool" kids, and a kick ass after party at Sakura (yes, we just said kick ass - it's THAT good). So, you should be glad that your friend is "dragging" you to the opera in March (clearly they are a good friend). And no, you don't have to wear a tux. Just come as you are.

Read more...

Opera on the Water



(Rick Rycroft/Associated Press)

Sydney operagoers are in for a treat. In March 2012, Sydney will host Opera on Sydney Harbour. What's that you ask? Well, according to The Sydney Morning Herald:

Audiences will enjoy a world-class opera production on a unique floating platform moored off the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The first opera to be staged as part of the event will be Verdi's La Traviata and is set to feature a giant chandelier and fireworks.

Sounds wonderful. A good reason to save some $$$ for a trip to Sydney in 2012. Now, we'll admit that the Sydney Harbour is gorgeous - but Minnesota isn't without it's own beautiful bodies of water. Opera on the Lake has a nice ring to it, no?

Where would you like to see a floating opera staged? Lake Calhoun? The Mississippi? The St. Croix? Take it to the lake country and put it on Mille Lacs? All the way up north to Duluth Harbor? Or go south, to Lake Pepin? And, for good measure, what opera should it be?

We'd love to hear from you.

Related articles

• Australia opera festival set on barge (cbc.ca)
• Sydney to get floating opera (news.theage.com.au)

Read more...

Frasier = Cosi fan tutte?

Operation Opera is a blog after our own heart. The first scene of Cosi fan tutte rewritten as the script for an episode of Frasier - fantastic. Read and enjoy!

CHARACTERS:

Dr. Frasier Crane, a pompous and snobbish psychiatrist with a checkered love life.

Dr. Niles Crane, his equally effete, elitist brother, also a psychiatrist and also romance-challenged

Martin Crane, their father, a retired policeman with a taste for beer, country music and sports.

Eddie, Martin’s Jack Russell terrier, who can take Frasier or leave him alone.

(Scene: the living room of Frasier Crane’s Seattle apartment. Niles Crane is seated on the sofa, Frasier is at the bar. Their father Martin Crane is sitting in his leather recliner chair reading the newspaper. Martin’s dog Eddie is laying at his feet.)

FRASIER:

Another nip of Remy Martin, Niles?

NILES:

Not for me, thanks. I’m meeting Lara for dinner at Canlis in a little while. I’ve been wanting to try their smoked pork belly for some time now.

FRASIER:

“Lara”? Who’s this? Do I know her?

NILES:

No, I don’t think so – Dr. Lara Peters. We were fellow panelists at a symposium on anger management last month and just seemed to hit it off. We’ve been out a few times and… I really think this relationship might be something special.

FRASIER:

(drily) Yes… “everything’s coming up pork bellies”… What’s she like?

NILES:

Well, she’s a brilliant psychiatrist, she’s a sparkling conversationalist, she loves the theater… and… if you must know, she’s stunningly beautiful!

FRASIER:

Niles, I’m intrigued! You’ll have to have her over for cocktails some evening… unless, of course, she turns out to be a bit less dazzled by you than you clearly are by her.

NILES:

Frasier, that’s the best part: she is crazy about me! She’s constantly emailing me and sending me very provocative text messages; she adores my sense of humor; …she appears to be quite smitten if I say so myself.

FRASIER:

Dad, did you hear that? Niles has achieved the impossible: he’s located an attractive woman who laughs at his jokes.

Wanna read the read the rest? Yup, there's more. Check it out at Operation Opera.

Read more...

10 Questions with Eric McEnaney

Meet Eric McEnaney, Resident Artist (coach/accompanist)

1. What is your sign?
LEO, though very few people guess that about me!

2. What is your favorite opera?
It's a toss-up between Madama Butterfly and Don Giovanni.

3. If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
I would love to be a travel agent or chef.

4. What is your favorite dessert?
The tres leches cake at 112 Eatery--amazing!

5. If you had to describe yourself using three words, what would they be?
Fun-loving, focused, spiritual

6. What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving

7. What was your first opera?
Cosi fan tutte

8. If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would you want to play you?
It would be about learning to trust my instincts as an artist and I would want Tobey Maguire or Michael Cera to play me!

9. Are you a morning or night person?
Definitely a night person.

10. What’s your favorite thing to do in the winter?
Sit inside, under a blanket and read a good book.

Read more...

Cartoons & Opera - What's not to love?

One of Tempo's favorite sites is OperaPulse. Seriously, check them out. How can you not love a site that digs up gems like this:

Read more...