These photos were taken during the dress rehearsal on Thursday, August 5 at John Hinkel Park. The talented and beautiful, young cast and an orchestra made up of the very best players in the Bay Area together with the nuanced, meaningful and excellent staging by Olivia Stapp and inspired musical direction by Jonathan Khuner will be enforce this afternoon to surprise and delight the audience.

Rehearsals for Open Opera’s free outdoor productions of W.A. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” are in full swing as the cast and crew prepare for four performances in Berkeley’s John Hinkel Park on August 7, 8, 14, and 15, all at 3:00 p.m.

John Hinkel Park is in northeast Berkeley at 41 Somerset Avenue. Over 2000 people enjoyed two free performances of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” in the 700-seat historic amphitheater there last July. Handicapped access is available.  Come early to get the best seats, bring a blanket and a chair for your comfort.  Wine, soda and sandwiches will be sold.

The cast of professional singers in “Don Giovanni” includes Igor Vieira as Don Giovanni, Jo Vincent Parks (Leporello), Elizabeth Baker (Zerlina), Angela Moser (Donna Anna), Aimee Puentes (Donna Elvira), and Carlos Aguilar (Il Commendatore). Open Opera’s Artistic Director, Olivia Stapp, provides stage direction, assisted by Music Director Jonathan Khuner, who leads the orchestra. Laura Ellis is the choreographer and Open Opera’s Ellen St. Thomas is the production manager.
CAST
Don Giovanni: Igor Vieira
Leporello: Jo Vincent Parks
Donna Anna: Angela Moser
Don Ottavio: Mike Desnoyers
Donna Elvira: Aimee Puentes
Zerlina: Elizabeth Baker
Masetto: Ryan Bradford
Il Commendatore: Carlos Aguilar
Stage Director: Olivia Stapp
Music Director: Jonathan Khuner
Assistant Music Director: Bruce Olstad
Chorus: Rick Bogart, Zachary Howard, Nicholas Losorelli, Brie Martin, Michelle Persoff, Elenka Proulx, Cameron Sorensen, Cristin Williams

Eileen Meredith: “Chi’l bel sogno di Doretta” from La Rondine by Puccini

Lisa van der Ploeg: “Stride la vampa” from Il Trovatore by Verdi

Pedro Rodelas: “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto by Verdi

Heather McFadden and Eileen Meredith: “Barcarolle” from Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach

Lisa Houston: “Non Piu Mesta” from Cenorentola by Rossini

Megan Cullen: “Song to the Moon” from Rusulka by Dvorák

Eileen Meredith and Lisa van der Ploeg: “Vien Maillika…” from Lakme by Delibes

Leland Morine: “O vin dissipe la tristesse” from Hamlet by Thomas

Heather McFadden: “Voi lo sapete” from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni

Pedro Rodelas and Eileen Meredith “O soave fanciulla from La Boheme by Puccini

INTERMISSON

Elizabeth Baker and Nick Janitzky: “ Laci darem la mano” from Don Giovanni by Mozart

Eileen Meredith: “Caro nome” from Rigoletto by Verdi

Raymond Chavez: Federico’s Lament from L’Arlesiana by Cilea

Elizabeth Baker: “Una voce poco fa” from Il Barbiere di Sevillia by Rossini

Raymond Chavez and Nick Janitzky: “O Mimi, Tu Più Non Torni” from La Boheme by Puccini

Heather McFadden: “Accerba volutta” from Adriana Lecouvreur by Cilea

Megan Cullen: “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca by Puccini

Nick Janitzky: “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca by Puccini

Lisa van der Ploeg: “Mon cœur” from Samson et Dalila by Saint Saëns

Pedro Rodelas and Leland Morine: “Au fond du temple saint” from Pearl Fishers by Bizet

Lisa Houston: “Habeñera” from Carmen by Bizet

Eileen Meredith, Heather McFadden, Pedro Rodelas and Leland Morine: “Bel figlia” from Rigoletto by Verdi

Jo Vincent Parks: Prologue Aria, I Pagliacci, by Leoncavallo

Eileen Meredith: “Chi’l bel sogno di Doretta”/La Rodine by Puccini

Katya Roemer: “Io son l’umile ancella”/Adriana Lecouvreur by Cilea

Angela Moser and Ellen St. Thomas: ”Sull’aria”/The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart  

Theresa Cardinale: “Mon Couer”, Samson and Delilah, Saint Saëns

Gustavo Garcia Hernandez: “Recondita armonia”, Tosca, Puccini

Katya Roemer/Theresa Cardinale: “Barcarolle”/Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach

Megan Cullen: “Song to the Moon” Rusalka, Dvorák

David Chavez/Eileen Meredith: “O soave fanciulla”/La Bohème by Puccini

Elizabeth Baker: “Una voce poco fa”/Il Barbiere by Rossini

David Chavez: “Nessun Dorma”, Tosca, Puccini

INTERMISSION

Angela Moser: “Dich teure halle”/Tannhäuser by Wagner  

Theresa Cardinal and Katya Roemer: “Non ti scordar mai di me” Written by Ernesto De- Curtis; Domenica Furno

Richard Fey: “Non piu’ andrai”, Figaro, by Mozart

Angela Arnold: “My Man’s Gone Now”, Porgy and Bess by Gershwin

Katya/Theresa/Richard: “Soave sia il vento”/Così fan tutte by Mozart  

Angela Moser and Heather McFadden: “Vien Mallika”…, Lakme, Delibes

Heather McFadden: “Voi lo sapete”, Cavallaria Rusticana, Mascagni

Angela Moser: “O zittre nicht”/The Magic Flute by Mozart

Megan Cullen: “Vissi d’arte”, Tosca, Puccini
Open Opera brings free, professional opera to Bay Area parks and use public space to build community through the arts.

We are a non-profit company that relies solely on donations and contributions. If you would like to join Open Opera’s supporters, please visit us today at the volunteer table and we will happily and gratefully accept your donation.
You may also visit us at www.openopera.net and click on the donation tab.
Thank you!

Lisa Houston singing with Jim Meredith Playing at Crab Cove, Alameda, CA

A HIT: Open Opera Wows 750 at Crab Cove Concerts Kickoff
Open Opera started off Alameda’s Concerts at Crab Cove May 14 with two hours of wonderful vocalizing next to San Francisco Bay at Crown Beach. About 750 music fans enthusiastically supported our singers on a sunny Friday evening. Thanks to the West Alameda Business Association for hosting a great event!

NEXT UP: Return to Open Opera’s Origins at Live Oak Park June 27
Open Opera’s next free outdoor concert will be at 3 PM on Sunday afternoon, June 27, at Live Oak Park at 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman Street) in northeast Berkeley. Open Opera’s very first free outdoor opera concert was at Live Oak Park on October 25, 2008. You can take AC Transit’s line 18 bus, carpool, walk, or bicycle to the park. (Auto parking is limited nearby.)

ON DECK: Orinda Community Center Park July 25
At 4 PM on Sunday, July 25, we return to Orinda for a family-friendly and free concert at Orinda Community Center Park, sponsored by the Orinda Rotary Club. The handicapped-accessible park is across from Rite Aid at 28 Orinda Way in Orinda.
Bring friends, family, a blanket, and a picnic to this free event. (Food and drinks will be available for purchase.)

TWICE THE MOZART: Four Performances of Don Giovanni August 7-8 & 14-15
Open Opera will mount four fully staged performances of W. A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni at John Hinkel Park’s historic WPA-era amphitheater at 41 Somerset Place in Berkeley. Saturday and Sunday performances begin at 3 PM over two weekends this year. Save the dates and come early—1500 opera lovers crowded into the 700-seat amphitheater for last year’s two performances of Marriage of Figaro. (Please carpool and come early: parking nearby is very limited and local streets are quite narrow.)

We’ll see you in the parks this summer!

Open Opera brings free, professional opera to Bay Area parks
and uses public space to build community through the arts.

Please contact us to find out more about Open Opera:
On the Web: http://www.openopera.net/contact.html
Email us: info@openopera.net
Call us: 510-547-2471

Upcoming Events for 2010
Save the dates and tell your friends!
June 27 at 3 pm - Opera Concert in the Park - Live Oak Park in Berkeley
July 25 at 4 pm - Opera Concert in the Park - Orinda Community Park
August 7-8 - Mozart’s Don Giovanni - John Hinkel Park in Berkeley
August 14-15 - Mozart’s Don Giovanni - John Hinkel Park in Berkeley
†
Donate $25 today!

OPEN OPERA RETURNS TO BERKELEY’S LIVE OAK PARK
WITH FREE OPERA CONCERT JUNE 27

BERKELEY, CA, June 11, 2010 –

Open Opera returns to Berkeley’s Live Oak Park at 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 27, with a free opera concert featuring Bay Area singers performing opera favorites in the outdoors.

On October 25, 2008, Open Opera offered its very first free outdoor opera concert at Live Oak Park, which is at 1301 Shattuck Avenue (at Berryman Street) in northeast Berkeley.

Open Opera’s professional singers come from all over northern California. Stay tuned for a listing of the singers.

Open Opera will offer four free performances of W. A. Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni” at Berkeley’s John Hinkel Park on August 7, 8, 14, and 15. About 3000 people enjoyed two free performances of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” there last July. Open Opera will also offer
more free outdoor concerts this summer.

Artistic Director Olivia Stapp, who lives in Berkeley, co-founded Open Opera “to bring free, professional opera to Bay Area parks and use public space to build community through the arts…We wanted to return opera to its informal origins. At beautiful venues like Live Oak Park a music lover can listen, play with the kids, or picnic during a concert.” After a long and successful international opera career as a soprano, Stapp is offering Master classes for talented northern California professional singers as well as places to sing in the great outdoors. Executive Director Ellen St. Thomas, who co-founded the nonprofit group, says Open Opera “makes opera accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience, without cost or formality. We couldn’t wait to come back to Live Oak Park again.”

“We’re bringing opera to the public for free in a time of economic uncertainty, and using public outdoor spaces to build community through the arts,” adds mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Baker, Open Opera’s third co-founder and its Creative Director. Baker performed the role of Cherubino in last summer’s Marriage of Figaro. “It is great to see the kids playing and sitting in the trees while enjoying opera music.”

AC Transit’s line 18 bus serves Live Oak Park from Albany and downtown Berkeley Carpooling, walking, or bicycling are recommended: parking is limited in the area.

Open Opera is supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the City of Berkeley and by private donations. For more information on Open Opera, future performances, master classes, or to volunteer or support opera in public spaces, visit www.openopera.net or contact Executive Director Ellen St. Thomas (ellen@openopera.net; 510-547-2471).

Aimee Puentes: “Gavotte”/Manon by Massenet

Katya Roemer: “Io son l’umile ancella”/Adriana Lecouvreur by Cilea

Igor Vieira: ”Catalog Aria”/Don Giovanni by Mozart  

Eileen Meredith/Lisa Houston: “Barcarolle”/Tales of Hoffman by Offenbach

Ryan Bradford: “Pappageno’s Aria” The Magic Flute by Mozart  

Pedro Rodelas: “La donna è mobile”/Rigoletto by Verdi

Igor Vieira/Aimee Puentes: “La ci darem la mano”/Don Giovanni by Mozart

Leland Morine: “O vin, dissipe la tristesse”/Hamlet by Thomas

Aimee Puentes: “Juliette’s Waltz”/Romeo et Juliette by Gounod

Marta Johansen/Lisa Houston/Leland Morine: “Soave sia il vento”/Così fan tutte by Mozart  

INTERMISSION

Angela Moser: “Dich teure halle”/Tannhäuser by Wagner  

Lisa Houston: “Non più mesta”/Cenerentola by Rossini

Katya Roemer/Lisa Houston: “Tutti fior”/Madama Butterfly by Puccini  

Marta Johansen: ”Caro Nome”/Rigoletto by Verdi

Elizabeth Baker: “Una voce poco fa”/Il Barbiere by Rossini  

Pedro Rodelas/Eileen Meredith: “O soave fanciulla”/La Bohème by Puccini

Leland Morine: “Di provenza”/La Traviata by Verdi

Eileen Meredith: “Quando m’en vo”/ La Bohème by Puccini

Lisa Houston: “Habanera”/Carmen by Bizet

Angela Moser: “O zittre nicht”/The Magic Flute by Mozart

Open Opera brings free, professional opera to Bay Area parks and use public space to build community through the arts.

We are a non-profit company that relies solely on donations and contributions. If you would like to join Open Opera’s
supporters, please visit us today at the volunteer table and we will happily and gratefully accept your donation.
You may also visit us at www.openopera.net and click on the donation tab.
Thank you!

The first in a series of free open air Concerts at the Cove last Friday was a smash hit with more than 1,500 people coming to Crab Cove to hear Open Opera present favorites by Puccini, Mozart and others. The concerts are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the second Friday of May, June, July and August. The next concert on June 11 features “Foreverland,” a 14-piece Michael Jackson tribute band.

West Alameda Events

OPEN OPERA, LOCAL ALAMEDA SINGERS

Alameda, CA, May 5, 2010 –

Open Opera will present world-famous opera favorites at the 2010 season’s first free Concert at Crab Cove on Friday, May 14 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM in West Alameda.

The first Concert at Crab Cove marks Open Opera’s second Alameda performance. Singers from throughout northern California will sing opera favorites by Puccini, Mozart, Verdi, and others. On June 20, 2009, Open Opera offered its Alameda premiere at Franklin Park, where 300 people including mothers with infants, retired couples on bikes, picnicking families, and kids sitting in trees listened to famous opera arias. Last July about 3000 people enjoyed two free performances of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” Berkeley’s sunny John Hinkel Park.

Open Opera will offer more outdoor concerts this summer, plus four performances of W. A. Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni” at John Hinkel Park on August 7, 8, 13, and 14.

Artistic Director Olivia Stapp co-founded Open Opera “to bring free, professional opera to Bay Area parks and use public space to build community through the arts…We wanted to return opera to its informal origins. At a beautiful venue like Crab Cove a music lover can listen, play with the kids, or picnic during a concert.” After a long and successful international opera career as a soprano, Stapp is offering Master classes for talented northern California professional singers as well as places to sing in the great outdoors. Executive Director Ellen St. Thomas, a co-founder of the nonprofit group, says Open Opera “makes opera accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience, without cost or formality…We couldn’t wait to come back to Alameda after the wonderful welcome we received at Franklin Park last summer.”

“We’re bringing opera to the public for free in a time of economic uncertainty, and using public outdoor spaces to build community through the arts,” adds mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Baker, Open Opera’s third co-founder and its Creative Director. Baker performed the role of Cherubino in last summer’s Figaro. “It was great to see the kids sitting in the trees and enjoying the music at Franklin Park.”

The Crab Cove Visitor Center is at 1252 McKay Avenue, just off Central Avenue and Webster Street. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase, and BikeAlameda will provide free Valet Bike Parking at these free concerts produced by the West Alameda Business Association (WABA). Carpooling, walking, or bicycling are recommended: car parking is limited in the neighborhood.

Open Opera is supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and by private donations. For more information on Open Opera, future performances, master classes, or to volunteer or support opera in public spaces, visit www.openopera.net or contact Executive Director Ellen St. Thomas (ellen@openopera.net; 510-547-2471).