FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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).