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{{short description|Opera company in San |
{{short description|Opera company in San Jose, California}} |
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'''Opera San José''' is an [[Americans|American]] opera company founded in 1984 by [[Irene Dalis]] (1925-2014) based in [[San Jose, California]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Opera Companies and Houses of the United States : A Comprehensive, Illustrated Reference|last= Zietz|first= Karyl Lynn|year=1995|publisher=[[McFarland & Company]]|isbn=9780899509556|chapter= Opera San José|page=30}} </ref> |
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'''Opera San José''' is a flagship arts organization of [[Silicon Valley]]. Maintaining a resident company of artists, Opera San José presents four mainstage productions annually in San Jose's beautifully restored, magnificent [[California Theatre (Los Angeles)|California Theatre]]. It also regularly broadcasts fully produced productions from its state-of-the-art Heiman Digital Media Studio. Now in its 38th season, Opera San José specializes in role debuts, serving as an artistic incubator for established and emerging artists and administrators, producing world-class operatic performances for diverse audiences throughout the Bay Area and around the globe. |
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Opera San José was founded in 1984 by [[mezzo-soprano]] singer [[Irene Dalis]] (1925-2014), who directed the company for 30 years until her retirement in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-08-28|title=Irene Dalis will retire in July after 30 seasons as general director of Opera San Jose|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2013/08/28/irene-dalis-will-retire-in-july-after-30-seasons-as-general-director-of-opera-san-jose/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1988, it formed a residency of principal artists that would perform in all productions, modeled after traditional [[European Union|European]] opera companies. The company purchased two apartment buildings to provide the artists with housing rent-free.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} Initially performances took place in the Montgomery Theater in San Jose's Civic Auditorium complex until 2004 when productions moved to the newly-restored historical California Theatre. |
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In June 2021, Dastoor was selected to become the next General Director and CEO of Houston Grand Opera <ref>{{Cite web|last1=June 29|first1=Joshua Kosman|last2=June 30|first2=2021Updated|last3=2021|last4=Am|first4=7:12|title=Opera San José chief Khori Dastoor tapped to lead Houston Grand Opera|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/opera-san-jose-chief-khori-dastoor-tapped-to-lead-houston-grand-opera|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide|language=en-US}}</ref> (beginning in January 2022), taking the helm of one of the country's largest opera companies. Opera San José announced the appointment of nationally acclaimed opera and theater director Shawna Lucey as its new General Director and CEO in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-07|title=Opera San Jose makes another bold move with new general director|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/07/opera-san-jose-makes-another-bold-move-with-new-general-director|access-date=2022-01-14|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref> Lucey's appointment as the fourth General Director in Opera San José's history will begin in January 2022, midway through the company's 38th season,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gilmore|first1=Sue|last2=Foundation|first2=Bay City News|date=2021-06-23|title=Opera San Jose announces '21-'22 season with 1 digital production, 3 live operas|url=http://localnewsmatters.org/2021/06/22/opera-san-jose-announces-21-22-season-with-1-digital-production-3-live-operas/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Local News Matters|language=en-US}}</ref> overseeing the productions of Bizet's ''Carmen'' and Bernstein's ''West Side Story'', as well as the return of the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition. |
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| ⚫ | Larry Hancock served as the General Director from 2014 until his retirement in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-07|title=Opera San Jose director Larry Hancock stepping down|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/07/opera-san-jose-director-head-larry-hancock-stepping-down/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref> at which point he introduced arts administrator [[Khori Dastoor]] as his successor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-07|title=Khori Dastoor To Be Next Opera San José General Director As Larry Hancock Announces Retirement|url=https://operawire.com/khori-dastoor-to-be-next-opera-san-jose-general-director-as-larry-hancock-announces-retirement/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Opera Wire|language=en-US}}</ref> Joseph Marcheso has been the music director and Principal Conductor since 2014. |
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| ⚫ | Following cancellations in 2020-21 due to [[COVID-19 pandemic |
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In June |
In June 2021, Dastoor was selected to become the next General Director and CEO of [[Houston Grand Opera]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2021|first=Joshua|last=Kosman|title=Opera San José chief Khori Dastoor tapped to lead Houston Grand Opera|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/opera-san-jose-chief-khori-dastoor-tapped-to-lead-houston-grand-opera|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Datebook|language=en-US}}</ref> beginning in January 2022. Opera San José announced the appointment of nationally acclaimed opera and theatre director Shawna Lucey as its new General Director and CEO in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-07|title=Opera San Jose makes another bold move with new general director|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/07/opera-san-jose-makes-another-bold-move-with-new-general-director|access-date=2022-01-14|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref> Lucey's appointment as the fourth General Director in Opera San José's history would begin in January 2022, midway through the company's 38th season,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gilmore|first1=Sue|date=2021-06-23|title=Opera San Jose announces '21-'22 season with 1 digital production, 3 live operas|url=http://localnewsmatters.org/2021/06/22/opera-san-jose-announces-21-22-season-with-1-digital-production-3-live-operas/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Local News Matters|language=en-US}}</ref> overseeing productions of Bizet's ''Carmen'' and Bernstein's ''[[West Side Story]]'' as well as the return of the [[Irene Dalis]] Vocal Competition. |
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| ⚫ | Following cancellations in 2020-21 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the company's 2021–22 season began in September 2022 with a digital production of [[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov|Rimsky-Korsakov]]'s ''[[Mozart and Salieri (opera)|Mozart and Salieri]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sidney Outlaw Shifts Into High Gear|url=https://www.sfcv.org/articles/preview/sidney-outlaw-shifts-high-gear|access-date=2022-01-14|website=www.sfcv.org|language=en}}</ref> starring baritones Sidney Outlaw (Salieri) and Simon Barrad (Mozart). A month later, the company returned to the California Theatre with a new production of [[Henry Purcell|Purcell]]'s baroque opera, ''[[Dido and Aeneas]]''. Casting for this celebrated work included [[mezzo-soprano]] Nikola Printz as Dido, [[baritone]] Efraín Solís as Aeneas, [[soprano]] Maya Kherani as Belinda, [[bass-baritone]] Nathan Stark as the Sorcerer, and [[dancer]]s from San José Dance Theatre. |
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A few months later, in December 2020, Opera San José presented a new fully staged production of [[Jake Heggie]]'s chamber opera, ''[[Three Decembers]]'', featuring world-renowned mezzo-soprano [[Susan Graham]] in the central role, alongside celebrated Opera San José Resident Artists soprano Maya Kherani and baritone Efraín Solís. Filmed in the Heiman Digital Media studio and available via digital stream, this production of ''Three Decembers'' was praised by the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' as “Skillful, makes chamber opera sparkle online. Buoyant. Elegant. A knockout.”<ref>{{Cite web|last1=December 2|first1=Joshua Kosman|last2=December 2|first2=2020Updated|last3=2020|last4=Pm|first4=6:25|title=Review: Skillful 'Three Decembers' makes chamber opera sparkle online|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/review-skillful-three-decembers-makes-chamber-opera-sparkle-online|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In June 2020, Opera San José unveiled its plans to create the Heiman Digital Media Studio,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-13|title=Opera San José Announces New Digital Performance Space to Stream Fully-Produced Opera|url=https://operawire.com/opera-san-jose-announces-new-digital-performance-space-to-stream-fully-produced-opera-and-more-into-homes-beginning-july-11-with-eugene-brancoveanu-singing-schumanns-dichterliebe/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Opera Wire|language=en-US}}</ref> a new performance/film space that enables the company to stream fully produced operatic performances into the living room of patrons. The studio was funded by a donation from Opera San José trustee Peggy Heiman in honor of her late husband, Fred Heiman. On July 11, 2020, Opera San José launched its Digital Media Studio series with virtual performances of Robert Schumann's ''Dichterliebe ('A Poet's Love')'' song cycle<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 8, 2020|first=Joshua|last=Kosman|title=Opera San José starts scouting an uncertain future with online song recital|url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/opera-san-jose-starts-scouting-an-uncertain-future-with-online-song-recital|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Datebook|language=en-US}}</ref> performed by Resident Artist baritone Eugene Brancoveanu and Resident Artist conductor Christopher James Ray on piano. The virtual performance was offered in English with Spanish and Vietnamese translations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-16|title=Opera San Jose Offers 'Dichterliebe' in Spanish & Vietnamese Translations|url=https://operawire.com/opera-san-jose-offers-dichterliebe-in-spanish-vietnamese-translations/|access-date=2022-01-14|website=Opera Wire|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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A few months later, in December 2020, Opera San José presented a new fully staged production of [[Jake Heggie]]'s chamber opera, ''[[Three Decembers]]'', featuring mezzo-soprano [[Susan Graham]] in the central role, alongside Resident Artists soprano Maya Kherani and baritone Efraín Solís. Virtual offerings that followed ''Three Decembers'' included a virtual New Year's Eve celebration, ''[[The Parting Glass]]'' (December 2020); ''Love & Secrets: A Domestic Trilogy'' (April 2021); ''[[Sing for Your Supper|Sing For Your Supper!]]'' (May 2021); and ''[[The Parting Glass|The Parting Glass Part 2: Back to the Bar!]]'' (December 2021). |
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The Heiman Digital Media Studio was made possible by a generous lead donation from Opera San José trustee Peggy Heiman in honor of her late husband, devoted Opera San José supporter Fred Heiman. |
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Opera San José has remained tirelessly inventive in finding ways to keep its artists working, the company together, and its community well-served – from creating one of the nation's first artist and musician relief funds at the outset of the pandemic,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Facing Crisis, Opera San José Sets Up Relief Fund for Its Musicians|url=https://www.sfcv.org/articles/feature/facing-crisis-opera-san-jose-sets-relief-fund-its-musicians|access-date=2022-01-14|website=www.sfcv.org|language=en}}</ref> to pioneering the production of digital programming for safe at-home viewing from the cutting-edge Heiman Digital Media Studio. |
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The premiere season of Opera San José began on September 18, 2004, at the 1,100-seat California Theater. The California Theatre, which opened as a vaudeville and movie theatre in 1927, was renovated nearly 30 years after it closed its doors in 1973. It is currently one of the most significant performing venues in the area. |
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Opera San José's continued mission is to act as an incubator for emerging artists and producer of affordable, accessible, world-class operatic performances. In addition to full-scale, mainstage operas, members of the resident ensemble will perform in digital concerts, recitals, in-conversation and Meet the Artists events, and fully produced operas created specifically for digital broadcast, as well as educational programming for youths and adults. |
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Opera San José's resident company is made up of early career artists that are identified and awarded annual contracts. During their tenure, members of the resident company perform leading roles in mainstage productions and participate in school and community-wide educational activities. Modeled after the German regional opera company, the resident company aims to prepare its artists for further career opportunities through performance experience and coaching by conductors and stage directors. |
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==Operations== |
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==Mission Statement== |
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| ⚫ | To date, Opera San José has presented 150 opera productions, including five world premieres among the 64 titles in its repertoire. Notable productions include the American premiere of [[Alma Deutscher|Alma Deutcher]]'s Cinderella (2017), [[Jake Heggie]]'s Moby-Dick (2019),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://operawire.com/opera-san-jose-2018-19-review-moby-dick/|title=Opera San José 2018-19 Review: Moby Dick|date=February 12, 2019}}</ref> and a large-scale production of Mozart's Idomeneo: ré di Creta (2011) jointly produced with the [[Packard Humanities Institute|Packard Humanities]]. |
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Opera San José is dedicated to maintaining a resident company of opera singers with whom we present compelling, professional opera performances, while creating and providing cultural and educational programs that both enrich the opera-going experience and encourage future generations of artists and audiences. Opera San José also provides technical assistance to other organizations. |
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In the United States, Opera San José is unique with its resident company of principal artists. These artists, in the first years of their careers, are identified and awarded annual contracts to perform leading roles in mainstage productions and to participate in school and community-wide educational activities. These singers are groomed for international performing careers. Due to the resident nature of the company, modeled after the German regional opera company, these artists build substantial professional repertoire, are coached by resident and guest conductors and stage directors, and are prepared to meet the demands of a successful operatic career. |
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| ⚫ | To date Opera San José has presented 150 opera productions, including five world premieres among the 64 titles in its repertoire. Notable productions include the American premiere of Alma Deutcher's Cinderella (2017), |
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The number of K-12 educational performances has exceeded 2,300. Community programming for adult audiences totals some 3,200 performances. Between all areas of programming, the company reached approximately 113,000 in its last complete season (2018-2019). |
The number of K-12 educational performances has exceeded 2,300. Community programming for adult audiences totals some 3,200 performances. Between all areas of programming, the company reached approximately 113,000 in its last complete season (2018-2019). |
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Opera San José |
Opera San José has received four-star ratings from [[Charity Navigator]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.history&orgid=8376|title=Charity Navigator - Historical Ratings for Opera San José}}</ref> for its record of responsible fiscal management. |
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Opera San José is funded by the city of San José |
Opera San José is funded by the city of San José as well as by donors such as [[Applied Materials]], [[Packard Humanities Institute]], [[Hewlett Foundation]], [[David and Lucile Packard Foundation]], and the [[Getty Foundation]]. |
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On September 18, 2004, Opera San José opened its debut season in the California Theatre. The 1,100-seat auditorium joined the select ranks of the world's most intimate opera houses. The California Theatre was originally a magnificent 1927 vaudeville and film house that closed its doors in 1973. After reconstruction and restoration, the California Theatre was returned to use as one of the region's most important performance facilities. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Musical groups established in 1984]] |
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1984]] |
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[[Category:Weeks and Day buildings]] |
[[Category:Weeks and Day buildings]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:30, 13 August 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2019) |
,_San_Jose,_CA.jpg)
Opera San José is an American opera company founded in 1984 by Irene Dalis (1925-2014) based in San Jose, California.[1]
History
[edit]Opera San José was founded in 1984 by mezzo-soprano singer Irene Dalis (1925-2014), who directed the company for 30 years until her retirement in 2014.[2] In 1988, it formed a residency of principal artists that would perform in all productions, modeled after traditional European opera companies. The company purchased two apartment buildings to provide the artists with housing rent-free.[citation needed] Initially performances took place in the Montgomery Theater in San Jose's Civic Auditorium complex until 2004 when productions moved to the newly-restored historical California Theatre.
Larry Hancock served as the General Director from 2014 until his retirement in 2019,[3] at which point he introduced arts administrator Khori Dastoor as his successor.[4] Joseph Marcheso has been the music director and Principal Conductor since 2014.
In June 2021, Dastoor was selected to become the next General Director and CEO of Houston Grand Opera,[5] beginning in January 2022. Opera San José announced the appointment of nationally acclaimed opera and theatre director Shawna Lucey as its new General Director and CEO in December 2021.[6] Lucey's appointment as the fourth General Director in Opera San José's history would begin in January 2022, midway through the company's 38th season,[7] overseeing productions of Bizet's Carmen and Bernstein's West Side Story as well as the return of the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition.
Following cancellations in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company's 2021–22 season began in September 2022 with a digital production of Rimsky-Korsakov's Mozart and Salieri,[8] starring baritones Sidney Outlaw (Salieri) and Simon Barrad (Mozart). A month later, the company returned to the California Theatre with a new production of Purcell's baroque opera, Dido and Aeneas. Casting for this celebrated work included mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz as Dido, baritone Efraín Solís as Aeneas, soprano Maya Kherani as Belinda, bass-baritone Nathan Stark as the Sorcerer, and dancers from San José Dance Theatre.
In June 2020, Opera San José unveiled its plans to create the Heiman Digital Media Studio,[9] a new performance/film space that enables the company to stream fully produced operatic performances into the living room of patrons. The studio was funded by a donation from Opera San José trustee Peggy Heiman in honor of her late husband, Fred Heiman. On July 11, 2020, Opera San José launched its Digital Media Studio series with virtual performances of Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe ('A Poet's Love') song cycle[10] performed by Resident Artist baritone Eugene Brancoveanu and Resident Artist conductor Christopher James Ray on piano. The virtual performance was offered in English with Spanish and Vietnamese translations.[11]
A few months later, in December 2020, Opera San José presented a new fully staged production of Jake Heggie's chamber opera, Three Decembers, featuring mezzo-soprano Susan Graham in the central role, alongside Resident Artists soprano Maya Kherani and baritone Efraín Solís. Virtual offerings that followed Three Decembers included a virtual New Year's Eve celebration, The Parting Glass (December 2020); Love & Secrets: A Domestic Trilogy (April 2021); Sing For Your Supper! (May 2021); and The Parting Glass Part 2: Back to the Bar! (December 2021).
California Theatre
[edit]The premiere season of Opera San José began on September 18, 2004, at the 1,100-seat California Theater. The California Theatre, which opened as a vaudeville and movie theatre in 1927, was renovated nearly 30 years after it closed its doors in 1973. It is currently one of the most significant performing venues in the area.
Resident company
[edit]Opera San José's resident company is made up of early career artists that are identified and awarded annual contracts. During their tenure, members of the resident company perform leading roles in mainstage productions and participate in school and community-wide educational activities. Modeled after the German regional opera company, the resident company aims to prepare its artists for further career opportunities through performance experience and coaching by conductors and stage directors.
Operations
[edit]To date, Opera San José has presented 150 opera productions, including five world premieres among the 64 titles in its repertoire. Notable productions include the American premiere of Alma Deutcher's Cinderella (2017), Jake Heggie's Moby-Dick (2019),[12] and a large-scale production of Mozart's Idomeneo: ré di Creta (2011) jointly produced with the Packard Humanities.
The number of K-12 educational performances has exceeded 2,300. Community programming for adult audiences totals some 3,200 performances. Between all areas of programming, the company reached approximately 113,000 in its last complete season (2018-2019).
Opera San José has received four-star ratings from Charity Navigator[13] for its record of responsible fiscal management.
Opera San José is funded by the city of San José as well as by donors such as Applied Materials, Packard Humanities Institute, Hewlett Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and the Getty Foundation.
References
[edit]- ^ Zietz, Karyl Lynn (1995). "Opera San José". Opera Companies and Houses of the United States : A Comprehensive, Illustrated Reference. McFarland & Company. p. 30. ISBN 9780899509556.
- ^ "Irene Dalis will retire in July after 30 seasons as general director of Opera San Jose". The Mercury News. 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Opera San Jose director Larry Hancock stepping down". The Mercury News. 2019-04-07. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Khori Dastoor To Be Next Opera San José General Director As Larry Hancock Announces Retirement". Opera Wire. 2019-04-07. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ Kosman, Joshua (June 29, 2021). "Opera San José chief Khori Dastoor tapped to lead Houston Grand Opera". Datebook. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Opera San Jose makes another bold move with new general director". The Mercury News. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ Gilmore, Sue (2021-06-23). "Opera San Jose announces '21-'22 season with 1 digital production, 3 live operas". Local News Matters. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Sidney Outlaw Shifts Into High Gear". www.sfcv.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Opera San José Announces New Digital Performance Space to Stream Fully-Produced Opera". Opera Wire. 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ Kosman, Joshua (July 8, 2020). "Opera San José starts scouting an uncertain future with online song recital". Datebook. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Opera San Jose Offers 'Dichterliebe' in Spanish & Vietnamese Translations". Opera Wire. 2020-07-16. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Opera San José 2018-19 Review: Moby Dick". February 12, 2019.
- ^ "Charity Navigator - Historical Ratings for Opera San José".