Opera Kelowna Launches

 

Last summer I had the privilege of catching an amazing Parks Alive! performance hosted by Sandra Babbel. It was one of the first times I have seen Opera in the Park and I can guarantee that it won't be the last. She has lots of plans to jump start Kelowna's Opera appetite but lets focus today on the upcoming PER L'AMORE PER L'OPERA  

 

 

 

Opera Kelowna // BTS Photoshoot from Limelight Studios on Vimeo.
Video by Tim Feeny of Limelight Studios 

 

 

RD: How did Opera Kelowna start?

First let me tell you my passion. My passion is for the young artistically inclined person who may be overlooked. Training at any sport or discipline can be very costly. Training in a discipline not common to others is even more difficult. My goal is to prepare and produce the best of Classical Singer right hear in Kelowna. I can't do it on my own... so I'm bringing in some of the best there is to train singers who have auditions from all over Canada.

 

After relocating to the Okanagan from Chicago I continued with my own singing career and teaching. As my pupils increased in there skill I began to present Classical concerts to a very enthusiastic audience. The idea was to present excellence in an entertaining quick-paced fresh and forward style. This was always well-received but was quite daunting to do accomplish alone. Recently a marketing talent, Andrea Bates, approached me and said, "This task is too much for one person to try to accomplish alone. Let me help you." Her skill along with a very energetic board and several generous sponsors came around me and Opera Kelowna was born. Simply put, my team began to take what I have been doing for years and packaged it in a lovely new box with a fresh ribbon!

 
RD: What led you to be an Opera singer?

 

Sounds have been the passion of my life. Growing up Slavic family had a song for every occasion. All sang with passion and gusto. Although I studied piano and theory and sang in various concerts and shows, I didn't start seriously training the voice until my first year of University. At my first voice lesson my instructor was taken aback. He asked me where I learned to make such a substantial sound. Being the only American born member of my immigrant family- I thought everyone sang like this! He told me my voice was very promising. In that same year I began to attend Classical Concerts and Operas and realized that this was my calling.

 

RD: How do you find the communities response to Opera?

 

Much of my offering to the community has to do with introducing something unknown to new ears. It's not what people expect! Not stuffy, not old, not boring! Much like the first taste of excellent wine, Classical music is a developed and appreciated taste. Here's our secret~~~~ Our youthful approach bows to the long-held tradition but also draws a young upwardly mobile educated audience. The support and sponsorship is remarkable. The recent Opera Kelowna photo shoot, photographed by Darren Hull with Make up and stylist Jenny McKinney, Hair stylist Kristel Lynn Rostecki and filmographer Tim Feen is the manifestation of the BEST talent this valley has to offer coming together to support refined taste with youthful vigor! I am amazed at how many new residents with metropolitan tastes have shown interest. I am equally amazed at how easily accessible this music is to a brand new audience. But the most exciting audience member is the one coming for the very first time! Virtually every performance surprises someone. The highest compliment often heard, "I just had NO idea there was something like this in the Okanagan!"

 

RD: What are some of the future plans for Opera Kelowna?

 

I have envisioned building an opera company and vocal education programs that would transform the musical and cultural landscape of our region.



Our performing season is focused on one full mainstage opera each year with several operatic productions to round out the year. In addition, our Young Artist Vocal Education and outreach programs – In-Class Opera Productions and School Tours – takes opera to schools, engaging youth in our community in the cultural experience that is opera.



This upcoming performance season will focus on Classical vocal and Operatic performances as well as the annual two (2) week Young Artists Summer Opera Program in partnership with UBCO and the Kelowna Community Music School. Faculty will include Michael Onwood, Orchestra and Arnold Draper,pianist and accompanist who will teach master classes in piano accompaniment and the reading of orchestral reductions. The program will culminate in Opera Scene performances here at the Rotary Centre for the Arts with Rosemary Thomson conducting members of our own Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Singers from all across Canada at high levels of skill will come to learn and then present exquisite music in Kelowna and the nearby region.

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In future years we hope to bring a professional approach to a full spectrum of productions including Operatic, Oratorio and other Classical Vocal Recitals and Performances, Special Events, and Family Operas. As a production company we serve to educate and expand the knowledge of Opera and vocal repertoire while engaging and entertaining our community.

 

 

 

RD: Tell us the story behind the new event your doing in May?

I am so excited to offer an extraordinary evening of couture fashion, wine and food. It's unapologetically opulent! We are serving Opera-tinis and delicious food along with custom Chocolate desserts! And the reward is that all of proceeds will help the training youth of Opera's tomorrow!!

 

PER L'AMORE PER L'OPERA means 'for the love of opera' ~ An intimate evening of fashion and arias to benefit our Summer Opera Program.

The event will be held at one of Kelowna’s most elegant venues: The Atrium & Courtyard. An indoor outdoor event -- a unique presentation of the light, ethereal, summer creations inspired by some of Classical music’s most beloved aria’s. Experience the transition from light to dark, from song to fashion as the sun sets in the beautiful Okanagan!

The evening will feature selections from Justin Paul Fashions and custom couture garments by Kelowna designer Birgit Badke, featuring her spring/summer collection – OMA’O ARIA COUTURE. This collaborative event will also showcase emerging artists from Opera Kelowna’s young artists program, guest artists and me.

Mingle while taking in the fashion show and the sounds of beautiful arias. Enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and custom desserts as you peruse our Silent Auction in an intimate setting filled with local wines and elegant designs!

Date: Sunday, May 19 st , 2013; Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM; Location: RCA Atrium & Courtyard

 

Get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/operamay
Tickets: $100.00

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Once again thank you to www.laner.ca and  https://www.facebook.com/ryandonnwhatson for this weekends live music listings:

 

Friday, Apr. 19th, 2013	venue
Devon Coyote	Doc Willoughby’s Pub
Easy Fix	97 Street Pub
Fighting Orange	Vintner’s Poolside Grill
Joelle Fuller and Joshua Smith	Mission House Coffee
Mr. Awesome / Six Sexy Ladies / Sex Loader	Grateful Fed
My Kind of Karma & The Stone Sparrows	Fernandos Pub
Papa Wheely	O’Flannigans Pub
The Young Uns	Kelowna Lake City Casino
Wick-it, Stylust and guests	Habitat
Windmills and Joyful Door	Minstrel Cafe
Zamboni Brothers	The Blue Gator