Read the latest Michigan Opera Theatre blog updates.
November 2018 The Barber of Seville Michael Paschke – Detroit Spectacular performance!! Must see! Beth Ann – Royal Oak Spectacular. The voices and orchestra were terrific as always, the sets were clever and charming but the acting and choreography were off the hook. I don’t know that I have ever laughed so hard or been […]
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Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, turkey with all the fixings and wishing for a white Christmas: every family has its holiday traditions. At Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT), holiday traditions span both dance and opera, with The Nutcracker, Too Hot to Handel and A Winter Fantasy. This year, MOT will add to its holiday roster […]
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Meet the members of our orchestra with our Profiles from the Pit series! This month, learn about our bassists Clark Suttle and Derek Weller! Clark Suttle Being of French heritage, it is fitting that Clark Suttle’s bass is named “Marie Antoinette.” It is even more so since the instrument was made in France in 1865 […]
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If you’ve been trying to introduce friends and loved ones to opera, this is your chance. Our next production in our 2018-19 season is a classic perfect for newcomers, The Barber of Seville, and you probably already know the music. With its trademark “Figaro, Figaro!” aria, the music has been featured in numerous commercials, movies and television […]
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October 2018 About this production Sue – Livonia Powerful piece. The fight scenes are very well done. Glad this was done as one without intermission. Had not realized more than one hour had gone by, it was that interesting. Ellen Kahn – Detroit @ MOT Most unusual dance performance. The dancers were completely in sink […]
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This week is National Opera Week, and we are thrilled to celebrate our beloved art form and its positive impact on our community! Since 1971, MOT has been bringing some of the world’s best artists to perform for our Detroit audiences, including greats like Luciano Pavarotti, Kathleen Battle, Andrea Bocelli, Denyce Graves and, most recently, […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre has prided itself on presenting a range of world-renowned and groundbreaking dance companies to Metro Detroit since 1996. This Saturday, we are proud to add the Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Company to that roster, offering a powerful, thought-provoking piece about struggle and addiction different than performances we’ve offered in the […]
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October 2018 Eugene Onegin Shirley – Troy Bravo, MOT! What a great tribute to Dr. D! This was one of the best operas I have seen at MOT. All the performers were top notch. Corinne was such a pleasure to hear; such a sweet, pure voice. And the gentleman who played Lensky was fabulous. I […]
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It is with heavy hearts we share that we have lost our beloved visionary and courageous founder, David DiChiera. He died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Our hearts go out to David’s family at this time of immense sorrow. There’s nothing that can be said about David that hasn’t already been […]
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Meet the members of our orchestra with our Profiles from the Pit series! This month, learn about our repetiteur and pianist Jean Schneider, as well as violinist Andrew Wu! Jean Schneider Jean Schneider is a woman of many talents. In addition to playing the piano, celeste, organ and harpsichord in the orchestra pit, she has […]
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At its heart, opera is storytelling, bringing characters to life through live performance, grand sets and, of course, beautiful music. This season Michigan Opera Theatre is featuring operas based on some of the greatest literature of all time with a series that includes Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin, Voltaire’s Candide and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of […]
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This season, we are excited to announce that Detroit’s own Peacock Room retail store has opened a pop-up shop at the Detroit Opera House. The shop, which has two locations in the Park Shelton and the Fisher Building, specializes in women’s apparel, accessories, stationary, gifts and furniture, inspired by the 1920s-1950s era. Owner Rachel Lutz […]
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Our beloved founder Dr. David DiChiera passed away Tuesday, Sept. 18. We remember him fondly. Please leave your thoughts, condolences, and memories of David here.
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Michigan Opera Theatre Founder David DiChiera was a force larger than life. In addition to founding MOT in 1971, David was a civic leader, an artist and an advocate for increasing diversity in opera. He saved two Detroit theaters, stimulating economic growth for a once-desolate neighborhood in the city. He nourished the careers of young […]
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Funeral for David DiChiera Live streamed from the Detroit Opera House
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In addition to producing and presenting opera and dance, arts education is a priority for Michigan Opera Theatre and has been since the founding of our Education and Community Programs departments by Karen DiChiera in 1978. Last year, MOT Education and Community Programs served more than 17,000 people, primarily youth, through touring productions, concerts, workshops, […]
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As we approach our upcoming season, our new group of Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artists are arriving, ready for a year of performance and training! Returning are tenor Michael Day and baritone Harry Greenleaf. Joining them are soprano Cheyanne Coss, mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung and bass Allen Michael Jones. You can catch them at their first […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre is excited to announce that we have implemented Groupmatics software, making it even easier for groups to purchase tickets! With Groupmatics, group members are able to buy tickets individually, removing the need for group leaders to be responsible for everyone’s order and money. How it works Group leaders reserve a block of […]
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Calling all opera-lovers, bookworms, and adventurers! Michigan Opera Theatre is excited to announce its Page to Stage program, a year-long initiative exploring and celebrating the masterworks of literature that inspired its 2018-19 opera series: Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin, Pierre Beaumarchais’s The Barber of Seville, Voltaire’s Candide, Grimm’s fairytale Hansel and Gretel and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes […]
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The program for Renée Fleming’s season-opening gala concert Sept. 29th at the Detroit Opera House has been announced! At “An Evening with Renée Fleming,” the opera superstar will perform a variety of music from opera, Broadway and classical composers, accompanied by the MOT Orchestra and conducted by MOT Principal Conductor Stephen Lord. She will also perform music […]
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We are excited to share that we have added two directors to our leadership team who will work to expand our community presence and programming! Andrea Scobie is our new Director of Education and Arthur White is our new Director of External Affairs. In her role, Andrea will lead MOT’s growing education programs, including MOT’s expanded […]
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It’s summertime, and Michigan Opera Theatre is excited to present “Summer Serenade,” a series of free outdoor concerts throughout Metro Detroit! From July 24-26, music-lovers across the region can enjoy classics from opera, Broadway and the Silver Screen, sung by MOT singers. The concerts will take place July 24 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, July […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre’s 2018-19 dance series is celebrating modern dance and dance legends! The modern dance line-up follows the movement through generations, featuring Martha Graham Dance Company (founded in 1926), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (founded in 1958) and Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (founded in 1983). On the classical side, audiences are in for a […]
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Canadian travel company FlightNetwork has listed the Detroit Opera House as a must-see for travelers visiting Detroit. The article describes the theater as a great way to spend an evening in the city, taking in Michigan Opera Theatre operas, performances from world-renowned dance companies and blockbuster Broadway musicals. Read more in: 72 hours in Detroit.
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In April 2017, Pittsburgh Opera premiered a groundbreaking work: “The Summer King,” a new opera based on the life of Negro Leagues baseball player Josh Gibson. While he may not be a household name, Gibson was a legend in his own right. As a power hitter with a batting average higher than .350, said to […]
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May 2018 The Summer King Information about this production Donna Wessel Walker – Ann Arbor Loved the Summer King! Great voices, powerful acting, beautiful vocal writing, terrific orchestral score. This opera has it all. Sets and costumes gorgeous. Bill Betz – Clinton Twp Normally we do not like contemporary operas, but this one was […]
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We are proud to share that Willie Horton and George Shirley will be part of a special pre-opera panel discussion ahead of the opening of The Summer King Saturday, moderated by Rochelle Riley of the Detroit Free Press! Willie Horton was a part of the World Series-winning Detroit Tigers team, and George Shirley was the first African-American […]
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Our Studio Spotlight concludes with tenor Michael Day, originally from Rockford, Illinois. Michael has performed in “Tosca,” “27” and “The Marriage of Figaro” with Michigan Opera Theatre, and we are proud to announce he will be one of our returning artists to the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio next year! See Michael perform next season in […]
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Join Michigan Opera Theatre for Take Me Out to the Opera: a series of events leading up to The Summer King celebrating groundbreaking African American artists and athletes who paved the way for integration in their fields. Upcoming Events: Take Me Out to the Opera: An Evening with Michigan Opera Theatre A free concert inspired by The Summer […]
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April 2018 About this production Visnja Tijardovic – Windsor Beautiful performance! Captivating dancers, lovely choreography, lights and costumes! Bravi!!! Sue – Livonia Loved the geometry of the last act. Fun listening to the 60’s music the dancers looked like they were having a fun time. Portia Fields-Anderson – Pontiac Amazing! Refreshing ! Loved the energy of […]
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This week, Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) presents the revered Paul Taylor Dance Company for two performances April 21-22 at the Detroit Opera House. The performances mark the company’s first visit to the Opera House since 1999 and bring a program that examines political change, remembered love and the human condition. “Paul Taylor is one of […]
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April 2018 Tosca Eleanor – Harrison Twp. It just doesn’t get any better than this production! The artists, sets, musicians are fabulous! THIS is opera at its finest! Ty – Detroit More than I expected. The performance was superb. The three famous arias were exactly as I have heard then and then to see […]
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Book-lovers rejoice, Michigan Opera Theatre’s 2018-19 opera season is catered just for you! MOT’s new opera season celebrates masterworks of literature turned opera with Alexander Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin,” Voltaire’s “Candide” and John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” It also gives a nod to children’s literature with a lavish production of the Grimm’s fairytale “Hansel and […]
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The MOT Studio Artists will perform at the National Opera Center in New York on April 19, 7:00 PM. As part of Opera America’s Emerging Artist Recital Series, companies from across the U.S. present recitals featuring competition winners and the most promising young singers from their training programs. Michigan Opera Theatre Studio is honored to be included […]
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What should opera look like in a world marked by rapid industrial and technological development? Though such questions certainly resonate in the 21st century, opera composers were asking the same questions at precisely the moment Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca was born. At the turn of the 20th century, the broader world was undergoing a massive amount […]
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March 2018 About this production Simone – Detroit Beautiful. This was performance was more than I expected. It was refreshing to see the male dances performance. I am looking forward to their return. D. Levitsky – West Bloomfield I thought that they were fantastic. However, the sound system on Saturday evening was terrible. A group as […]
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Dance Theatre of Harlem Executive Director Anna Glass knows the value of maintaining a culture. Though she has lived in New York City for 20 years, her Michigan roots run deep, connecting both her and her company to Detroit. “I love Michigan, I love Detroit,” she said. “It brings me great joy to bring a […]
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March 2018 27 Sally – Ann Arbor What a delightful opera! I really enjoyed it. Thought the singer that played Alice B. Toklas was superb. Pirooz – Ann Arbor The pre-performance talk by the composer, Ricky Ian Gordon, was illuminating and engaging. He is a genuine person with no pretension. I am a bit familiar with […]
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Late Monday night a parking center customer was assaulted at the Detroit Opera House Parking Center. This is the first incident of this nature we’ve experienced at the parking center, and we express our heartfelt concern to the woman involved. The safety of our employees, our guests and all those who use our facilities is […]
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Ahead of the March 2 opening of Ricky Ian Gordon’s 27, we take a look at the story behind the story. Learn about the famous 1920s artist salon of Gertrude Stein, and make sure to see 27, March 2-3 at the Arthur Miller Theatre in Ann Arbor and March 10-11 at the Macomb Center for the […]
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This Thursday, Michigan Opera Theatre continues its “Take Me Out to the Opera” campaign with “I, Too, Sing America” – an event at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History that will celebrate African American artists and athletes. The evening will be filled with compelling conversation, beautiful music, and the unveiling of a […]
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February 2018 About this production D. Duncan – Detroit Romeo and Juliet was absolutely excellent. The performance was as beautiful as it was dramatic – with the costumes and music well executed. Misty, or Juliet,- was a stunning and mesmerizing performer! A sensational dancer! Herman (Romeo) was excellent, and beautifully strong dancer. The chemistry on the […]
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The Michigan Opera Theatre Ambassador program is excited to offer a very special, one-time offer for patrons in western Michigan to come see Puccini’s operatic thriller Tosca on Sunday, April 15, 2018. Lust, betrayal, murder — nothing says drama quite like Puccini’s Tosca, one of the most popular operas of all time. Amid an unstable 1800s Italy, […]
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Please join us at the historic Detroit Yacht Club for another evening of “Opera at the DYC”! Artists from the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio will perform operatic hits, music from the Silver Screen, Broadway, and more! Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Doors & Bar open at 7:30 p.m. Performance at 8:00 p.m. Dessert Reception at 9:00 […]
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Travel back to 1920’s Paris… Michigan Opera Theatre, Chamber Music at the Scarab Club, and Kerrytown Concert House are pleased to present Americans in Paris, a vocal and chamber music concert. In anticipation of MOT’s upcoming production of Ricky Ian Gordon’s 27, an opera based on the lives of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre is proud to announce that long-term Chairman R. Jamison “Rick” Williams has been honored with a 2018 National Opera Trustee Award from Opera America. Rick was one of only four people across the country to receive the award, which recognizes outstanding trustees of U.S. opera companies for exemplary leadership, generosity, and audience-building efforts […]
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We start off 2018 introducing our resident soprano, Monica Dewey. The Georgia native recently made her San Francisco Opera debut as Poussette in “Manon” in November. She will sing the role of Alice Toklas in Michigan Opera Theatre’s production of Ricky Ian Gordon’s, “27,” presented at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts March 10-11. Q: […]
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2017 was an important year for Michigan Opera Theatre, a time of significant artistic achievement, the transition of our founder Dr. David DiChiera to an emeritus status, the first season under our Principal Conductor Stephen Lord, and remarkable support from our opera, dance and arts education contributors. We now look forward to 2018 with great excitement […]
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American Ballet Theatre is looking for supernumeraries to fill out its Romeo and Juliet cast, performing at the Detroit Opera House Feb. 8-11! Supernumeraries, or extras, stand on stage in costume with the dancers to fill out the scenes. Roles are simple, no dancing or experience required! ABT is looking for 63 dancers: ladies 14 […]
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Each year, Michigan Opera Theatre opens fully-staged final dress rehearsals of each opera for students. Tickets cost $10 per student, and schools are typically responsible for bus transportation. Despite the relatively low cost, many public schools have little to no arts funding, leaving thousands of children in our community with limited access to the arts. […]
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November 2017 About this production Julie Gharios – Detroit Loved the new production! Especially Minnie and the rest of the Poodles. Elaine Searle – OrionC Exquisite!!!!!!! MJ – Novi Well, I don’t think I have ever been disappointed in the Nutcracker and I’ve seen it over 20 times! I took 3 other ladies and we all […]
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Sleeping with your pajamas inside out and a spoon under your pillow to summon a snow day. Braving icy streets to hunt out houses with the wildest tableaux of twinkling lights and incandescent reindeer. Bundling up to take in America’s Thanksgiving Parade, with the much-anticipated cameo from Santa Claus at its finish, the mayor himself […]
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November 2017 The Marriage of Figaro Gail – St. Clair Shores The Opera was awesome. We have seen this show a few times, this was by far the best! Karen Harris – Sterling Heights The Marriage of Figaro was nothing short of an amazing and enjoyable experience this evening. The cast of characters had incredible voices with […]
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Modernized interpretations of The Marriage of Figaro have recast the title character as a doorman at Trump Tower, a staffer for a member of the European Parliament, a migrant worker in California. But Michigan Opera Theatre is taking a less rebellious approach with its upcoming production of Mozart’s opera about a feudal lord who feels […]
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Our Studio Spotlight series continues, showcasing our resident baritone, Harry Greenleaf! Harry is a native of Wixom and is excited to perform in his home state! He recently performed Marullo in MOT’s “Rigoletto.” He has also performed with MOT as Le Bret in David DiChiera’s “Cyrano” and as Top in “The Tender Land.” See him this […]
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American Ballet Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet at the Detroit Opera House is only a few months away, and we are proud to announce the casting slated for the lead roles! Returning are favorites Misty Copeland, Daniil Simpkin, Isabella Boylston and David Hallberg, among an overall stellar cast from the prestigious ballet company. Additionally, we are […]
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In 1976, legendary soprano Kathleen Battle made her professional operatic debut as Rosina in Michigan Opera Theatre’s production of The Barber of Seville. On Nov. 5, the world-renowned singer returns to Detroit for one performance only at the Detroit Opera House. Ahead of her recital, she shares a message about her time with MOT. A Message from Kathleen […]
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Oct. 27 marks the beginning of National Opera Week 2017, led by Honorary Chair and longtime Michigan Opera Theatre friend and performer, Denyce Graves. This year’s theme celebrates diversity within opera, and it is a value close to our heart since the founding of MOT in 1971. Our founder David DiChiera has long been a champion of […]
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On Wednesday, Oct. 25, Michigan Opera Theatre was proud to win a Knight Arts Challenge grant for “Take Me Out to the Opera“, a year-long initiative that explores the role of arts and sports in improving racial equity and inclusion. The program includes a series of educational and humanities programs that explores and celebrates the distinction […]
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October 2017 Rigoletto Jack – Ann Arbor In general it was a good production with good singing and excellent acting from the singers. Although I’d probably prefer to see Rigoletto cast as a jester rather than a bartender, I still commend MOT for the taking the risk and bringing us this well-known alternate staging. MOT has […]
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What do you most enjoy about being MOT Principal Conductor? What I enjoy most is working with CEO Wayne Brown and the staff at MOT, all of whom are excited about a new chapter and proud of their past ones. After that, I enjoy the orchestra who share the feelings of the staff. How would […]
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Overture to Opera Sunday, October 15 | 4:00 pm First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor 1432 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI Join us for a relaxed operatic experience as we explore two great war horses of opera — Verdi’s Rigoletto and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Artists from Michigan Opera Theatre will give live performances […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra Concertmaster Eliot Heaton embarks on his second complete season with MOT this October. He first performed with the orchestra during the 2016 production of The Sleeping Beauty with American Ballet Theatre, a performance he described as very special to him. “I was still in graduate school at the time,” he said. […]
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Please join us at the historic Detroit Yacht Club for a preview of the 2017-18 Michigan Opera Theatre season. MOT Studio Artists will perform operatic hits from the upcoming season as well as selections from the Silver Screen and Broadway. Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Free DYC Tour at 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. […]
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Opera Teens is a national movement that empowers teenagers to pursue their interests in opera, share opera with others, and leverage the power of the art form to serve local communities. Opera Teens will: – Attend Michigan Opera Theatre Performances – Explore careers in Opera – Connect with teens and professionals nationwide Opera Teens must commit to monthly […]
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We are excited to continue our Studio Spotlight series and introduce our 2017-18 Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artists! These up-and-coming singers come from all over the country to spend a one-to-two year residency with MOT, including master classes and performance opportunities throughout Detroit! Each month, we’ll introduce you to a new Studio Artist to learn […]
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Watch a video preview of David DiChiera’s upcoming album, David DiChiera’s Letters & Fantasies, sung by MOT soprano Angela Theis. The album is to be released August 25th on Innova Recordings.
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OperaHERE is Michigan Opera Theatre’s enrichment experience for adults, designed to make you think about opera in new and revealing ways. MOT’s resident musicologist and audience engagement coordinator Austin Stewart covers topics ranging from cultural and historical context surrounding opera, while also exploring current events through an operatic lens. Our summer 2017 OperaHERE program introduces […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Tigers have announced a year-long partnership exploring the role arts and sports have played in improving race relations. “Take Me Out to the Opera,” will include a series of community activities and culminate with MOT’s May production of “The Summer King,” an opera about Negro Leagues baseball player Josh […]
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As we prepare for our new season, we’d like to take the time to re-introduce you to our principal conductor Stephen Lord! Lord joined us in November and will be overseeing artistic matters of MOT throughout the 2018-19 season, on the cusp of our 50th anniversary! Lord collaborated with Artistic Director Emeritus David DiChiera to […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre is pleased to announce our 2017-18 Studio Artists! As part of our Michigan Opera Theatre Studio, these resident singers receive up to two years of advanced training and performance opportunities as they hone their skills through master classes and individual work with an array of world-class professionals, guest artists, and coaches. You’ll […]
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With the close of our 2016-17 season, we share our final Studio Spotlight blog featuring our tenor Joseph Michael Brent. Throughout his time in the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio, Joe has starred in Little Women as Laurie and The Tender Land as Martin. He has also held roles in The Girl of the Golden west, Silent Night, Carmen, […]
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In his career as impresario, composer, and civic leader, David DiChiera has had, and continues to have, a profound affect on many people. If you are reading this, there’s a good chance that you are among them. Michigan Opera Theatre invites you to share your personal salute to David. Steven Mercurio, conductor David is one of the […]
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May 2017 Cyrano Tickets, info Keith Otis Edwards – Dearborn THE END OF THE DROUGHT Opera lovers are painfully aware that the lyric tradition in opera has sadly withered away, if not specifically with the deaths of Puccini in 1924 or Giordano in 1948, but due to a disdain among sophisticates for music which could be […]
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May 10, 2017 – Our blog series “DiChiera DiConstructed” concludes, after four months exploring the career and legacy of our founder and artistic director, Dr. David DiChiera. We have examined his work as impresario, composer and a champion of diversity in the art. We end our series highlighting DiChiera’s work for and dedication to a city […]
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We are pleased to present Part 4 our eight-part video series, “The Making of Cyrano,” documenting the creation of David DiChiera’s grand opera, Cyrano. The Making of Cyrano, Part 4: Orchestration The Making of Cyrano, Part 3: Staging and Costumes The Making of Cyrano, Part 2: Where to stage? The […]
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April 26, 2017 – Our blog series “DiChiera DiConstructed” explores different aspects of our founder and artistic director Dr. David DiChiera as he retires to Artistic Director Emeritus in May. Every month will look back at a different aspect of the “DiChiera Legacy” and a man who dedicated his life to his art and his city. […]
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Opera at the Detroit Yacht Club Wednesday, May 10, 2017 7:00 p.m. Detroit Yacht Club 1 Riverbank Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 FREE – RSVP Required Dress code for the Detroit Yacht Club is business casual. No jeans or t-shirts, please. Artists from Michigan Opera Theatre will offer operatic hits, music from Broadway, and more!
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It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved founder and artistic director David DiChiera has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. David is and has been a driving force in the opera community and the city of Detroit, pushing the art form forward and using it to add culture to the city. […]
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Our resident bass and Michigan native Brent Michael Smith gives us a glimpse into his life as an opera singer in this month’s Studio Spotlight. After a successful run as “Ashby” in our recent production of The Girl of the Golden West, Brent looks forward to concluding his Studio Artist residency as Le Marquis de Bresaille in our May […]
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Sunday, April 30 at 4 p.m. Christ Church Cranbrook 470 Church Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 Michigan Opera Theatre and Chamber Music at the Scarab Club are pleased to present a joint concert featuring the work of MOT Founder David DiChiera. “Souvenirs of ‘Cyrano’” will celebrate the musical legacy of DiChiera as he prepares for […]
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April 2017 The Girl of the Golden West Tickets, info Rick LaDue – South Lyon Our first trip to Michigan Opera Theatre was wonderful. The opera was well performed and the music excellent. Beautiful old building. It’s been a very long time since I’ve attended an opera of any kind… but this one will likely […]
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Spring is here, and the time has come to officially announce our 2017-18 season! This will be the first season under the artistic leadership of our Principal Conductor Stephen Lord, and it features a great blend of old favorites as well as exciting new works! On the opera side, our season features three beloved classics: Verdi’s […]
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March 23, 2017 – Our blog series “DiChiera DiConstructed” explores different aspects of our founder and artistic director Dr. David DiChiera as he retires to Artistic Director Emeritus in May. Every month will look back at a different aspect of the “DiChiera Legacy” and a man who dedicated his life to his art and his city. The […]
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March 2017 About this production Jenni Thank you for a thoroughly unique, energetic, dynamic, exciting afternoon at the ballet! I had the pleasure to see A Cinderella Story today with my 12 year old daughter. We were both mezmerized from the beginning. The staging, the choreography, the fresh interpretation, the costumes and the music were a […]
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This month, meet our resident mezzo-soprano, Briana Elyse Hunter! Hailing from Pennsylvania, Briana joined the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio in the fall of 2016 and stars March 11-12 as the lead role of “Jo” in MOT’s opera Little Women, presented at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. Recently, Briana was featured 0n WRCJ’s “myTunes” segment, […]
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Little Women opens Saturday, March 11, which means this week is tech week! As we prepare for opening night, we invited our partner Phil Gilchrist, executive director of the Anton Art Center, to our recent sitzprobe to experience first-hand the rehearsal where singers and orchestra members perform together for the first time. Phil shares his experience below! […]
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March 2017 Little Women reviews Dr. Shirley Faust – Troy Loved Little Women! It was delightful, moving, and had an interesting interpretation. I love seeing the Studio Artists, and they each did a great job, but especially the lively Briana Hunter as Jo. The talk with the artists after the Opera was very interesting. I wish […]
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March 2017 INFORMATION Joyce Stearnes Thompson – Auburn Hills I thoroughly enjoyed the entire program. The integration of various dance styles was exquisite and beautiful, and I was amazed at the stamina exhibited by the dancers throughout their performances. In addition the choreography was amazing. My husband and I purchased the dance series and […]
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Screening of Little Women (1933) with Katherine Hepburn This film won one Oscar and was nominated for two others. “As vital, sympathetic and full of the joie de vivre as one could hope for, Jo, the Jo of “Little Women,” is to be seen in the person of Katharine Hepburn in the cinematic translation of […]
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Feb. 8, 2017 – We are pleased to announce the opening of our new blog series “DiChiera DiConstructed,” a monthly blog featuring different aspects of the career of our founder and artistic director Dr. David DiChiera as he transitions to Artistic Director Emeritus in May. Every month will look back at a different aspect of […]
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Our “Studio Spotlight” series continues this month with our resident soprano, Angela Theis, a Southeast Michigan native! Angela will be making her role debut as “Susanna” in Toledo Opera’s Le nozze di Figaro Feb. 10 and 12. She will also be performing the role of “Beth” in our upcoming production of Little Women March 11-12. Q: […]
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Film Screening: Little Women Thursday, February 23 at 8 p.m. Detroit Yacht Club 1 Riverbank Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 FREE – RSVP Required (form below) Please join us on Thursday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. at the historic Detroit Yacht Club for a free screening of Little Women (1933) starring Katherine Hepburn. RSVP is required. Little […]
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We are excited to announce the opening of our new blog series “Studio Spotlight,” a Q&A featuring each of our five 2016-17 Michigan Opera Theatre Studio artists. Each month, we’ll introduce you to one of our incredible resident artists to learn more about who they are, where they came from and where you can watch […]
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At Michigan Opera Theatre, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is about celebrating and recognizing the value of diversity within our community. When our founder and artistic director David DiChiera started Michigan Opera Theatre in 1971 he had a vision. His vision included building a world-class opera company that served as a cultural resource for both […]
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Another year is upon us, and we at Michigan Opera Theatre are gearing up for what promises to be a time of celebration, transition and, as always, great performances. As we continue our 2016-17 season, we are proud to honor and celebrate the legacy of our beloved Founder and Artistic Director David DiChiera. His vision, […]
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TELL US WHY YOU GIVE – Why do you support Michigan Opera Theatre year after year? What is it about Michigan Opera Theatre that holds a place in your heart? What would you say to convince someone to start supporting Michigan Opera Theatre? We’d love to know the answers to any or all of these […]
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December, 2016 | Roger Nelson What a great performance marking our Fifteenth Year. I have attended every performance since 2001 and it keeps getting better! It was really an added attraction having Suzanne Acton and Bob Christianson (Co-arranger and Orchestrator) talking about Too Hot and answering questions from the audience. The Opera House […]
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MAKE A GIFT NOW Thank you for joining Michigan Opera Theatre for our exciting 2016-2017 Opera and Dance Season! This year, we will celebrate the legacy of our extraordinary founder, Dr. David DiChiera. In his last year as Artistic Director, Dr. DiChiera has chosen a beautiful array of work, including Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning opera […]
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This December, members of the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus and Studio will be popping up around the city to spread holiday cheer through music! Traveling from museums to shops to schools to soup kitchens, our singers have one goal – to put a smile on everyone’s face. Support for this initiative comes from the Knight Detroit […]
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November 2016 About this production Stephanie W – Fenton The dancers were great. The sets could have been more extravagant. I expected a lot more “wow” factor with the decor and the choice of costumes for the dancers. It was very beautiful, but I have seen better. I still would like to congratulate everyone on a […]
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After the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to give back to the community by making a charitable contribution. This year, Michigan Opera Theatre is asking the community for their support for a specific program: bringing opera to Detroit area schools. Arts and culture are a significant part of […]
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This week we count down the days until the opening of BalletMet’s “The Nutcracker,” returning to the Detroit Opera House Thanksgiving weekend. The ballet tells the story of the young Clara and her Nutcracker-turned-prince as they journey together for a magical evening on Christmas Eve to The Land of Sweets. As a beloved holiday tradition, […]
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November, 2016 | Bev Kirk – Kenilworth, Illinois Breathtaking! Heartstopping! Poignant! Beautiful! Keith Otis Edwards – Dearborn My primary objection is that it’s really slooooowwwww. After returning from the refreshment stand (and feeling thus energized) during intermission, I leaned over the orchestra pit railing and shouted at the concert master: “HEY! HEY YOU! . . . […]
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Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and Michigan Opera Theatre have collaborated to present unique educational opportunities to medical students, young artists, and audience members. With the goal of using the performing arts to complement the innovative curriculum of of OUWB School of Medicine, Dr. David DiChiera and Dr. Robert Folberg are working to […]
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This week on Nov. 11 we celebrate Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, a day to commemorate those who served their countries in the military. Remembrance Day in particular, celebrated in Canada, England and other Commonwealth countries, recognizes the ending of World War I and is a memorial to those who died in service. The poppy […]
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Straight from the Front: First-hand Accounts of the Christmas Truce of 1914 by Austin Stewart The Christmas Truce of 1914, as the events at the center of Silent Night are popularly known, was an outbreak of peace amid the devastation of war along the industrialized battlefields of the Western Front. It is one of the […]
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Celebrate National Opera Week with Isaac Mizrahi and Michigan Opera Theatre This week is National Opera Week, a celebration of all the great things about this beautiful art form! Organized by OPERA America, this is an opportunity for fans throughout the country to share their passion for opera with others. As a fashion designer, TV […]
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Carmen, October, 2016 | Natalie – Livonia This was my first time ever seeing Carmen, it was a wonderful show! It felt as though Ginger Costa-Jackson was born to play this role. Her acting and singing was extremely impressive. Don José and Micaela’s vocal abilities blew me away! It was a great opening […]
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Film Screening: Joyeux Noël Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. Detroit Yacht Club 1 Riverbank Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 FREE – RSVP Required Please join us for a free screening of Joyeux Noël at the historic Detroit Yacht Club. The 2005 film is the basis for Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Silent Night which opens November 12 at the […]
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Where are they now? Carmen returns this season for the seventh time at Michigan Opera Theatre! But before Ginger Costa-Jackson and Sandra Piques Eddy take the stage with their vibrant interpretations, join us in looking back at past artists who’ve taken on the role in Detroit. 1977 – Brenda Boozer Our first Carmen at […]
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SOLD OUT * PRE-CARMEN WINE TASTING! Before experiencing the music and colors of southern Spain on our main stage, sample its equally passionate aromas and flavors from a goblet! Join Franco-Iberian wine expert Núria Garrote i Esteve (founder of Vino Vi & Co.), along with cast members Sandra Piques Eddy (Carmen) and Alok Kumar (Don José), for a special pre-opera […]
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During this final weekend of Carmen at the Detroit Opera House, la Feria Spanish Tapas is featuring a menu to complement our production. The Sevillian-born chef and co-owner, Pilar Barón-Hidalgo, has created a menu of southern Spanish favorites Solomillo al Pedro Jimenez (pork loin filets seared in Sherry from the southern city of Jerez), Pincho Moruno de Pollo […]
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The DiChiera Legacy Ball has been SOLD OUT. If you are interested in being placed on the waiting list, please contact Assia Likomanov at alikomanov@motopera.org. You can still participate in celebrating David DiChiera with the 2016 Opera Ball Auction. CLICK HERE to check out the fabulous items up for bid!
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Do you love opera? And sharing this love with friends? Then consider becoming a Michigan Opera Theatre Ambassador. With recognition from Opera America, the Ambassadors program is designed to empower YOU to bring people to their first opera, and to increase the presence of MOT in your community. Michigan Opera Theatre’s new Ambassadors program will […]
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Experience the beauty of great music and joys of summer with Michigan Opera Theatre’s Summer Serenade! Artists from Michigan Opera Theatre will take you on a musical journey through beloved classics from opera, Broadway, and the Silver Screen. If this page does not load properly, please CLICK HERE.
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WED., JUNE 15, 2016, 6:00PM Let Michigan Opera Theatre artists serenade you under the stars. Food, drinks, a silent auction, and a gorgeous evening view of downtown Detroit from our fabulous Sky Deck. The Detroit Opera House Sky Deck was voted one of “Detroit’s Three Best Rooftop Venues” by the Michigan Meetings and Events Organization. […]
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The Magic Flute, May 2016 Learn more about The Magic Flute John Treba – Troy Everything about the Opera was fabulous….costuming, sets and players. My only negative was that the speaking volume was too low. The singing volume was perfect but conversation was impossible to understand for most of the production. Eleanor – Harrison Twp. […]
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An Opera for the Whole Family! Sung in English (with some chirping from the birds) Sunday, May 22, 2016 Events begin at 1:00 pm Performance begins at 2:30 pm Activities include: – Learn about The Magic Flute at story time with Papageno – Create crowns, feather caps, and scepters with Arts and Scraps – Follow […]
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The Magic Flute, May 14-22, tickets and info What Happened Before Tamino’s Entrance? Before the curtain goes up, we should try to imagine the world of The Magic Flute — a world situated between the sun and the moon, where a great saga is already underway. The King of the Night has died, leaving his […]
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Macbeth, April 2016 Learn more about Macbeth Karen – Ortonville It was dark. It was rich. It was relentless. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Well done cast and crew! Eleanor Meyers – Harrison Twp. Now that’s Opera! Superb! Verdi’s music, combined with wonderful voices, created an outstanding production. Dr. Shirley Faust – Troy Fabulous!!! Beautiful […]
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20th Anniversary Celebration of the Restoration and Re-Opening of the Detroit Opera House! Sunday April 17, 2016 1:00 to 4:00 pm All tours are filled. Bring the entire family for a complimentary afternoon of fun! Exclusive costume exhibit History displays Help us celebrate two other iconic birthdays, with free samples of Sanders Bumpy Cake (100 […]
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March-April 2016 INFORMATION ON THE SLEEPING BEAUTY “ABT’s lavish ‘Sleeping Beauty’ wows Opera House crowd” -David Lyman, Detroit Free Press Gregory Bator – Royal Oak Simply exquisite! This was a feast for eyes and ears! Go figure I stayed awake the entire performance too! Mary – Atlanta, Georgia Attended with my 10 year […]
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In a day and age when we expect cutting-edge computer-generated imagery in our entertainment, it’s hard to imagine the theaters Giuseppe Verdi knew, illuminated by gas lamps instead of electricity, with scenery operated by ropes and pulleys instead of motorized winches. Verdi’s stage crafters relied on smoke and mirrors, lanterns, fine silk scrims, and meticulously […]
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Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 pm The Carr Center | 311 E. Grand River, Detroit FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Attending “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Detroit Opera House? Learn more about the production with this FREE lecture, “Re-Awakening Sleeping Beauty: The Lively Debate over Alexei Ratmansky’s New Production” by Tim Scholl, Professor of […]
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The Tender Land, March 2016 Learn more about The Tender Land Tom Seubert – Roseville Overall, a good production. Macomb Center helped pull off a good show. It is worth seeing, and it was vintage Aaron Copland. The only downer is the plot: at the end it becomes clear why this is not […]
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Since the very beginning, Michigan Opera Theatre has been committed to performing contemporary works by American composers. David DiChiera called upon Aaron Copland to conduct his only full-length opera The Tender Land to open the first Matrix Festival in Midland. The dancer Eugene Loring was also brought on to choreograph the production. Loring and Copland […]
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Valentine’s Day Dinner and Concert Sunday, February 14, 2016 Dinner 5:30 p.m., concert 7:00 p.m. Grosse Pointe War Memorial 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms The artists of Michigan Opera Theatre Studio visits the Grosse Pointe War Memorial for a romantic evening of beautiful music and gourmet cuisine in the elegant lakefront ballroom. For […]
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January 2016 INFORMATION Steve & Jan – Livonia The dance show was wonderful. We especially enjoyed the Bollero Revisited dance. Janice Chirio – Commerce I might be bias, as Lindsay is my daughter, but every time I watch their performances, they just look better and better. The dancers all compliment each other very nicely!! […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre is pleased to invite choral students, teachers, and groups to attend its production of The Tender Land, featuring Aaron Copland’s beloved choral work “The Promise of Living” as it was originally heard! Receive 25% off all seats with Promo Code: PART25! Students & Seniors can also attend dress rehearsals for $10 and […]
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Too Hot to Handel, November 2015 INFORMATION Eboni – Detroit It was AWESOME! The orchestra, choir, singers and conductor were great. The different styles of music would reach all audiences of every age. This was my first time seeing Too Hot to Handle. I was supposed to take my dad but he had to […]
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The Passenger, November 2015 TICKETS, INFORMATION John Toth – Brighton Twp Powerful, moving and thought provoking. Debi Bernstein-Siegel – Bloomfield Hills Extremely powerful work. I am so glad that this production was seen in Detroit. The set was amazing. It became its own character. The entire cast was amazing. Bravo to MOT […]
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Food Drive Before and After Every Performance of The Passenger Bring non-perishable food items to donate to one of four local food banks when you attend a performance of The Passenger. Your Impact: $1 = 10 meals For every dollar donated, this network of food banks secures and distributes 10 meals to adults and children […]
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Rob Kearley is revival director of Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s Holocaust-themed opera, The Passenger, which runs November 14-22 at the Detroit Opera House. Why is this opera important for 21st century audiences? The Passenger is unique in operatic terms in that the story and the music are written by those directly affected by these events. Zofia Posmysch [author of […]
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The Passenger: Art and Medicine Oakland University, Oakland Center Banquet Rooms Nov 11, 4:00PM – 6:00PM Light refreshments. Presented by Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and Michigan Opera Theatre. Ocean of Pearls (film) The Community House – 380 South Bates, Birmingham Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 PM Free Admission Amrit Singh is […]
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Learn more about LA BOHEME Karen & John – Northville First time for us. Impassioned performance. Tear jerker. We really enjoyed it. Lina – Ann Arbor It was wonderful! Nicole Cabell was amazing as Mimi-such a beautiful voice and it seemed so effortless. The sets and costumes were impressive as well. […]
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Enter a Divine Land. January 1-3, 2016, at the Detroit Opera House. There was a time when the world was full of magic and splendor, as if all on Earth existed in harmony with Heaven. You could see it in the arts, feel it in the air, and hear it in the beat of a […]
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Opera Ball Gala Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $750 per person Chaired by Joanne Danto Online auction – Opera Ball Gala Online Auction Young Patron Event at 7:30 p.m. on the box level (for ages 21-50) Tickets: $100 per person Limited visibility of the evening’s presentation Purchase Tickets Please contact Stephani Yates at […]
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By Michael Yashinsky When the curtain rises on The Passenger, Soviet-Jewish composer Mieczysław Weinberg’s memory opera of the Holocaust, a former Nazi guard at Auschwitz and her husband are en route to a new life in Brazil. The man sings jubilantly, piercing the sea air with his tenor: “Das Ufer in der Ferne ist nicht […]
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Detroit is one of only a handful of worldwide cities to host this production. Other stops have included Costa Mesa, California – New York City – Washington D.C. La Scala performed the same production in Milan, Italy and Paris, France. The presentation of The Sleeping Beauty at The Detroit Opera House is a co-production of […]
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A variety of holiday activities at the Detroit Opera House make The Nutcracker a family outing that children and adults cherish for years to come. Family matinees include: Live reindeer on Broadway Street Photos with Santa and the Nutcracker (Santa arrives at 12:30PM) Join the Sugar Plum Parade on stage following the performance Holiday-themed crafts courtesy of Arts & […]
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The Detroit Opera House Sky Deck officially opens June 12! Mark your calendars, the Detroit Opera House Sky Deck has new improvements for Summer 2015! Located in the heart of downtown Detroit, the Detroit Opera House Sky Deck is the perfect place to watch the excitement of a Tiger’s game, enjoy amazing views of the […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre will present three outdoor performances of selections from opera and Broadway, July 21-23, 2015. The series kicks off with a free performance from artists of MOT’s Department of Community Programs and soprano Angela Theis, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. The next evening, Wednesday, July […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre’s Arthur White, audience engagement coordinator, represented the company at Opera America Conference 2015, held in Washington, D.C. MOT was invited to showcase its Opera Club program developed by White. This grassroots approach to audience development is a model for other arts organizations. White created 14 opera clubs, each in a different community throughout […]
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Pictured to the right are Frida cast members celebrating a spectacular performance! Here’s what Yolanda Sandor of Farmington Hills had to say about Frida: Catalina Cuervo beautifully voiced Frida with her rich soprano an excellent diction. Catalina brought you into the opera and you felt Frida’s presence in regards to her love and sufferings. Her […]
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Michigan Opera Theatre audiences last saw the work of Australian choreographer Stanton Welch when the Joffrey Ballet performed his Son of Chamber Symphony (2012), to the music of John Adams, in its appearance on our stage in March of 2014. For that unconventional piece, Welch had said he sought to “show the seams” of movement that ballet tends to […]
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One of the singers who is waltzing and warbling beside world-famous American soprano Deborah Voigt in The Merry Widow spoke of his delight in working with her, gushing, “She’s such a human being.” The news seems unsurprising—we are yet to discover any other species that can sing opera. Perhaps it is not so obvious, though, […]
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Love kills. So sang Elektra (“Liebe tötet!”), the last Diva to be Exposed on our Detroit stage, shortly before she succumbed to that phenomenon. Besides being an apt summary of all tragic opera, we hear the exact phrase—in its negative form— uttered in the first act of Madame Butterfly. Alone together on the night of their […]
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For a businessperson, Matthew Simoncini certainly talks a lot about the “heart” and the “soul.” But then, there is more to a “businessperson” than business. For Mr. Simoncini, President and CEO of the Southfield-headquartered Lear Corporation, it is also about being a person, a help to one’s fellow people, a participant in humanity and all […]
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