| Tom Littman Concert Manager 2237 Alice Pratt Brown Hall 713-348-4933 littman@rice.edu |
 |
| Unless otherwise noted, admission to all events is free and tickets are not required. Programs are subject to change without notice. For information, call the Shepherd School Concert Office at 713-348-8000. |
 |
 |
 |
THE SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT RICE UNIVERSITY Simulcast will take place Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. CST;  “We at the Shepherd School of Music are delighted to participate in this exciting undertaking with Washington National Opera, which will allow students and opera fans throughout the city of Houston to experience this live production of La Bohème from our nation’s capital,” said Dr. Robert Yekovich, Dean of the Shepherd School of Music. “We hope that reaching out in this way will expose new audiences to the thrill of opera, and inspire younger generations to be supportive of the art form in their own communities.”“What a wonderful way to draw younger audiences to opera with this innovative new production of La Bohème from Polish director Mariusz Treliński!” said Plácido Domingo, General Director of Washington National Opera. “We are so happy to present this simulcast free not only to our school partners across the country, but also to anyone in the Washington, D.C. region who wants a taste of top quality opera – for free – at the Washington Monument on the National Mall.” Prior to the simulcast, WNO will share educational materials with the schools on three topics. One area of discussion is: Bohéme: How It Transcends Medium. This will examine the evolution of the work from book to opera, musical theatre (Rent and Baz Lurhman’s recent Broadway production) and film. Special focus will be paid to Trelinski’s approach to his new contemporary production for WNO. Second is “Where are the Bohemians?” This is an examination of the social issues that arise in the work and how they remain relevant to audiences over time. This will help make the themes of opera more personal to audiences. Third, is the Opera Forum with WNO’s young artists, directors and conductors on the practical needs of developing a professional opera career. An online message board gives students around the country a place to pose questions or get information from WNO staff and key educators at participating institutions. “With this initiative, Washington National Opera dramatically expands our pledge to bring opera to the nation and the next generation,” said Kenneth Feinberg, President of Washington National Opera. “We are excited to use simulcast technology to give the gift of opera to the American public in a way that has never been done before.” Trelinski’s La Bohème, from Teatr Wielki National Opera Warsaw, is a fitting modern-day take on the timeless opera. Set in the present day, Rodolfo is a photographer and part of a contemporary group of artists searching for their identity and longing for a deeper and more profound connection with society. The opera is a human drama of loss and love, as the characters struggle with their careers and to truly connect with each other in a world that is increasingly connected technologically. As such, the opera’s theme will resonate with younger audiences. Washington National Opera is currently working with the following schools to present simulcasts of La Bohème on September 23: Ainsworth High School, (Ainsworth, NE), Brockton High School (Brockton, MA), Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA), Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (Birmingham, AL) Duke University (Durham, NC), Hinsdale High School (Hinsdale, IL), Lowell High School (San Francisco, CA), New York University (New York, NY), Ohio University (Athens, OH), Princeton University (Princeton, NJ), Rice University (Houston, TX), Temple University (Philadelphia, PA), The Mary Louis Academy (Jamaica, NY), Thomas S. Keenan School for the Arts, (Winston Salem, NC), Tulane University (New Orleans, LA), Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, Prizery (South Boston, VA), Union College (Schenectady, NY), U.S. Military Academy at West Point (West Point, NY), University of Alabama (Huntsville, AL), University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR), University of Colorado (Boulder, CO), University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA), University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC), University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK), University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA), University of Montana (Missoula, MT), University of Richmond (Richmond, VA), University of Washington (Seattle, WA), and Wellesley College (Wellesley, MA).Location and Ticket Information The Shepherd School of Music Rice University Alice Pratt Brown Hall Entrance 8 (Rice Boulevard) or Entrance 18 (University Boulevard) Tickets are free, but reservations are required Call 713-348-8000 to reserve tickets in advance
|
|
