What's new with the Sacramento Opera | September 15, 2008
Photo: Sacramento Opera/Eleakis Photography
Bid on a fabulous Arias, Overtures, & Arabesques experience
The
bidding starts at $.99 for two tickets to the "Arias, Overtures, &
Arabesques" concert on September 21 and an invitation for two people to
meet the artists at a backstage reception following the concert. Click here to visit our listing on Ebay. Hurry, the bidding closes on Thursday afternoon.
Calling all Sacramento Opera fans
Our Sacramento Opera Facebook group is growing everyday. Join us on Facebook
and meet fellow Sacramento Opera fans, learn about upcoming events,
view photos, videos, and stories about us. Feel free to post and be
sure to invite your friends!
Sacramento Opera Tagline Survey
In order to better spread the
word about who we are and what we do, the Sacramento Opera is in search
of that close to perfect tagline. Take our online survey by clicking here. Thank you for your feedback!
Being Timm Rolek: In conversation with our Artistic Director
How did you get interested in conducting and where did you study?
I studied composition with
Dominick Argento at the University of Minnesota, and I guess my
interest in conducting was a natural offspring of learning how music is
organized from the composer's viewpoint, so while I was a student at
the University of Minnesota I also began an apprenticeship with the
Minnesota Orchestra under Neville Marriner and Klaus Tennstedt.
What's one of your favorite memories of your early conducting days?
My first day at Minnesota
Orchestra was also Neville's first as Music Director, and they were
working on Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. He stopped and asked the
violins to change the way they bowed a phrase, so the players took
their pencils and started to erase the old marks and put in the new and
while this was going on, Neville said with his proper British accent,
Musicians not only need good pencils, they also need good
rubbers. The whole orchestra broke into laughter and he had no idea
why until the concertmaster whispered to him what he really said in
proper American English.
What sparked your interest in opera?
A couple of things happened
when I was a student. First, the MET spent a week each May in
Minneapolis and they would hire music students as supers, so I got my
first look behind the scenes with this company. Second, all the
cute girls at the music school sang in the University opera program, so
I joined the chorus. After my first year the head of the program
asked if I would be interested in conducting the American premiere of
an opera by Ernst Krenek, for he knew I was studying composition at the
school and conducting with Minnesota Orchestra.
What are some challenges to conducting an opera?
I think the biggest challenge
is being prepared for anything that can happen that you have no control
over. Good conductors not only know what is happening in the
moment but also have an eye on what's coming ahead. Opera
performances are filled with unexpected surprises that can't be
anticipated, such as mistimed lighting or other technical cues, or a
singer's difficulty with a costume, set, or even a misplaced breath.
We can rehearse all we want, but with so much going on in a performance
besides the music there are many opportunities for trouble, so in
addition to being musically present now and in the future, opera
conductors need to be both quick and flexible in responding to the
needs of the stage.
Any
particular piece of music you are most looking forward to performing in
the "Arias, Overtures, & Arabesques" concert on September 21?
The Pilgrims Hymn by Stephen
Paulus. I've known Stephen since my student days at the University of
Minnesota, and this is a wonderful work of beauty and simplicity.
Photo: Kent Lacin
Arias, Overtures, & Arabesques: Sunday, September 21 at 2 pm
Our intern, Megan Redmond (who you'll see in the lobby welcoming patrons), is featured in the Bee.
Listen to Insight on KXJZ on Friday, September 19 at 2 pm, and get to know baritone Nicolai Janitzky and composer William MacSems. Both artists will be featured in "Arias, Overtures, & Arabesques."
This not-to-be-missed concert showcases soprano Korliss Uecker, mezzo-soprano Dana Beth Miller, tenor Thomas Truhitte, baritone Nicolai Janitzky, the Sacramento Opera Chorus, the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sacramento Ballet,
and choreography by Ron Cunningham, Artistic Director of the Sacramento
Ballet. Sacramento Opera Artistic Director, Timm Rolek; Sacramento
Philharmonic Music Director, Michael Morgan; and Sacramento
Philharmonic Assistant Conductor, Ming Luke, conduct.
Tickets are $22 to $87. Contact the Sacramento Community Center Theater Box Office, 916.808.5181;
Get your opera
fix right here in Sacramento. Single tickets for all Sacramento Opera
performances of "Arias, Overtures, & Arabesques," The Pirates of Penzance, The Marriage of Figaro, and La Bohème are on sale through the Sacramento Community Center Theater Box Office. Call 916.808.5181; visit 1301 L Street, Sacramento; or click www.tickets.com. Single tickets $15 to $115. The best seats are going fast!
To Purchase Online
To Purchase by Phone:
916.808.5181
Like eating?
Did
you know that about half of our audience members dine out before or
after Sacramento Opera performances? To make your experience even more
enjoyable, several area restaurants have generously offered special
promotions for Sacramento Opera patrons only. Bon appetit!
4th Street Grille, 400 L Street, Sacramento 916.448.2847. www.4thstreetgrille.com Receive
complimentary parking behind the restaurant (validation from server
needed) and a complimentary appetizer (chef's choice). Simply present
your server with a Sacramento Opera 2008-2009 performance ticket the
day of show to receive promotion.
Bistro 33 Midtown, 1020 16th Street, Sacramento 916.233.3633. www.bistro33.com
Purchase
one entree and receive a second complimentary entree of equal or lesser
value. This offer is valid on Opera Talk nights and through the
duration of each Sacramento Opera production. Simply present your
server with a Sacramento Opera ticket to receive your promotion.
Located on the corner of 16th and K streets, our kitchen is open until
2 am, Sun-Wed and 3 am, Thurs-Sat.
The Firehouse, 1112 Second Street, Old Sacramento 916.442.4772. www.firehouseoldsac.com
For
the 2008-09 Sacramento Opera season, purchase 1 entree and get your
2nd entree (of equal or lesser value) free. Patron must show opera
ticket when ordering. Valid day of opera performance only. No
exceptions. Limit 1 promotion per person. Does not include special
events, private parties, or holidays. Not valid with any other offer.
Reservations recommended. Valet parking available.
Masons, 1116 15th Street, Sacramento 916.492.1948. www.theparkdowntown.com
$35
Pre-fix menu (three courses) with complimentary wine pairing per
course. Complimentary valet one block from the theater also included.
Sacramento Opera promotion must be noted in reservation if booking
online at OpenTable.com or must be mentioned to the hostess if booked
directly with Masons. A guest's decline of the wine pairing will
not result in a reduction of the menu cost. Offer good on show days
only during normal dinner hours.
McCormick & Schmicks, 1111 J Street, Sacramento 916.442.8200. www.mccormickandschmicks.com 20%
off food billing after 4 pm. Simply present your server with a
Sacramento Opera 2008-2009 performance ticket the day of show to
receive promotion.
The Melting Pot, 814 15th St, Sacramento 916.443.2DIP (2347). www.meltingpot.com
Receive
a complimentary chocolate fondue dessert for two with a minimum
purchase of two entrees. Reservations required. Please call
916.443.2DIP. Specify Sacramento Opera
promotion. Present your server with a Sacramento Opera ticket for
promotion. Not valid on Sunday, May 10, 2009. Not valid with any other
offer.
Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar Love
sushi? Love opera? When you join the Mikuni Koki Club Frequent Diner
Program, you can accumulate points for dining at any of their
restaurants. Points can be redeemed for a wide variety of valuable
merchandise such as two tickets in Section C to any Friday or Tuesday
evening Sacramento Opera 2007-2008 season production! Mikuni Sushi
restaurants are located in Fair Oaks, Midtown, Roseville, Elk Grove,
and Arden Fair. For more information, visit www.mikunisushi.com.
Pyramid, 1029 K Street, Sacramento 916.498.9800. www.pyramidbrew.com 15%
off bill. Simply present your server with a Sacramento Opera 2008-2009
performance ticket the day of show to receive promotion.
Sofia, 815 11th Street, Sacramento 916.558.1580. www.restaurantsofia.com
Buy
one entree and get the second one half off at equal or less value.
Dinner only. Simply present your server with a Sacramento Opera
2008-2009 performance ticket the day of show to receive promotion.
The
Sacramento Opera 2008-2009 Season Corporate Sponsor: James Irvine
Foundation; Raley's Family of Fine Stores; Sacramento
Metropolitan Arts Commission; Season Individual Sponsor: Barbara K.
Jackson.
The mission of the Sacramento Opera (a nonprofit
organization) is to produce outstanding opera, to develop and cultivate
a wider public interest in opera and its allied arts, and to further
music education in the region.
