Opera in Boston -- the Conservatory and Institute Scene --
wonderful music at modest prices

 

We've been enjoying the conservatory opera productions for a long time and spreading the word about productions at times. This is the second year I'm putting the schedule for several groups here so that we can send links and have a spot for reference. Note that conservatory productions are often double cast, so you could see the same show twice and have fun comparing the lead singers. Here's a summary of the the 2009/2010 season-- with some details TBA.

BU Opera Institute

This institute was founded by Phyllis Curtin and continues under the directorship of Sharon Daniels. Participants, usually recent conservatory graduates, are supported in a two year program designed to give lots of stage time to people beginning a career in opera. A fall "Fringe Festival" presents short, infrequently seen, operas in a black box setting (Studio 210 right next door to the BU Theater on Huntington Ave.). In winter and spring there are full productions on the BU Theater main stage.
Tickets are handled through bostontheaterscene.com.

BU Fall Fringe Festival -- combines opera and drama offerings -- often on a unifying theme -- watch out -- the times are irregular.
Merryman -- Antigone -- This 1986 opera features a new libretto by composer Marjorie Merryman
  Sat 10/17/2009 6:30
  Sun 10/18/2009 7:00
  Fri 10/23/2009 8:00
  Sun 10/25/2009 7:00
William Bolcom -- Lucrezia
  Sat 10/24/2009 6:30
  Sun 10/25/2009 2:00
  Fri 10/30/2009 8:00
  Sat 10/31/2009 6:00
Extras "Recital Meets Opera" on Sunday afternoon, November 1, at 2 p.m.
Winter and Spring "Mainstage" Productions
Mozart -- Cosi Fan Tutti
  Thurs 2/18/2010 7:30
  Fri 2/19/2010 7:30
  Sat 2/20/2010 7:30
  Sun 2/21/2010 2:00
Carlisle Floyd -- Susannah
  Thurs 4/15/2010 7:30
  Fri 4/16/2010 7:30
  Sat 4/17/2010 7:30
  Sun 4/18/2010 2:00
Extras Musical Theater: Sondheim's "Merrilly We Roll Along" on the Huntington Theater main stage, April 28 through May 2, 2010.

Boston Conservatory has been strengthening its opera program in recent years. Also worth paying attention to are the musical theater offerings from Boston Conservatory -- their combination of voice, orchestra and dance programs makes for really fine productions. While the conservatory's performance spaces are undergoing rennovation, most performances (including the operas noted below) are being moved to Midway Studios at 15 Channel Center St. in South Boston. (Check here for info on buying tickets and here for directions to Midway Studios.)

Puccini -- La Rondine
  Thurs 2/4/2010 8:00
  Fri 2/5/2010 8:00
  Sat 2/6/2010 8:00
  Sun 2/7/2010 2:00
Bellini -- I Capuletti e Montechi
  Thurs 4/1/2010 8:00
  Fri 4/2/2010 8:00
  Sat 4/3/2010 8:00
  Sun 4/4/2010 2:00
Extras NB Boston Conservatory performs several orchestral concerts in Harvard's Sanders Theater each year and they are well worth looking out for -- dates:
Musicals: "Sweet Charity" October 21-25 and "Rent" March 3-7. With its combination of vocal, orchestral, dance and theater programs, Boston Conservatory shines in its presentations of musicals.

New England Conservatory uses the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston's theater district for its opera performances. What they'll be doing in full this year has not yet been announced, but the dates have been set for the winter performances. (Tickets for performances at the Cutler Majestic are handled through the Majestic box office.)

  Friday- Sunday -- December 4, 5, 6 (Sunday likely a matinee at two)
  Friday-Sunday -- March 12, 13, 14 (again, Sunday likely as matinee)

Also keep an eye out for

  • Longy Conservatory doing opera in the Cambridge area -- no theater, so productions are necessarily less formal but the singing is fine.
  • Lowell House Opera at Harvard has a long tradition of staging opera with a light touch in the Lowell House dining hall. Productions include full orchestra and the cast is gathered via open auditions attracting a good mix of Harvard and conservatory students.

Links to Boston's Professional Opera Groups

  • Boston Baroque is performing opera too! Handel's Amadigi on October 16 and 17 and Mozart's Bastien & Bastienne along with Cimarosa's The Music Director on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
  • Boston Lyric Opera performs at the Schubert Theater
  • Opera Boston performs at the Emerson Cutler Majestic
  • Longwood Opera -- opera on a shoestring with particular emphasis on outreach to schools
  • Boston Opera Collaborative is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging artists — including singers, directors, conductors, and theater technicians — to bridge the gap between higher education and a career in the arts.
  • Teatro Lirico d'Europa -- Not a local company but one that makes very frequent visits to Boston and also performs at the Emerson Cutler Majestic
  • Adam Boyles, new Orchestra Director at MIT, is conducting the Weston Opera Fest this spring.