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 year I'm going to try 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 2008/2009 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 and your best bet may be a "double header".
Bernstein -- Trouble in Tahiti
  Sat 10/18/2008 6:30
  Sun 10/19/2008 7:30
  Fri 10/24/2008 8:00
  Sun 10/26/2008 7:00
  Fri 10/31/2008

6:00
  Sat 11/01/2008 8:00
Jorge Martin -- Tobermory -- a great comic piece -- what would happen if your pet cat could talk and share all he's been hearing over the years?
  Sat 10/25/2008 6:30
  Sun 10/26/2008 2:00
  Fri 10/31/2008 8:00
  Sat 11/01/2008 6:00
Winter and Spring "Mainstage" Productions
Picker -- Therese Raquin
  Thurs 2/19/2009 7:30
  Fri 2/20/2009 7:30
  Sat 2/21/2009 7:30
  Sun 2/22/2009 2:00
Donizetti -- Lucia de Lammermoor
  Thurs 4/16/2009 7:30
  Fri 4/17/2009 7:30
  Sat 4/18/2009 7:30
  Sun 4/19/2009 2:00

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. The conservatory has a good theater on Hemmenway -- for a number of years New England Conservatory and Boston Conservatory did joint productions in the Hemmenway Ave Theater. (Check here for info on buying tickets)

Massenet -- Cendrillon (Cinderella)
  Thurs 2/5/2009 8:00 -- uncertain of exact times, check the website
  Fri 2/6/2009 8:00
  Sat 2/7/2009 8:00
  Sun 2/8/2009 2:00
Handel -- Serce
  Thurs 4/2/2009 8:00
  Fri 4/3/2009 8:00
  Sat 4/4/2009 8:00
  Sun 4/5/2009 2:00
NB Boston Conservatory has begun doing several orchestral concerts in Harvard's Sanders Theater each year and they are well worth looking out for.

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.)

  Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro"
Friday- Sunday -- Dec 5, 6, 7 (Sunday likely a matinee at two)
  Double Bill: Bernstein's "Trouble in Tahiti" and Menotti's "The Medium"
Friday-Sunday -- Feb 20, 21, 22 (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 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