Contact:Gretchen Miller Basso
Public Relations Director
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Phone: 407/896-6700 x 223
Fax: 407/896-5512
gmiller@orlandophil.org
www.orlandophil.org
(Orlando, FL – August 12, 2009) – Thanks to generous contributions from the Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, United Arts of Central Florida, Darden Restaurants, The Community Foundation and individual donors from the community, The Board of Directors of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra proudly announces that the Orlando Philharmonic will produce two concert operas in the 2009-2010 season, Carmen and Porgy and Bess.
With the demise of Orlando Opera earlier this year, the Philharmonic recognized the importance of keeping opera as an art form alive in the Central Florida community. The goal of the Philharmonic is to be “caretaker” of the art form for locally produced opera through the presentation of semi-staged concert opera. The Philharmonic intends to lead this effort for on a temporary basis only, ceding its opera organization to a new and independent opera company within 3 – 5 years, with the firm intention that a new opera company will be in place for the opening of the Orlando Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center.
Quote from David Schillhammer
The Philharmonic begins its concert opera season with Carmen, presented on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 PM at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, 401 W. Livingston Street, Orlando. At its premiere, Carmen, written by Georges Bizet, shocked and thrilled audiences. With its seductive tale of the irresistible gypsy woman who drives men to extremes, this opera has enchanted generations of music lovers with its passion, drama and action. “Free I will live, and free I will die!” exclaims our heroine; the eponymous Carmen, a beautiful gypsy with a fiery temper. Audiences are sure to enjoy the Philharmonic’s production of Carmen, one of the most beloved operas of all time.
The second Philharmonic concert opera is Porgy and Bess, George Gershwin’s American masterpiece that tells the poignant story of a crippled beggar, the headstrong woman he loves, and the community that sustains them both. Porgy and Bess is presented on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 11 at 2:00 PM at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. This successful blend of classical music, popular song, jazz, blues and spirituals boasts the acclaimed songs “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” The Philharmonic performs this opera in collaboration with the “Negro Spiritual” Scholarship Foundation.
Unlike traditional opera, the Philharmonic’s opera performances are described as Semi-Staged Concert Opera. The key difference between these productions and fully staged opera is that the orchestra performs on stage rather than in the orchestra pit. Generally, the chorus sits on risers behind the orchestra in a traditional concert placement. This places greater emphasis on the musical expression of the drama rather than on sets, costumes, and movement. As a musical organization, this fits the Philharmonic’s mission completely. Without all of the set and costume elements, audiences are more likely to focus on and enjoy the music. In all other respects, the singers come on and off stage and interact in the same way they do in a fully staged production. Lighting plays an even more crucial role in these productions than it does in traditional opera stagings because it is the primary agent for creating mood and establishing spatial relationships.
Subscriptions to the Philharmonic’s Opera Series go on sale September 23, 2009. Subscription prices are $140, $108, $81, $56 and $28 for a two-concert subscription. To order your subscription and for additional information, phone 407-770-0071 or visit the Philharmonic’s website at www.OrlandoPhil.org.
The Orlando Philharmonic is proud to carry on the tradition of opera in Central Florida. We hope that you will join and support us as we begin our endeavor into the world of opera!
