Bryan Hymel, singing Pinkerton in the upcoming New Orleans Opera production of Madame Butterfly, has been named the recipient of the eighth annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera. The $50,000 award, the largest of its kind in the United States, is designated for extraordinarily gifted singers between the ages of 25 and 40 who have already appeared in featured solo roles at the Met. Bryan was presented with the award at the Met March 25 by Muffy Greenough, daughter of Beverly Sills.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the Beverly Sills Artist Award. I have always admired Ms. Sills’ unparalleled performing career, consummate artistry, and exceptionally giving and successful work in arts administration, and I am grateful to be associated with such an extraordinary legacy,” Bryan said. “Her commanding vocalism and grace onstage were an inspiration for me in my unexpected Met debut this year. I offer sincere thanks to the Agnes Varis Trust, Peter Gelb, and the talented staff of the Metropolitan Opera.”

The Sills Award was created to help further recipients’ careers, including funding for voice lessons, vocal coaching, language lessons, related travel costs, and other professional assistance. Sills, who died in 2007, was well known as a supporter and friend to developing young artists, and this award continues her legacy as an advocate for rising singers. The 33-year-old American tenor is the eighth recipient of the award, following baritone Nathan Gunn in 2006, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato in 2007, tenor Matthew Polenzani in 2008, bass John Relyea in 2009, soprano Susanna Phillips in 2010, mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard in 2011, and soprano Angela Meade in 2012.

Earlier this season Bryan made his Met debut, singing the demanding role of Aeneas in a rare revival of Berlioz’s epic Les Troyens. Bryan’s performances, which were also transmitted worldwide as part of the Met’s Live in HD series, were met with great acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. The New Orleans-born tenor will return to the Met in January 2014 to sing the role of Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

The New Orleans Opera Association is looking for Men and Women to be extras (supernumeraries) in our upcoming season. You can pick one show or all three.

Requirements:

1. A rehearsal commitment:

-Just a few evenings from Mondays – Fridays for blocking.

-Evenings during Tech Week

2. Attendance at each Performance (Fridays and Sundays).

3. A desire to wear period costumes and be in a world class opera in the nation’s First City of Opera!

There will be no singing or speaking required for this experience, your job will be creating the “world” of the opera.

Interested individuals should contact the Opera’s Director of Production, Chris Adams, at cadams@neworleansopera.org. Please include a photo of yourself if available and all contact information and potential conflicts. Don’t hesitate! This is fun! A chance to be in an opera and build your professional resume!

We hope you will do this for the experience as we like to engage community involvement but we will provide a $50 Honorarium to all participants as a show of appreciation.

We are seeking Supernumeraries who can juggle or perform circus acrobatics (tumbling, balancing acts, etc.)

Contact Lee Marc Molnar, Director of Production at lmmolnar@neworleansopera.org for more information.

There is a small stipend involved.

Come be a part of the magic of Opera!

Opera for Beginners

by Constance Cowart

If black ties and formal evening gowns appear in your head on the mention of the word “opera,” then chances are, you’re not familiar with this misunderstood and intimidating, yet beautiful and captivating art form.

If you’ve read thus far, chances are you’re willing to give opera a chance, and I’m delighted to lead you there!

First, the basics. What is opera?

Simply, an opera is a performance in which singers – wonderful, fabulous, beautiful singers – tell a story accompanied by an orchestra with scenery – wonderful, fabulous, beautiful scenery – acting, costumes and sometimes dance. People from all walks of life enjoy this unique and inspiring form of entertainment. Although opera is often erroneously associated with the upper echelon of society, it does not require a college degree to appreciate. It doesn’t matter whether you have a Ph.D. or a grammar school education. Chances are, if you’re willing to buy a ticket to the opera, you’re bound for the deep emotions and immense enjoyment opera provides.  (more)

Saks Fifth Avenue invited all hat lovers to attend a Valentines Day champagne reception and Mad Hatter’s Hat Party in the Millinery department on the first floor of Saks.

Louise Green, well know millinery designer, featured her whimsical fashions.

A special thanks to Frank Stansbury for his photos of this fun event!

Brian Morgan – WYES / Steppin’ Out

Ian Hoch - NOLADefender.Com

Theodore P. Mahne -  Times-Picayune

Watch a clip from the performance.

From an article by Chris Waddington  with the Times Picayune.

The program included “Pari siamo” from Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi, “Wie Todesahnung Dämm’rung deckt die Lande…O du mein holder Abendstern” from Tannhäuser by Richard Wagner,  “Oh what a beautiful morning” from Oklahoma by Rogers & Hammerstein II, “Der Lindenbaum” from Die Winterreise by Franz Schubert, “Experiment” from Nymph Errant by Cole Porter, and “Votre toast je peux le rendre” (Toreador Song) from Carmen by George Bizet.

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Come join Alice, The Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and the Rabbit – all from Alice in Wonderland – at this year’s luncheon themed “Alice.” The characters will be filled by Penny Baumer, Dr. Victor Chisesi Louana DeMatteo, Andre de la Barre, and for the first time this year Alice, will have a petite replica filled by Sarah Buckley, the daughter of Diane Buckley.

A fashion show of The Saint John Collection will be presented by SAKS Fifth Avenue. There will also be a celebrity hat judging contest with Mrs. Tom (Gayle) Benson, Margarita Bergen, Carolyn Elder, Rene Fransen, Angela Hill, George Schmidt, and Jude Swenson as the judges.

Additionally, there will be a celebrity hat auction, a silent auction, and a raffle with a chance to win a $1,000 Saks Gift Card plus a personal shopper at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC; Three night week-end stay at the Marriott Marquis Hotel at Times Square and American Airline (2) tickets. Tickets $25 each 5/$100 and can be purchased from Laura Cowser at 985-445-5208.

The decorations will tie into the theme and include lush garden scenery. Traditional floral arrangements will be foregone as table centerpieces, and various teapots, which will be available for $30, will be used instead.

The Mad Hatters Luncheon is one of the two major fundraisers produced by the Women’s Guild to benefit the New Orleans Opera Association. Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa is honored to be chairing this year’s event, and hopes to have a record number of attendees.

“The New Orleans Opera Association is an essential component of the New Orleans cultural arts community, and events like this luncheon make it possible for the association to continue to grow and develop its vast programming, both on the main stage and in the community,” said Lonatro-Tusa. “The Women’s Guild is proud to continue to support such an amazing organization.”

Patron tickets are $85 per person or $850 per table of 10 for the patron party on Sunday, March 25, at the home of James A. Mounger. General admission tickets are $75 per person. Runway Patron Tables at $1,000 per table are already sold-out. Please call Cindi Mistrot at 504-416-8890 to purchase your tickets, or buy online. Proceeds from the event will benefit the New Orleans Opera Association.

For more information, visit our website or contact Kathleen Robert by calling 504-782-9919 or at MadHattersLuncheon@gmail.com .