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Portland Opera To Go

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Each year Portland Opera To Go takes an opera on the road, sharing the power of opera, music, and theater with schools and communities throughout Oregon and SW Washington. It’s not necessarily the easiest thing in the world, as you might imagine. But it’s one of the most rewarding . . . for us and for the thousands upon thousands of students who get to experience live opera, many for the first time.


And this blog will give you a first-hand view from the performers themselves of what it’s like when Opera hits the road!

 

Here’s a link to more information on the tour and the program.

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Portland Opera To Go's Blog

Eight shows this last week...

Submitted by Portland Opera To Go on Wed, 02/23/2011 - 11:07

Greetings all.

Eight shows this last week, includes Woodmere Elementary, Jackson Middle School, Portland Jewish Academy, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the double bill at Hotel Oregon in McMinnville, 3 shows on our home turf at the Hampton Opera Center, and all the while busily preparing ourselves for the week ahead.

Somehow, I've acclimated to the pace. A typical day might be to rise before dawn, drive in good humor a good distance, splash the set in place as the space allows, don our costumes and watch each other make our entrances with the same vibrance found in those near forgotten days of dress rehearsal, only to exit, reload the truck as quickly and gracefully as we arrived, to do it all yet again often the same day for yet another room full of unsuspecting and subsequently delighted children and children at heart. It remains hard work, but it isn't hard to do, if you know what I mean. We all know the drill now, Elixer is solid and flexible. We are supported by each others professionalism and dedication to the discipline, and we are fueled with the gratitude of our audiences. It is an honor to be a part of.

 

Erik HundtoftErik Hundtoft

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I love my job...

Submitted by Portland Opera To Go on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 16:42

Portland Opera To Go's The Elixir of Love scenery set-upFirst of all, I love my job…I love my job….I love my job.  I really do.  But 6:30 am is too early to be driving to a gig.  I keep asking myself over and over, “Who the [blazes] booked this thing???!”  And then being forced to answer, “Oh.  I did.”  

Portland Opera To Go is in full swing and we have been experiencing terrific success, both in schools and in our various McMenamins venues.  I couldn’t be more pleased or proud of the magnificent and heroic work ethic and professionalism exhibited by my cast, and their ability to pull a brilliant performance out even when the evening performance is 12 hours after our initial call.  We did that this week.  I am telling you—we are Opera Peace Corps, the toughest job you will ever love.

But, of course, even the toughest job has its perks.  For instance, watching Stacey Murdock as Dr. Dulcamara turn on the bubble machine in his cart and watching the kid sitting next to me gasp and bounce, exclaiming, delighted, “Now, THAT’S cool.”  Or having an octogenarian taking the usual place of a kindergartner delivering a “telegram” in the show, and having him be as full of joy as a five-year-old to help us out, even as he gave me a knowing wink.  Or getting to actually say, “Yeah, we are playing The Crystal tonight.”  Or seeing our pianist, David, sitting on an amp at the keyboard on the sidewalk at 14th and Burnside in the middle of the night as we loaded out of the Crystal Ballroom.  

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McMenamins and the Oregon Coast

Submitted by Portland Opera To Go on Mon, 02/07/2011 - 17:10

Stacey Murdock and Ainsley SoutiereSunday is generally a day of rest, but not for Portland Opera to Go We performed our first of eight McMenamins shows at Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, OR. The audience was packed and enthusiastic as our singers performed “The Elixir of Love” on a vaudevillesque stage. Our second act consisted of favorite selections from opera and musical theater. In all, it's a two hour program, and the audience was with us 100%. We repeated this performance later in the week at McMenamins Sandtrap in Seaside, OR. Again, we had an appreciative audience and helpful McMenamins staff. How can you go wrong? Great food, great drinks, and great music!

After spending Sunday night at Grand Lodge we were off to the coast. Wheeler on the Bay in Wheeler, OR, became our homebase for the next 3 days and nights. Owners Pat and Tracy couldn't have been more hospitable if they'd tried. Each room is decorated differently. I stayed in the “Chinook Room” which had a queen bed, dinette, and fireplace. Alexis had an in-room spa! She deserved it. Breakfast? Tracy takes care of it. Video rentals? Free! Pat and Tracy have an entire room of movies that are complimentary for guests. I am no longer stranger to “Casablanca.”

Elementary schools that week included Nehalem, Cannon Beach, and Tillamook. I hope these kids realize what a beautiful area they live in! And music is thriving in these schools. It's reassuring to meet dedicated music teachers who are giving their students the opportunity to see opera. I was 25 before I saw my first opera!

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