Community Events
Portland Opera provides many opportunities to engage with the operas in our season and learn more about the art form. For a complete list of programming, please visit our upcoming events section, sign up for our OPERAbuzz e-newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
Destination Opera: From Music to Psyche
The 2012/13 Season welcomes back a lecture series: Destination Opera: From Music to Psyche. For two operas this season, there will be an exciting event to provide you with more information on the production you will be seeing and to offer you some new ideas on how life integrates itself in opera.
Opera is suggestive—music and visuals combine to remind you of intangibles you didn’t know you knew, feelings you didn’t know you had, vistas you didn’t know you were ready to explore. Destination Opera would like to guide you down a meandering path to a deeper appreciation of opera, history, philosophy, psychology and art. Join us on the scenic route!
| The event brings Alexis Hamilton, Manager of Education and Outreach together with guest speakers from the Oregon Psychoanalytic Institute to provide you a unique perspective on our upcoming operas. |
All Destination Opera Events are held at: | |
| Opera | Date | Speaker |
| Don Giovanni | November 7, 2012, 7:00pm | Ralph Beaumont, MD |
| Falstaff | May 17, 2013, 7:00pm | David Turner |
Opera Previews
Opera Previews are held a week prior to opening night at the Multnomah County Central Library, in the US Bank room. A member of our artistic staff and our Resident Artists will tantalize you with music and insightful information on the upcoming production. The 2012/13 Season will aslo include additional previews in Hillsboro and Vancouver.
| Opera | Date | Location |
| Don Giovanni | October 27, 2012 | The Venetian Theatre, Hillsboro |
| Don Giovanni | October 28, 2012 | Multnomah County Central Library |
| Tosca | January 27, 2013 | Multnomah County Central Library |
| Rinaldo | March 11, 2013 | Multnomah County Central Library |
| Falstaff | May 4, 2013 | Vancouver Library |
| Falstaff | May 5, 2013 | Multnomah County Central Library |
Opera Insights
Opera Insights precede each performance held at the Keller Auditorium and Newmark Theatre. These free half-hour lectures with Portland Opera's Resident Historian/Lecturer Bob Kingston are provided to give you a better understanding of the opera and all that surrounds it. The lecture begins one hour before the performance and is held in the 1st balcony level of the theater.
Back Talk
Shortly after each performance, join General Director Christopher Mattaliano, along with conductors, directors, and performers for a lively Q&A session. It is your chance to ask any questions about the performance you've just enjoyed. Back Talk is held on the orchestra level.
Student and Adult Education
Each summer, Portland Opera pulls back the curtain, introducing the people who make opera come to life in a highly interactive class for adults. Portland Opera also regularly offers classes and lectures on opera to schools and community organizations upon request. For more information and to arrange a talk or workshop, please contact Alexis Hamilton, Manager of Education and Outreach.