Opera Colorado and Colorado Public Radio announced the return of Opera 101, the cooperative opera community education program. “The concept for Opera 101 was so popular and had such strong community support, we decided to make it an on-air program so that it would be accessible to even more listeners in Colorado,” said Steve Blatt, KVOD music host and Promotions Manager.
Originally created as a cooperative program by Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, Colorado Public Radio and the Denver Public Library, Opera 101 was a series of community events hosted at the library. Designed to inform listeners about upcoming opera productions and inspire future opera audiences, the free events included informal lectures along with performances of musical selections and often attracted standingroom only attendance.
However, since they took place on only one night, the number of people who could participate was limited. Opera 101 took a hiatus while the program was revamped and now returns in a new format.
A small studio audience will be invited to attend a recording session at Colorado Public Radio’s Bridges Broadcast Center, and the Opera 101 program will be recorded for later broadcast on KVOD, 88.1 FM, Colorado Public Radio’s classical music channel.
The first program will focus on Opera Colorado’s upcoming production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, playing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, November 8 through 16. The Opera 101 program will feature Opera Colorado General Director Greg Carpenter, Director of Artistic Planning Brad Trexell and Education and Community Programs Director Leigh Holman, with KVOD's Blatt acting as moderator. Each director will describe a different aspect of the opera, including its history, the sets and costumes and the opera’s story. Artists will also perform musical selections. The program will close with questions from the studio audience.
“We are thrilled to partner with KVOD on this innovative program,” said Leigh Holman from Opera Colorado. “We believe that this will greatly increase our reach into the Colorado classical music community and inspire new audiences to become opera lovers.”
KVOD 88.1 FM will broadcast Opera 101 on Wednesday, November 5 at 7pm as part of the “Colorado Spotlight” series and will re-broadcast the program on Saturday, November 8 at 11am. The program will also be made available online so that audiences and classrooms can listen to the program at their convenience. -- www.operacolorado.org
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
