OPERA UNDER THE STARS

SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 at Irvine Bowl

to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of Festival of the Arts

Pageant of the Masters

Opera Pacific, led by Artistic Director John DeMain and President and Executive Director Robert C. announce Opera Under the Stars, a summer performance to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the Festival the Arts Pageant of the Masters, Saturday, September 15 at 7:30 pm at Irvine Bowl. The concert is presented in partnership with the Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters.

The performance will use the operatic and American Songbook repertoire to resonate the 75^th Anniversary Pageant theme of “Young at Heart,” highlighting love and lovers in operatic arias and scenes.

“Opera Under the Stars: Young at Heart” will feature performances by baritone Troy Cook, soprano Luz del Alba (who will be the Queen of the Night in Opera Pacific’s upcoming The Magic Flute), tenor James Valenti, bass, Christian Van Horn, mezzo-soprano Zheng Cao, soprano Robin Follman, the Opera Pacific Ensemble of Repertory Artists^TM (O.P.E.R.A. ^TM), and the Opera Pacific Orchestra and Chorus conducted by John DeMain, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor.

In commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Arts, the theme of the 2007 Pageant of the Masters is “Young at Heart.” The “Opera Under the Stars” program will explore the myriad permutations of love. Audiences will be spellbound by unforgettable moments from the world's greatest composers. Bizet, Gounod, Leoncavello, Massanet, Mozart, Offenbach, Puccini, Rossini, Strauss, and Verdi will be represented with selections from The Barber of Seville, Carmen, Rigoletto, Romeo et Juliet, Madame Butterfly, and Die Fledermaus, to name a few. Even Stephen Sondheim will be featured, with the Opera Pacific Ensemble of Repertory Artists^TM performing the Prologue from A Little Night Music.

Opera Pacific’s 2007-2008 season, performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s opera house Segerstrom Hall, opens with Puccini’s La Bohème in the New York City Opera production designed by Allan Moyer (sets) and James Schuette (costumes). The opera will be performed October 24-November 3rd, 2007. Mozart’s The Magic Flute with stunning Zandra Rhodes costumes and sets by Michael Hampe and Alberto Andreis from San Diego Opera runs from January 23-February 2, 2008. Floyd’s Susannah, in the Chicago Lyric Opera production directed by Harry Silerstein designed
by Michael Yeargan, features a heartland-vibrant design recalling the muscular America of Thomas Hart Benton paintings, performs May 14-24, 2008.

Artistic Director John DeMain said, “Our production of Puccini’s La Bohème promises to be unforgettable with American soprano Kelly Kaduce as Mimi and Mexican tenor Arturo Chacon-Cruz, who we announcing now, replacing Yu Qiang Dai. I am thrilled to be conducting Mozart’s beloved The Magic Flute, and the Zandra Rhodes costumes highlight this colorful production, which will be a fantastical eye-popping delight. Audiences will be taken in quite a different, but equally powerful direction with Floyd’s American folk opera Susannah, which will end our season on a note of raw, emotional power.”

For tickets and information, please call 1-800-34-OPERA (1-800-346-7372) or visit www.operapacific.org. For groups please call 714-830-6361.

About Opera Pacific

Opera Pacific has established itself as one of the finest professional opera companies in the nation. Opera Pacific's mainstage productions, extensive community outreach programs, and energetic Guild Alliance combine to create a cultural resource for all of Southern California. More than 670,000 people have enjoyed Opera Pacific's productions at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, while over 575,000 young people have discovered the world of opera through the company's in-school presentations, Student Previews, and nationally recognized Opera Camps.

OPERA PACIFIC FAMILY OPERA

The Star Child

American and English premiere

Performed by Opera Camp students ages 8-18

By Hans-André Stamm

Based on the story by Oscar Wilde

NOW OFFERING FOUR PERFORMANCES

AUGUST 10 at 7pm, 11 at 2pm and 7pm, and 12 at 2pm

at the Claire Trevor Theatre, University of California, Irvine

Opera Pacific’s 2007 Family Opera performances of The Star Child take place August 10, 11, and 12 at the Claire Trevor Theatre on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. These performances will mark the American and English premiere of the opera. The Star Child is performed by Opera Camp students ages 8-18.

Local designers professionally create Opera Pacific’s Family Opera productions. The Star Child has costumes by Kevin Bennett, sets by Keith Bangs, and lighting by Burt Carlson. Master Classes will be taught by Nicola Bowie, who will also be Director of Opera Pacific’s “Opera Under the Stars” performance in September, and award-winning Bolivian-American soprano Lynette Tapia. Director of the camp and production in Andrew Nienaber, Opera Pacific’s main stage production Assistant Director.

This summer’s Family Opera production is The Star Child, based on one of the most popular fairy tales by Oscar Wilde. This adapted opera tells the story of the Star Child who appears to have fallen from the heavens as a shooting star and goes on a fantastic journey to overcome personal pride and learn generosity and self-sacrifice. The Star Child faces the consequences of selfishness in a world torn between beauty and ugliness, and grows to learn the value of life and love. Acceptable for all ages.

Opera Pacific’s Opera Camp is a three-and-a-half-week opera-training program for young singers seeking additional training and experience in a fun and energetic summer camp. The program includes daily course work in all facets of opera performance and production, as well as rehearsals for a fully staged opera production presented at the end of camp.

“My daughter was privileged to be in your opera camp in 2005 and this year [2006]. I was personally quite involved as well. It was absolutely a wonderful experience for her (and me!). The quality of the performance was extraordinary. Every kid seemed to be having a wonderful time while producing excellent work”, said Jeff Masonek, Opera Camp parent.

Opera Camp is one of seven education programs produced by Opera Pacific, and the first program of its kind in Southern California. Every year it has provided 40-45 children aged 8-18 years with hands-on training from professionals in the many aspects of opera performance. Children are selected by audition, and talented children whose parents are unable to pay the tuition are eligible for full or partial scholarship. The children receive three weeks of intensive training, and on the final weekend they present their opera for children from local schools, families and friends, and the public.

The curriculum is comprehensive. In addition to training in singing, acting and dance, the children also learn about choreography, set building, lighting, and costume design. Equally important, children from financially, culturally, and ethnically diverse backgrounds work together and learn the value of teamwork. As part of a creative team, they cooperate at all stages of making their opera a reality.

Opera Pacific works closely with regional school districts, and since the program’s inception in 1999, two hundred children have participated in Opera Camp. The camp experience dramatically influences the lives of these youths. Many have come back every year since the program’s inception. Several have later performed in the Children’s Chorus with Opera Pacific in mainstage productions, and several have pursued music as a career, studying at such notable music schools as Julliard, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Eastman School of Music.

The camp participants will begin their instruction and rehearsal process on July 18, working weekdays in preparation for their performances of The Star Child on August 10, 11 and 12, 2007, at the Claire Trevor Theatre on the campus of the University of California, Irvine.

For tickets call 1 800 34 OPERA or visit www.operapacific.org.

About Opera Pacific

Opera Pacific has established itself as one of the finest professional opera companies in the nation. Opera Pacific's mainstage productions, extensive community outreach programs, and energetic Guild Alliance combine to create a cultural resource for all of Southern California. An audience of more than 670,000 have enjoyed Opera Pacific's productions at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, while over 575,000 young people have discovered the world of opera through the company's in-school presentations, Student Previews, and nationally recognized Opera Camps.

OPERA PACIFIC’S 22nd Season (2007-2008) begins with Puccini’s La Bohème, October 24, 28, November 1, 3, 2007, followed by Mozart’s The Magic Flute, January 23, 27, 31, February 2, 2008, and Floyd’s Susannah, May 14, 18, 22, 24, 2008. All performances are in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.