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2023 News & Highlights


Education Initiative: Storytelling through Opera
​with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia

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Charlottesville, VA – In February and March of 2023, Charlottesville Opera began a new education initiative aimed at storytelling through opera. The initiative took place in conjunction with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, specifically the Journey and Cherry Avenue locations. Students took part in a 6 week series of sessions during which they
  1. learned about opera,
  2. wrote their own stories,
  3. created costumes,
  4. built sets,
  5. worked with singers to discover characters' emotions, and
  6. presented the opera to the rest of their club members.

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Two Classics Make Their Debut at Charlottesville Opera

(Charlottesville, VA) – Charlottesville Opera has announced plans to present two shows in the 2023 season that have never been produced in the company’s 45-year history: Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls and Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca. “We are excited to present these classic productions for our audience here in Charlottesville. Both shows exemplify what we all love about musical storytelling, great characters and captivating melodies,” says General Director Dr. Leanne Clement.
 
Guys and Dolls was the winner of the 1950 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1951 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The show follows the unlikely love story of Sister Sarah Brown, a missionary trying to evangelize the wicked of New York City, and Sky Masterson, a high stakes gambler who has a hard time turning down any bet. Leading the cast of Guys and Dolls is Keith Phares as Sky Masterson. Opera News calls Phares’ voice a “fine lyric baritone” with “velvety beauty,” making him the perfect choice for the suave crooner. Mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata stars alongside Phares as Sister Sarah Brown. The New York Times praised her performance with New York City Opera as “vocally and physically nuanced… vividly conveying the evolution of the character.”
 
Tosca is one of the top five most popular operas in the repertoire today. Puccini’s beautiful melodies permeate the story of a deadly love triangle set in Rome during the tumultuous time of Napoleon’s invasion. Mario Cavaradossi’s loyalty to his friends and country threatens his life. His love, Floria Tosca, attempts to obtain his freedom from the manipulative Baron Scarpia, who wants Tosca as his own. Veteran singing actor Todd Thomas appears as Baron Scarpia, a role he is also scheduled to sing for Florida Grand Opera earlier in 2023. Tenor Adam Diegel takes on the role of Cavaradossi, which he has previously sung with Seattle Opera, Palm Beach Opera, and most recently Opera Santa Barbara. Operawire.com describes Diegel’s voice as a “bright and shimmering lyric tenor.” In the title role, soprano Marsha Thompson leads the cast. A winner of the prestigious Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation Award, and a student of the Marilyn Horne, Opera News praised her for singing “with a cascade of refined yet plush Italianate sound.”
 
Local performers will also be featured. Dr. Caroline Worra, Charlottesville Opera’s Artistic Director, comments, “The success of our last season was made possible by the incredible local singers who joined us as choristers. We are excited to once again offer opportunities for these individuals to work alongside world class professionals from across the country.”
 
Tosca and Guys and Dolls appear as the centerpiece of Charlottesville Opera’s 46th festival season that also offers concerts and semi-staged performances in various venues throughout June and July 2023. Performances will be held at The Paramount Theater. Dates and times to be announced. 

2022 News & Highlights


'Merry Widow' offers lighthearted fun in operetta setting

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va (The Daily Progress) - If you’re still trying to shake pandemic doldrums, nothing fuels a can-do spirit quite like a can-can.

When Charlottesville Opera opens its second production of the season, Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow,” on Friday at Paramount Theater, audience members will see plenty of dancing. There’s a vibrant cast of internationally lauded performers, a team of up-and-coming singers from the company’s Ader Emerging Artists ranks and a chorus filled with Charlottesville-area children and adults.

And its stars bring a rare spark that blends their skills at singing and comedy. Caroline Worra, Charlottesville Opera’s new artistic director, stars as Hanna Glawari — the “merry widow” of the title — and Richard Troxell is Count Danilo. They’ve performed the roles together before.

“The two of them have this great comedic chemistry,” said Leanne Pettit Clement, Charlottesville Opera’s general director.
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Opinion/Letter: Opera brings smiles, laughter

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va (The Daily Progress) - I'd recommend this to all my girlfriends,” my wife said to me as we exited the theater last night, still smiling and humming the charming melodies and reminiscing the hilarious moments from the Charlottesville Opera’s English language production of Franz Lehar’s toe-tapping, hilarious comedy, “The Merry Widow.”

A small group of children laughed to the left of us, having just been rewarded with a tour of our historic Paramount Theater just minutes before by Dr. Leanne Clement, general director of the Charlottesville Opera. It was easy to understand why they were laughing as well. Their top-notch production incorporated layers of comedy for all ages. The zany acting by the cast appealed to children without interfering with the witty verbal comedy that adults enjoy. My wife and I were both rolling in the balcony with laughter and jumped to our feet, swelling with adrenaline from the whirlwind energy at the finale.

Having been weaned on opera since I was a child, I felt at home with “The Merry Widow,” but it was refreshing to hear my wife, a newcomer to the genre, say that she could not only find laughter, but also appreciation for what opera promises to operagoers: the refined beauty of the human voice in music.
Every member of the cast from Dr. Caroline Worra, Richard Troxell, Katie Henley, to Andrew Stenson shined in their roles. Dr. Caroline is a veritable star whose voice could fill your soul with music as easily as it filled the theater.

It was a special evening and I recommend it to everyone in our greater Charlottesville area. Please consider seeing “The Merry Widow” this weekend, you will laugh, cheer, and experience beauty at its best.

Nickolas Urpi
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Charlottesville

'Sound of Music' brings 'butterfly feeling' back to the Paramount

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va (The Daily Progress) - Audiences expect stirring moments in “The Sound of Music” — everything from humor to loyalty to love. But since the pandemic began stirring feelings of isolation and fear, the timeless Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical has a way of bringing out a different emotion with its message of freedom.

“It’s very liberating,” said Leanne P. Clement, the new general director of Charlottesville Opera. “After being kept in a cocoon and coming out of the cocoon, there’s a butterfly feeling.”

“The Sound of Music” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday to open Charlottesville Opera’s new season at the Paramount Theater. The 127-member opera company will be back at the Paramount for the first time since the pandemic began.

For Clement and her team, “there’s a lot of gratitude. People are passionate, but overall, people are grateful to be back in the space doing the things we love."


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Auditions are underway for Charlottesville Opera

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - If you love to sing and act, there’s a perfect opportunity for you: Charlottesville Opera is gearing up for auditions!

“This summer we will be producing the Sound of Music and the Merry Widow as part of our 45th season, and we want you. It’s audition season. If you’re interested in our emerging artist program - being a part of the chorus, an acting role, one of the children’s roles 5 to 16 - we want to hear from you,” Artistic Director Caroline Worra said.

The audition deadline for emerging artists is February 14. All of the others are due by February 16.

​Charlottesville Opera Announced the Appointment of Caroline Worra as Artistic Director

​Charlottesville, VA (October 13, 2021) — David Newkirk, Chair of Charlottesville Opera’s Board of Directors and Christina Deaton DeMarea, General Director, today announced that Caroline Worra has been named Artistic Director of the nonprofit company, effective immediately.
 
Hailed by Opera News as “one of the finest singing actresses around,” Worra has sung over 90 roles, from over 70 operas, including 20 world, American and regional premieres. 
She has worked with over 80 different opera companies including The Metropolitan Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Boston Lyric Opera.  She performed six seasons at both Glimmerglass Opera and New York City Opera.  Worra also performed on two U.S. National Tours with San Francisco’s Merola/Western Opera Theatre singing Violetta in La Traviata and Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus.  She also has excelled as an outstanding vocal coach known for her emphasis on superior technique. 
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Said Worra, “I am thrilled to accept this new position as Artistic Director especially after having served as Director of Charlottesville Opera’s Emerging Artist Program in 2021.  I know first hand the high quality of the company’s performances with professionals from across the country.”
 
Said Newkirk, “Having a world acclaimed artist of Caroline’s stature committed to Charlottesville Opera is a tribute to the quality of this company and our community.  We look forward to the leadership she will bring.”
 
Said DeMarea, “Having known Caroline for many years, I am thrilled that she has accepted this important position.  She contributed immeasurably to last season’s incredible success in the midst of a pandemic and will bring extraordinary artistry to our exciting 2022 season.”
 
Worra will work closely with the Charlottesville Opera Board of Directors to advance the company’s artistic vision, build the artistic team, contribute to its position in the opera industry and continue the high quality of the company's musical performances to enrich the Charlottesville community.

2021 News & Highlights


Charlottesville Opera marks the city's return to live theatre

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image via CBS19.com

​CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va (CBS19 News)--
After nearly 18 months away from the stage, live theatre is back in town.

The Charlottesville Opera opened their production of "La Boheme" Thursday night at the Ting Pavilion.

According to the opera, this is the first theatrical production ever on the pavilion stage.

They say it's one of the first live theatre performances to come back anywhere in the country.

One actress says she’s overjoyed. 
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"Just having a moment together, ya know, that's what we're here for in a live performance. to create this beautiful moment and allow ourselves to dive into some emotions and things that I think we all need to do together as a community,” said Jessica E. Jones, singing the lead role of Musetta.

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Charlottesville Opera prepares for return to stage with historic performance​

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image via NBC29.com

​CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - For the first time ever, an opera is coming to Charlottesville’s Ting Pavilion and for many performers, it’s the first time they’ve been on stage in front of a crowd in over a year.
Charlottesville Opera is turning the page from pandemic to performance.

“Just enjoying making art again has meant so much to us,” said Stephanie Havey, the director.
In front of a small ‘rehearsal’ audience on Wednesday, the Opera prepared for its first showing of La Bohème on Thursday, which will be performed in front of a larger crowd at the Ting Pavilion.

“That vibrancy of having an audience and understanding that shared experience is unlike anything else,” said Jessica E. Jones, who plays the role of Musetta.

The audience on Thursday, and for the second show on Saturday, will be watching these opera singers in the pavilion’s first-ever theatrical performance.

“There’s just that added energy,” said Charlottesville Opera General Director Christina DeMarea. “There would already be energy in such a cool space and being outdoors, but it’s just heightened up that much more.”

The opera is set in Paris just before the 1968 protests. Havey says the similarities between the show and our current world make this performance really timely.

“This is a joyful story that centers on a love story, but it’s also within the context of unrest in the world,” she said. “We hope that audiences will be able to connect directly into the story that we’re telling.”

That story is soon to be shared together with an audience after over a year of separation.

“Being able to connect to people, and to be able to hopefully change their lives in some small way for a minute, for a night, for a moment, maybe for a longer time than that, and to create a little beauty in their lives,” Jones said.
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Charlottesville Opera says it has used the new technology, like the pavilion’s LED screens, to create an atmosphere and setting that connects Paris in the ‘60s to our current world.

Charlottesville Opera launches 43rd season by singing in IX Art Park

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​In years past
, Charlottesville’s opera fans spent summer evenings settling into seats among the boxwoods at James Monroe’s Highland estate. They listened to stirring arias as stars began shimmering in the sky behind the stars on the stage. And, if you were lucky, you might hear a peacock shrieking its approval of a coloratura soprano’s sparkling turn.


This weekend, Charlottesville Opera is heading back outdoors to open its 43rd season, keeping pandemic safety precautions in mind while offering a fond nod to tradition. Performances of “Broadway in the Park” will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at IX Art Park, and although listeners will hear some ambient traffic sounds, no peacock feathers will be ruffled in the making of the music.

For listeners, it’s an opportunity to get outside and spend a summer evening revisiting favorite musical theater songs and soaking in new-to-you Broadway tunes.

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CBS19 News

Thank you to Sarah Robinson of CBS19 News: Charlottesville News First for this article highlighting love at the opera!
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The pandemic has affected everyone, and has made life harder in numerous ways, but love is one thing that keeps people going, even through hardship.

Bob Bennetta and his partner Diana have been together now for 15 years. He says her support in all of his endeavors is so special to him. "I played right around the corner at Fellini's for 16 years. I'm a pianist. And, she was there for almost every gig for almost 15 years. So, that's pretty good,” said Bennetta. They chose to keep it simple this year, but he was on the hunt for one special gift for his number one person. “One beautiful rose, you know, with greenery and baby's breath all around it like that," he said.

Another couple, Sanjin and Alex, are celebrating four years spent together. They shared what makes them a perfect match for each other. "Her ability to smile in all sorts of situations,” said Sanjin. “I really appreciate his humor, and his commitment to his goals, and his values," added Alex. Alyssa and Skyler are relatively new to each other, but their love for one another runs deep. "We're actually in law school together so we met through our law school classes. I love how amazingly supportive he is in all of the things that I do,” said Alyssa. “She is incredibly kind and patient," added Skyler.

Tascha Anderson and Michael Gray have a unique story as well. They met through the Charlottesville Opera in 2019.
Their love of the performing arts created a special bond. “We were hired to do the Tragedy of Carmen. I was Carmen, the title role, and he was Don Jose, my opposite. So, we were both the leads,” said Anderson. They tried to keep their relationship strictly professional. The chemistry between them had other plans. Within weeks, they were in love and this past Christmas Eve, they got engaged. While Anderson had a hunch a proposal might be coming, her unique ring was a surprise.
"Michael actually made my ring. It's a piece of silver that he made into a ring. His mother, an amazing mother, gifted me her engagement ring as well, so I have that on my other hand," she said. Since creativity brought them together, he thought it was only fair to bring a creative flair to the proposal, so he followed a tutorial on YouTube. Anderson and Gray recently made a video with the Charlottesville Opera to celebrate their love. Watch it here.

2020 News & Highlights


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 29, 2020
Charlottesville Opera Appoints Sharin Apostolou as Ader Artist-in-Residence

Charlottesville Opera (CO) is pleased to announce Soprano Sharin Apostolou as CO’s first Ader Artist-in-Residence. Sharin is an accomplished professional singer who has graced Charlottesville Opera’s stage in leading roles for the past five seasons. The admiration between Sharin and Charlottesville audiences is mutual and one of the reasons Sharin and her husband have chosen Charlottesville as their new home town.
 
“Sharin has been a highlight of CO’s summer performances and we look forward to benefitting from her artistic perspective beyond the stage”, says General Director, Christina DeMarea. “As a successful international performer, Sharin brings invaluable talent and experience to our Young Artist and educational programs, as well as our mainstage productions.”

Sharin represents the new generation of classical singing. She is equally comfortable and acclaimed for her Baroque and early music repertoire as she is her Bel Canto roles. 
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Opera News praised her "amazing vocal agility in the highly demanding ​​ coloratura challenges of the role, retaining a purity of tone throughout." Additionally, she has won the hearts of audiences and critics for her interpretations of classic musical roles. Sharin’s professional appearances include New York City Opera, Portland Opera, Baltimore Concert Opera, Utah Opera, Little Opera Theater of New York, Glimmerglass, Central City Opera, and Operafestival di Roma.
 
This Artist-in-Residence position is named in honor of the generous support of Mrs. Tessa G. Ader, widow of the late Richard M. Ader. Mrs. Ader's commitment to enabling CO to engage high-caliber singers and musicians is integral to sustaining the artistic integrity of the company. David Newkirk, CO Board President says, “We are very grateful for Mrs. Ader's generosity and are delighted that Sharin Apostolou is our inaugural Ader Artist-in-Residence."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 9, 2020
​Charlottesville Opera Welcomes New General Director

The Charlottesville Opera (CO) Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Christina Deaton DeMarea to the role of General Director.

“Christina’s significant non-profit leadership experience in Chicago, where she built relationships with the private and public sectors: artistic, corporate, philanthropic, community-based and educational institutions, make her a strong fit for this position”, says David Newkirk, CO Board President. “We are excited by Christina’s passion for excellent artistic production and her track record in leading endeavors that unify and enrich communities. We believe the company will be stronger than ever as we emerge from the pandemic. We are looking forward to envisioning a bright future for Charlottesville Opera with Christina.”
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Most recently Christina served as Chief Operating Officer (2016-2019) and Executive Director (1997-2007) at Chicago Children's Choir (CCC) which serves 5,000 youth each year. CCC sets the standard for artistic excellence and ingenuity in youth arts and regularly appears with a wide spectrum of artists from Chance the Rapper to Lyric Opera of Chicago. During Christina’s collective leadership, she worked with artistic leadership to set new standards of excellence, substantially expand programs, increase revenue generation, and deepen financial sustainability through the establishment of the organization's first reserves and endowment fund. Additionally, she has worked with best-in-class institutions such as University of Chicago’s Cultural Policy Center, Common Threads, Wynnchurch Capital, and Jackson Foundation.
Christina is respected for both her artistic and administrative acumen, serving on Chicago’s City Arts Panel, as a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, and as president of the Musician’s Club of Women of Chicago. Christina earned a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and Non-Profit Executive Management training from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

2019 Season Highlights



​Many thanks to our wonderful videographer, Stewart Searle of Bravi Films.
Charlottesville Opera is supported in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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226 E. High Street, Charlottesville, VA  22902 • 434-293-4500 • info@charlottesvilleopera.org
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© Charlottesville Opera 2020  |  Photo credits: Janet Moore-Coll, David Perry |  Video credits: Stewart Searle of Bravi Films  
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • History
    • Education
    • Join Our Team
  • Events
    • 2023 Season
    • Summer Concerts
  • Audition
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  • Media
  • Donate
    • Make a Donation
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