Anchorage Opera (AO) announces their “Happily Ever After” 2017-18 Season, an eclectic mix of repertoire united by one element not always present in opera; everyone is alive and well at the end of the show. AO invites you to smile with them all season long. “We’re proud to offer both standard classics and cutting-edge shows, designed to foster community conversations,” said General Director, Reed W. Smith. “The power of opera unites us in a shared experience that speaks to our humanity. Art connects us to the sublime with beauty and empathy; and we proudly embrace that role in our community.” The non-profit company is collaborating with multiple arts and non-arts organizations, both locally and nationally, in the coming season for world class productions and stories relevant to our community. The line-up kicks off on November 3, 4 & 5, 2017 with Don Pasquale by Donizetti, recognized as the composer’s comic masterpiece, and continues with As One by Laura Kaminsky, libretto by Mark Campbell & Kimberly Reed, a chamber opera about identity, authenticity and compassion on February 9, 10 & 11, 2018. Two voices—Hannah before and Hannah after—share the part of a sole transgender protagonist. The story traces, with empathy and humor, Hannah’s experiences from her youth in a small town, to her college years on the West Coast, and finally to the acceptance of herself. This Alaskan Premiere is funded in part by OPERA America, and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation. The season grand finale is a collaborative production of Candide by Leonard Bernstein on April 7 & 8, 2018. Anchorage Opera joins nationwide celebrations of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th anniversary for a joint production with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra with Randall Craig Fleischer, conducting and staging by Anchorage director, Teresa K. Pond, for a show with appeal for opera and Broadway fans alike. All performances of the 2017-18 Season productions will be presented in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Season Subscription renewals and tickets will be on sale soon through CenterTix at 263-ARTS (2787) or online at centertix.net. Single ticket sales will begin in September 2017.
And to ensure a happy ending to their current 2016-17 55th Anniversary Season, the company is also in the homestretch of a fundraising campaign to help them plan for next season, and beyond. “Ticket sales alone covered a mere fraction of our cost of producing this season, so to bridge that gap we launched our 55 and So Alive end of season campaign with a goal of $55,000 by June 30, 2017.” Smith stated. To help the non-profit reach their goal, the Atwood Foundation announced their support in the form of a challenge grant. All donations made to the campaign, up to $25,000, will be matched by the Atwood Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to the Atwood Foundation for their generous support, and for giving our community the opportunity to double their donation, and thereby their impact, on this important goal helping to ensure a stable future for Anchorage Opera.”
To participate:
CALL: 907-279-2557
CLICK: to donate online CLICK HERE
MAIL: your gift to
Anchorage Opera
1507 Spar Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
For additional information contact Judy Berry, Marketing & Development Director