Photo by Sam Wilson / Moonloop Photography
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
OPERADELAWARE BRINGS POP-UP OPERA AND THE CAST OF COSÌ FAN TUTTE TO THE WILMINGTON HOPE COMMISSION
WILMINGTON, Del. — OperaDelaware’s Pop-Up Opera mobile stage has been making waves since its unveiling this summer, allowing America’s 11th oldest opera company to reach new audiences and share remarkable artists with the Wilmington community. In a new partnership, OperaDelaware will bring the Pop-Up Opera experience to the Wilmington HOPE Commission, an organization that champions the rehabilitation of formerly incarcerated people to build a thriving community. OperaDelaware will present excerpts from Così fan tutte performed by an all-star cast, which includes OperaDelaware’s Artist Ambassador Eric McKeever as well as new talent and exciting rising stars. The free performance will connect the Wilmington HOPE Commission and OperaDelaware in their joint mission to enrich the lives of Wilmington residents, encourage dialogue, and strengthen our community through this shared artistic experience.
The Wilmington HOPE Commission is a community-based reentry organization that aims to reduce the incidents of crime and violence by intervening in the lives of justice-involved individuals cycling in and out of the criminal justice system. Through a culturally competent and evidence-based multidisciplinary approach, the work of the Wilmington HOPE Commission has lowered the recidivism rate in the City of Wilmington and increased tax revenue by helping the members of the program obtain and retain full-time employment. The HOPE Commission provides reentry services to men returning from prison residing in the 19801, 19802, and 19805 zip codes.
The HOPE Commission has launched an initiative called HOPE for the City to #SpreadHOPE throughout Delaware neighborhoods and communities. This initiative leverages the strengths of the HOPE Commission re-entry program to create upward mobility for justice-involved program members, family reunification and revitalization through economic development.
“We welcome the entire neighborhood to attend Arts & HOPE Outdoors as we spread hope in Wilmington. Through the arts we all can find the hope needed to transform hearts, minds and the community for the collective betterment of everyone.” Said Darius Brown, Executive Director of The HOPE Commission.
On Friday, October 7, 2022 at noon, members of the cast of Così fan tutte will present a selection of favorite arias and excerpts from Mozart’s satirical masterpiece, which opens on October 28 at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington. The free, outdoor performance, which will introduce the cast of Così fan tutte to the Wilmington public for the first time, will take place on OperaDelaware’s state-of-the-art mobile opera stage outside of the Wilmington HOPE Commission’s Achievement Center located at 38 Vandever Avenue.
What began as Drive-Through Arias — a parking lot concert series necessitated by the pandemic — has quickly grown into the thriving Pop-Up Opera program thanks to generous support made possible through the PNC Arts Alive initiative and the Presser Foundation. With Pop-Up Opera, OperaDelaware is creating access to an artform that is often considered intimidating and elitist. The intimacy and casual nature of these performances removes the stigma of opera’s inaccessibility, and invites audiences to have an up close and personal experience with live opera in an informal setting.
“Our goal at every Pop-Up performance is to have the artists connect in a meaningful way with the audience and to really embed opera into the Wilmington community,” said Kerriann Otaño, OperaDelaware’s Vice President of Engagement. “Everyone has a story to tell, and no one understands that more than the clients rebuilding their lives through the Wilmington HOPE Commission. We are honored to present these artists, these storytellers, for the first of what I hope will be many collaborations in coming years.”
Così fan tutte will run for two performances at The Grand Opera House on Friday, October 28 and Sunday, October 30. The ensemble cast will feature a mix of familiar faces and company debuts. Soprano Colleen Daly (La traviata, 2012) and mezzo-soprano Marie Engle (OperaDelaware Young Artist, 2020) will sing the sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, respectively, with Amanda Sheriff (Don Pasquale, 2021) making her role debut as the feisty maid, Despina. OperaDelaware’s inaugural Artist Ambassador, baritone Eric McKeever, joined the company in September for community and educational engagement, working with the Neighborhood Choir Program (a joint venture between OperaDelaware and the Wilmington Children's Chorus) and presenting public and private performances. Mr. McKeever will play Don Alfonso, the jaded mentor who instigates the comedy of errors. Rounding out the cast, tenor David Walton (Don Pasquale, 2021) will sing the lovesick Ferrando and baritone Paul La Rosa will make his OperaDelaware debut as the charmingly aloof Guglielmo. The OperaDelaware orchestra and chorus will be led by maestro Domenico Boyagian in this production directed by Samuel Mungo, both of whom will make their OperaDelaware mainstage debuts. Tickets can be purchased by calling the operade.org at (302) 442-7807 or by visiting operade.org.
About OperaDelaware: OperaDelaware, now in its 78th season, is a professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education. OperaDelaware opens the door to bold, vibrant and creative operatic programming that enriches the community, transforms audiences, and encourages dialogue.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Press contact: For interview requests, please email Kerriann Otaño at kotano@operade.org or call 302-442-7812.
Organizational images: Available for download here.
Advertising inquiries: For advertising and sponsorship information, please contact Jordan Barrett at jbarrett@operade.org.