PORTopera

PORTopera is a professional opera company based in Portland, Maine and is a member of OPERA America. The company typically produces one main stage opera every summer and one traveling production that is on a somewhat smaller scale. On occasion, the company has expanded their season to include up to three main stage operas. The company was founded by Bruce Hangen in 1994 who served as the company's Artistic Director from 1994-2002. After Hangen left, Dona D. Vaughn became the Artistic Director of the company, a position which she still holds. Initially, PORTopera productions were staged at Portland’s State Theater but the company moved its home to the newly renovated Merrill Auditorium in 1997. Although a smaller opera company, PORTopera has garnered consistent praise from music critics who admire the excellence of their productions. [ [http://www.portopera.org/index.php PORTopera - The Opera of Maine ] ]

Production history

The company’s first performances took place in July, 1995 at the State Theater with Bizet’s "Carmen". In July 1996, the company produced Puccini’s "Madama Butterfly" at the State Theater.

In 1997, PORTopera moved to the newly-renovated Merrill Auditorium in Portland with a full-scale production of Puccini’s "Tosca". In 1998, the company presented Verdi’s "La Traviata" starring Mary Dunleavy as Violetta.

In 1999, PORTopera presented Puccini’s "La Boheme" at the Merrill. In 2000, PORTopera expanded to three opera productions at the Merrill with Verdi’s "Rigoletto", Mozart’s "The Impresario" and Menotti’s "The Medium".

In 2001, PORTopera presented Mozart’s "The Marriage of Figaro" and a touring production of Rossini’s "Barber of Seville" with PORTopera Young Artists Program.

In 2002 the company offered Gounod’s "Faust" for its mainstage production at the Merrill and a touring production of Bizet’s "Dr. Miracle" as a part of their Young Artists program.

In 2003, the company presented Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor", guest conducted by Stephen Lord.

In 2004, a second guest conductor, Giovanni Reggioli, joined the company for its production Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" and Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana". The company's Young Artist program also toured with a production of Puccini's "Gianni Schicci" that same year.

In 2005, Stephen Lord returned to PORTopera to conduct the company's production of Bizet’s “Carmen” which had Maine native Kate Aldrich in the title role. While the state had always been well represented in the PORTopera Chorus and in minor roles and technical staff, this marked the first time a Maine singer had a major role in a mainstage production. In 2006, Giovanni Reggioli returned to conduct the company's production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" with Peter Volpe in the title role. The company's young artist program, toured with Mozart's little known and rarely performed "L'Oca del Cairo".

In 2007, the company presented Rossini's "Barber of Seville" as its mainstage production under the baton of Reggioli.

In 2008, the company will present Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette".

References

Other Resources

* [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-126634051.html "'Don Giovanni' may elicit a gasp or two; PORTopera stages Mozart's dramatic comedy with a lusty edge" by Bob Keyes, July 23, 2006 "Portland Press Herald"]
* [http://www.themaineswitch.com/story/view/754/ "Bring the kids: PORTopera will get divas started young," "The Maine Switch"]