Press Release: El Paso Opera’s “Madama Butterfly” adds third show

Thursday, March 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
3rd SHOW: Sunday, March 13, 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Abraham Chavez Theatre



Due to popular demand, El Paso Opera has added a third performance to its “Madama Butterfly” schedule. There will be a matinee on Sunday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. This is in addition to performances Thursday, March 10, and Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. All performances are at the Abraham Chavez Theatre.

“Madama Butterfly” marks El Paso Opera’s return to grand opera, with full sets and costumes. “Butterfly” is also one of the most popular operas of all time. It’s been two years since El Paso Opera has staged a grand opera (“Magic Flute” was the last, in 2009), and audiences are in for a treat with an Emmy®-winning production and all-star cast.

But “grand” doesn’t mean elitist — at least, not in El Paso.

El Paso Opera artistic and general director David Grabarkewitz has made it his mission to bring opera to the entire El Paso-Juárez community, as well as to traditional opera patrons.

So he’s made sure that promotions for the “Madama Butterfly” reach a Spanish-speaking audience and most neighborhoods of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.
And for the first time, El Paso Opera advertised on a billboard in Ciudad Juárez and established a toll-free phone number for ticket-buyers in Mexico.

The opera also stretched its Spanish promotion in El Paso to bench ads in the Mission Valley and the bustling East side. A Spanish-language billboard is visible on I-10 West at Lomaland.
“Opera for All!” has been the motto of Grabarkewitz’s mission, and El Paso Opera will continue its Opera for All series in advance of “Madama Butterfly.” Opera for All events run from 60-75 minutes and will feature performances by members of the “Butterfly” cast.

Opera for All performances will be presented in English and Spanish and are open to the public free of charge.

Opera for All performances:

• El Paso Community College Transmountain Campus, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2:00 p.m.
• Fort Bliss’ Freedom Crossing- Grand Hall, Sunday, Feb. 27, 5:00 p.m.
• La Fe Community Technology Center, 721 South Ochoa St., Tuesday, March 2, 2:00 p.m.

“Butterfly is a celebration of big, classical opera,” said Grabarkewitz. “It’s a great story for first-time opera goers. If you haven’t been to the opera recently, this is the perfect show to get re-acquainted.”
Grabarkewitz used his influence as the resident stage director for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center to ensure the highest quality Butterfly production in El Paso.

“I requested favors from the amazing cast and designer, and we've put together a phenomenal show.” Grabarkewitz said. “We’ve assembled an internationally renowned cast that is second-to-none.”

Indeed, Grabarkewitz directed several of the principal actors in an Emmy®-winning telecast for PBS performed at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

“Its story holds themes very familiar to El Pasoans: a military serviceman falls in love with a young woman.”

Information: El Paso Opera 581-5534

El Paso Opera: 1/2 off tickets to Madama Butterfly

Today only, you can buy tickets to March 10th opening night of El Paso Opera's Madama Butterfly.

Click here to visit Busca El Paso to buy your tickets.

Visit www.epopera.org to find out more about the performance!

Open Auditions for a Child Role in 'Madama Butterfly'

WHAT: Auditions for the role of Cio-Cio San’s son
WHEN: Sat., Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: El Paso Public Library Auditorium, 501 N. Oregon St.

El Paso Opera is looking for a child to play the role of “Trouble,” the young son of Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly). This is a non-speaking, non-singing role suitable for any child interested in theater; however it does require the ability to take direction.

We're looking for a child age 6-9 who is shorter than 52 inches tall. The child will appear on stage with Emmy-winning soprano Shu-Ying Li. Rehearsals begin in early March and will extend through the Madama Butterfly performance dates of Thursday, March 10, and Saturday, March 12. The Opera will contribute $500.00 to the Texas Tomorrow Fund (http://www.texastomorrowfunds.org/), a pre-paid college tuition plan, for the child selected to play the role. This will be a great adventure for one local child.

Auditions will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2:00 p.m. downtown at the El Paso Public Library Auditorium. The library is located at 501 N. Oregon St.

Information: El Paso Opera 581-5534

12.2.10: Give the Gift of El Paso

The Gift of Opera Under the Tree

No need to give the same old gift cards this holiday season! El Paso Opera is creating commemorative gift card sets — including brochure and envelope — to make it easy to give tickets to the March 2011 production of Madama Butterfly.

The company’s return to grand opera is a wonderful, tasteful gift for anyone special in your life: loved ones, friends, co-workers or simply anyone you admire. The brochure is addressable and will include show information in an elegant holiday design.

The gift card sets will be available in English and Spanish by early December at the Opera offices Downtown and in select locations throughout El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. This week we will be at The ALFC Holidazzle Christmas Fair at the Camino Real Saturday 9am - 12pm & The Sunland Park Mall Dillards VIP event Sunday evening.

Make a lasting impression with this gift! Please call El Paso Opera at 581-5534 for more information.

Give the Gift of El Paso

Starting this week, this blog will list 23 days of gifts with El Paso flair so that you can give the gift of El Paso this holiday season. Send your gift ideas to thelisadshow@mgail.com.

3.8.10: Today's Guests

Today we're talking to a very talented singer about his career. Luis Ramos was born and raised in El Paso, TX. He attended UTSA in San Antonio as a music major. His operatic debut was singing the small role of Yamadori in "Madame Butterfly" with the San Antonio Opera. He went on to perform with the San Antonio Opera in "Elixir of Love", "The Magic Flute", "Tosca", and "Carmen". At UTSA he performed the role of Eisentstein in "Die Fledermaus", Emile Debeque in "South Pacific", and premiered a role in Seymour Barab's "God's of Mischief". He is currently a a student at UTEP where he performed the role of Don Quixote in "Man of La Mancha". Ramos will sing as a chorus soloist in El Paso Opera's "Porgy and Bess".

Win Tickets to Porgy and Bess

Everyday this week we're giving away two tickets to the opening night performance of Porgy and Bess! To win, email your answer to thelisadshow@gmail.com and if you answer correctly, your tickets will be at will call.

Question: Gershwin's Porgy & Bess is celebrating what anniversary?