Press Releases Cyrano Fever Abounds as Opera Company of Philadelphia Ramps Up for East Coast Premiere of Newly-Created Opera! 01-21-2008 For Immediate Release: January 18, 2007 Contact: Tracy C. Galligher215-893-3600 x204galligher@operaphila.org Cyrano Fever Abounds as Opera Company of Philadelphia Ramps Up for East Coast Premiere of Newly-Created Opera! Philadelphia, PA: Grab your Valentine, because the Opera Company of Philadelphia challenges you, Philadelphia, to unleash your romantic spirit just in time for February! Entries are currently being accepted for the Ultimate Love Letter Contest as we gear up for the East Coast Premiere of Cyrano, based on the famed literary classic Cyrano de Bergerac. Dust off your old love letters or find inspiration for a new one, because one lucky winner will be treated to the perfect Valentine’s Day gift! On Friday, February 15th, the Grand Prize winners will be picked up in a limousine, kindly donated by Preferred Car & Limousine, then whisked to a 6:00 p.m. dinner generously hosted by internationally-renowned Le Bec-Fin. They will then report to their box seats to Cyrano and enjoy a champagne reception. Entries are being accepted online until Friday, February 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at www.operaphila.org/loveletter/, where more details about the contest may be found. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 6th, with two runners-up receiving prime tickets to the opera and a champagne reception. A host of exciting events lead up to this special event, the second East Coast Premiere at the Opera Company of Philadelphia in only two years. Events include a screening of the Academy Award-winning 1990 film Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Gerard Depardieu, at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on January 30th and the broadcast of a documentary on The Making of Cyrano on WHYY-TV12 on Sunday, February 3rd at 10:30 p.m. The lush, soaring melodies of this new Cyrano, composed by David DiChiera with a libretto by Bernard Uzan, will be sampled at A Taste of Opera lecture on Sunday, February 3rd, while the daring swordplay will be demonstrated by celebrated Fight Director Christopher Barbeau at the Shops at Liberty Place on February 5th. A full listing of events follows. And for those who can’t get enough Cyrano, visit the Opera Company’s Sixth Annual Academy of Music Open House Tour on Saturday, February 16th, when we throw open the doors to our home and let our community members learn everything about the opera from how the costumes are made to what it feels like to stand in the orchestra pit or on the lavish set of Cyrano! Cyrano runs February 8, 10m, 13, 15 & 17m, and features charismatic Romanian baritone Marian Pop in the title role as the swashbuckling poet, alongside Philadelphia’s own Academy of Vocal Arts grads-turned-international-stars Evelyn Pollock and Stephen Costello in leading roles. For tickets, call 215-893-1018, or visit www.operaphila.org. Audio clips, photos of the production and background on the opera can be found at www.operaphila.org. Cyrano is generously underwritten by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the East Coast Premiere Production Sponsor. The Opera Company 2007-2008 Season is sponsored by Advanta. EVENT CALENDAR “Ultimate Love Letters Contest!”Celebrity judges include Hall of Fame “Voice of the Phillies” Harry Kalas; 6ABC/Action News Anchor Tamala Edwards; B101 Radio Personality Dan Blackman; and the stunning Roxane herself, soprano Evelyn Pollock. Visit www.operaphila.org/loveletter/ to learn more about this exciting contest that runs now through February 1st. Special thanks to B101 for their support of this promotion, and to Le Bec-Fin and Preferred Car & Limousine for making the Grand Prize possible. Opera Company: Lunch at the BellevueStop by the Bellevue Gourmet Food Court during lunch hour on Friday, January 25th and see photos of the production of Cyrano, and enter to win tickets to this exciting East Coast Premiere! Cyrano de Bergerac at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute Brush up on the classic Cyrano story as the Opera Company of Philadelphia joins with the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. to present the stunning 1990 Academy Award-winning film, Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Gerard Depardieu. OCP’s Director of Community Programs Michael Bolton will be on hand to discuss the film and the opera. For complete ticket information, visit www.brynmawrfilm.org or call 610-527-4008 ext. 109. Bryn Mawr Film Institute; 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA. A Taste of Opera: CyranoAre you hungry to learn more about opera? Then join us for A Taste of Opera on Sunday, February 3, 2008 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. as we prepare for the East Coast Premiere of David DiChiera and Bernard Uzan’s lushly romantic new opera, Cyrano. The program includes the Philadelphia premiere of “The Making of Cyrano” 30-minute documentary about the opera and a program of musical highlights performed by Cyrano cast members and OCP Artistic Coordinator Laurie Rogers. No reservations are required to attend A Taste of Opera. The program is open to the public, so bring a friend! For more information, visit www.operaphila.org/community.Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue; Broad and Walnut Streets “The Making of Cyrano” – WHYY-TV12Tune in to WHYY-TV12 on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. and get the backstory on how a World Premiere Opera comes together from the very first notes of the score and the very first sketch of the scenery with “The Making of CYRANO.” Join composer David DiChiera, librettist Bernard Uzan, and the collaborating partners in Philadelphia, Detroit and Miami as they take you on the journey of the realization of this stunning, 17th-Century romantic work. How to Be a Swashbuckler!: Fight Director Christopher Barbeau at Liberty PlaceStop by for presentations on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. as Maestro Christopher Barbeau, one of the nation’s foremost fight choreographers, demonstrates the art of stage swordplay at the Shops at Liberty Place. For every minute of music, Cyrano required 20 hours of fight training and choreography – it’s not as easy as it looks! Bring your lunch and enjoy the show! EAST COAST PREMIERE AND OPENING NIGHT OF CYRANO: February 8, 2008The Opera Company of Philadelphia proudly hosts the much-anticipated East Coast Premiere of Cyrano – the only company where the work will be heard in 2008. For information on the Gala Premiere dinner with the composer, please e-mail gala@operaphila.org. Curtain time: 8:00 p.m. Subsequent performances: February 10m, 13, 15 & 17m, 2008. Tickets: $7- $205 at 215-893-1018 or www.operaphila.org. Sixth Annual Academy of Music Open House TourThe Opera Company of Philadelphia invites you to a special glimpse behind the footlights on Saturday, February 16, 2008 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. during the Opera Company’s Sixth Annual Open House Tour. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be on the Academy of Music stage, or what a magnificent opera set looks like up-close, this is your chance to find out! The tour is self-guided. We’ll give you a map of the Academy with exhibit stations and their descriptions; you decide what you want to see and how to proceed through the Academy. The event is offered free of charge, so bring a friend or loved one! For more information, visit www.operaphila.org/community. This event is free and open to the public. No reservations required. Please use the Main Entrance of the Academy of Music on Broad Street. -##-
Press Releases
For Immediate Release: January 18, 2007
Contact: Tracy C. Galligher215-893-3600 x204galligher@operaphila.org
Cyrano Fever Abounds as Opera Company of Philadelphia Ramps Up for East Coast Premiere of Newly-Created Opera!
Philadelphia, PA: Grab your Valentine, because the Opera Company of Philadelphia challenges you, Philadelphia, to unleash your romantic spirit just in time for February!
Entries are currently being accepted for the Ultimate Love Letter Contest as we gear up for the East Coast Premiere of Cyrano, based on the famed literary classic Cyrano de Bergerac. Dust off your old love letters or find inspiration for a new one, because one lucky winner will be treated to the perfect Valentine’s Day gift! On Friday, February 15th, the Grand Prize winners will be picked up in a limousine, kindly donated by Preferred Car & Limousine, then whisked to a 6:00 p.m. dinner generously hosted by internationally-renowned Le Bec-Fin. They will then report to their box seats to Cyrano and enjoy a champagne reception.
Entries are being accepted online until Friday, February 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at www.operaphila.org/loveletter/, where more details about the contest may be found. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 6th, with two runners-up receiving prime tickets to the opera and a champagne reception.
A host of exciting events lead up to this special event, the second East Coast Premiere at the Opera Company of Philadelphia in only two years. Events include a screening of the Academy Award-winning 1990 film Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Gerard Depardieu, at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on January 30th and the broadcast of a documentary on The Making of Cyrano on WHYY-TV12 on Sunday, February 3rd at 10:30 p.m. The lush, soaring melodies of this new Cyrano, composed by David DiChiera with a libretto by Bernard Uzan, will be sampled at A Taste of Opera lecture on Sunday, February 3rd, while the daring swordplay will be demonstrated by celebrated Fight Director Christopher Barbeau at the Shops at Liberty Place on February 5th. A full listing of events follows.
And for those who can’t get enough Cyrano, visit the Opera Company’s Sixth Annual Academy of Music Open House Tour on Saturday, February 16th, when we throw open the doors to our home and let our community members learn everything about the opera from how the costumes are made to what it feels like to stand in the orchestra pit or on the lavish set of Cyrano!
Cyrano runs February 8, 10m, 13, 15 & 17m, and features charismatic Romanian baritone Marian Pop in the title role as the swashbuckling poet, alongside Philadelphia’s own Academy of Vocal Arts grads-turned-international-stars Evelyn Pollock and Stephen Costello in leading roles. For tickets, call 215-893-1018, or visit www.operaphila.org.
Audio clips, photos of the production and background on the opera can be found at www.operaphila.org.
Cyrano is generously underwritten by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the East Coast Premiere Production Sponsor. The Opera Company 2007-2008 Season is sponsored by Advanta.
EVENT CALENDAR
“Ultimate Love Letters Contest!”Celebrity judges include Hall of Fame “Voice of the Phillies” Harry Kalas; 6ABC/Action News Anchor Tamala Edwards; B101 Radio Personality Dan Blackman; and the stunning Roxane herself, soprano Evelyn Pollock. Visit www.operaphila.org/loveletter/ to learn more about this exciting contest that runs now through February 1st. Special thanks to B101 for their support of this promotion, and to Le Bec-Fin and Preferred Car & Limousine for making the Grand Prize possible.
Opera Company: Lunch at the BellevueStop by the Bellevue Gourmet Food Court during lunch hour on Friday, January 25th and see photos of the production of Cyrano, and enter to win tickets to this exciting East Coast Premiere!
Cyrano de Bergerac at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute Brush up on the classic Cyrano story as the Opera Company of Philadelphia joins with the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. to present the stunning 1990 Academy Award-winning film, Cyrano de Bergerac, starring Gerard Depardieu. OCP’s Director of Community Programs Michael Bolton will be on hand to discuss the film and the opera. For complete ticket information, visit www.brynmawrfilm.org or call 610-527-4008 ext. 109. Bryn Mawr Film Institute; 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA.
A Taste of Opera: CyranoAre you hungry to learn more about opera? Then join us for A Taste of Opera on Sunday, February 3, 2008 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. as we prepare for the East Coast Premiere of David DiChiera and Bernard Uzan’s lushly romantic new opera, Cyrano. The program includes the Philadelphia premiere of “The Making of Cyrano” 30-minute documentary about the opera and a program of musical highlights performed by Cyrano cast members and OCP Artistic Coordinator Laurie Rogers. No reservations are required to attend A Taste of Opera. The program is open to the public, so bring a friend!
For more information, visit www.operaphila.org/community.Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue; Broad and Walnut Streets
“The Making of Cyrano” – WHYY-TV12Tune in to WHYY-TV12 on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. and get the backstory on how a World Premiere Opera comes together from the very first notes of the score and the very first sketch of the scenery with “The Making of CYRANO.” Join composer David DiChiera, librettist Bernard Uzan, and the collaborating partners in Philadelphia, Detroit and Miami as they take you on the journey of the realization of this stunning, 17th-Century romantic work.
How to Be a Swashbuckler!: Fight Director Christopher Barbeau at Liberty PlaceStop by for presentations on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. as Maestro Christopher Barbeau, one of the nation’s foremost fight choreographers, demonstrates the art of stage swordplay at the Shops at Liberty Place. For every minute of music, Cyrano required 20 hours of fight training and choreography – it’s not as easy as it looks! Bring your lunch and enjoy the show!
EAST COAST PREMIERE AND OPENING NIGHT OF CYRANO: February 8, 2008The Opera Company of Philadelphia proudly hosts the much-anticipated East Coast Premiere of Cyrano – the only company where the work will be heard in 2008. For information on the Gala Premiere dinner with the composer, please e-mail gala@operaphila.org. Curtain time: 8:00 p.m. Subsequent performances: February 10m, 13, 15 & 17m, 2008. Tickets: $7- $205 at 215-893-1018 or www.operaphila.org.
Sixth Annual Academy of Music Open House TourThe Opera Company of Philadelphia invites you to a special glimpse behind the footlights on Saturday, February 16, 2008 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. during the Opera Company’s Sixth Annual Open House Tour. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be on the Academy of Music stage, or what a magnificent opera set looks like up-close, this is your chance to find out! The tour is self-guided. We’ll give you a map of the Academy with exhibit stations and their descriptions; you decide what you want to see and how to proceed through the Academy. The event is offered free of charge, so bring a friend or loved one!
For more information, visit www.operaphila.org/community. This event is free and open to the public. No reservations required. Please use the Main Entrance of the Academy of Music on Broad Street.
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