The Erie Opera Theatre was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to the presentation of professionally produced, full length, fully staged performances of works ranging from musical comedy to grand opera. These productions utilize professional directors, singers, artists, technicians, and the musicians of the Erie Opera Theatre Orchestra, as well as many talented amateurs, students, and volunteers.
The Opera Theatre provides opportunities for professionals and performance training for students, talented amateurs and residents of the Erie area which otherwise would be unavailable to those with an interest in and talent for operatic performance. The intention of the Erie Opera Theatre is to produce at least two productions each season.
From
its founding the Erie Opera Theatre made the commitment that all of its
productions will be only performed in English. It is the premise of the
Erie Opera Theatre as established by one its original supporters, Mr. Clarence
E. Beyers, that all of its performances are "free of admission charge"
to the public. Mr Beyers felt that anyone can learn to enjoy classical
music and opera performance, if they only have the opportunity to have
contact with it.
The
Erie Opera Theatre is an example of the growth in the quality of life found
in so many of today's American cities. It attempts to break down the barriers
which often surround opera and to make it accessible to the entire community.
Over the past years the Erie Opera Theatre has become a major participant
in the cultural life of the Erie community. The audiences have continued
to grow and the Erie Opera Theatre's presence has brought to the Erie community
not only enjoyment, but a new awareness of and interest in the opera.
The Erie Opera Theatre was founded in 1984 by Bruce Morton Wright and the late Alexander Clemente. Mr. Bruce Morton Wright, who remains the Director and Conductor of the Erie Opera Theatre is also the director of the Erie Chamber Orchestra in residency at Gannon University.
The Erie Opera Theatre Orchestra consists of professional musicians from the tri-state area who have performed to enthusiastic and expanding audiences since the founding of the Erie Opera Theatre in 1984. All of our presentations our "free of admission charge" and performed as a cultural service for the local community.
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Our year 2007 Amahl was
Devin Michael Hinchman
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Devin Michael Hinchman is a typical all-American boy. He enjoys playing electronic games, participating in a variety of sports (his favorite being soccer), helping his dad do yardwork, taking family vacations and riding his bike around the neighborhood. He's been a Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and is now active in Boy Scout Troop 133 at St. Boniface. Devin is 11 years old but will turn 12 next month. He's a seventh grader at Wattsburg Area Middle School where his favorite subject is mathematics and he sings in the school choir. While at the Wattsburg Elementary Center, Devin performed in school musicals playing various roles from a ground hog to the chief chimney sweep.
Devin's first public singing experience with a one verse solo was singing "We Three Kings" with his dad and older brother at the Community Christian Church. He was so small that he had to stand on a stool to be seen behind the pulpit. He's taken part in his church's Christmas plays every year since he was three years old. It was Sheryl Eldridge, the church pianist/organist for 1 1/2 years, who first noticed that Devin had above average singing ability. She suggested that he audition to become a member of the Cathedral of St. Paul's (Episcopal) Children's Choir. That was in August of 2003 and Devin has thrived under the direction of Choirmaster, Sharon Downey. As a member of this choir, Devin was a chorister in the Erie Opera Theatre's production of "Tosca" in May 2004. Sharon Downey is currently helping Devin learn the songs he will sing in this year's production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors."
Last year's 2007 Cast was:
Amahl - Devin Michael Hinchman
Mother –
Lydia Howery
King Kaspar – William Venable
King Melchior – John Myers
King Balthazar – James Darby
The Page –
Arthur Martone
The
Erie Opera Theatre
Erie Opera Theatre Orchestra
Director - Bruce Morton Wright
" Our Main Production - 2009 "
"Rigoletto"
by Giuseppe Verdi
Brent Weber - Stage Director
Bruce Morton Wright - Conductor
Friday, May
1, 2009 at
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
at 2:00 p.m.
Central Tech Performance
Auditorium
3325 Cherry Street, Erie,
Pennsylvania 16502
Our Last year's 2008
Main Production was:
"La Traviata"
by
Giuseppe Verdi
Brent Weber - Stage Director
Bruce Morton Wright - Conductor
Friday, May 2, 2008 at
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
Central Tech Performance Auditorium
3325 Cherry Street, Erie, Pennsylvania
For further information please contact the following web sites:
Bruce
Morton Wright, Director of Erie Opera Theatre/ Erie Chamber
Orchestra.
Clarence
E. Beyers, Supporter of the Erie Opera Theatre/ Erie Chamber
Orchestra.
Gannon
University, Residency of the Erie Chamber Orchestra/ Mr. Wright-Faculty
Member.
Erie
Chamber Orchestra, Home Page
Gannon University
The Clarence E. Beyers Music Fund of the Erie Area Fund for the Arts
Gannon University
The Arts Council of Erie
The Erie Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
The Erie Musician's Union Local 17
Local business and community contributions
Send comments, and questions to us at:
The Erie Opera Theatre is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit Organization
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This page last updated on September 1, 2008