Don’t miss your chance to meet the artists and scholars behind this year’s Opera Lafayette New York Baroque Music Festival! They will engage in a stimulating conversation about the making of the three upcoming productions featured in this year’s festival, all exploring the theme of The Era of Madame de Pompadour. See full list of artists below the break.

The Roundtable will be hosted at the French Institute Alliance Française (FI:AF) in NY with coffee and pastries starting at 10:00am and the discussion beginning at 10:30am.

FI:AF Skyroom:  22 E 60th Street #1077, New York, NY 10022

*This event is free to the public but registration is requested.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at JaceChambers@Operalafayette.org

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Mathias Auclair, Scholar
Callum Blackmore, Scholar
Sylvie Bouissou, Scholar
Emmanuel de Negri, Artist
Julia Doe, Scholar
Rebecca Harris-Warrick, Scholar
Maxime Melnik, Artist
Nick Olcott, Director
Naomi Steele, Artist
(Pictured above left to right.)

New Musical Discoveries from the Era of Madame Pompadour (1745-1764)

Library of Congress
Thomas Jefferson Building, Room 119

The Library of Congress in collaboration with Opera Lafayette present French and American scholars involved with the rediscovery, completion and premieres of two significant 18th-century Opéra-ballets: Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Io and Pierre de la Garde’s Léandre et Héro. The panelists will discuss issues regarding research and editing for performance editions of operas from this period, and examine the role of great national libraries in acquiring and preserving artifacts of cultural patrimony. 

Speakers:

• Susan H. Vita, chief, Music Division, Library of Congress

• Mathias Auclair, director, Music Department, Bibliothèque Nationale de France

• Sylvie Bouissou, director of research, National Center of Scientific Research (CHRS)

• Ryan Brown, artistic director and founder, Opera Lafayette

An Evening with Machine Dazzle, Meredith Martin, Jonathan Woody, Avi Stein, and Oliver Mercer         

Moderated by Ryan Brown, founder and artistic director of Opera Lafayette

FIAF and Opera Lafayette present a musical evening delving into the striking parallels between the classic extravagance of French Rococo style and the over-the-top aesthetic of Queer Maximalism.

Join costume designer Machine Dazzle, art historian Meredith Martin, musicians Jonathan Woody, Avi Stein, and Oliver Mercer, along with moderator Ryan Brown, founder and artistic director of Opera Lafayette, for music and lively conversation. The topic of contemporary resonance will be debated, while musicians perform excerpts from Opera Lafayette’s upcoming spring production of Rameau’s comedy ballet Io, premiering in New York at the Museo del Barrio on May 9.

Please note that the event has been moved from the FIAF Skyroom to FIAF Florence Gould Hall.

Ticket Information

FIAF Members: $25
Non-Members: $30
Students with ID: $25

Venue

FIAF Florence Gould Hall
55 East 59th Street,
New York, NY 10022

Photo on left above: Taylor Mac in a work by Machine Dazzle created for A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Photo by Little Fang courtesy of Pomegranate Arts)

Join Lead Teaching Artist Julia Bengtsson (New York Baroque Dance Company Dancer), for this in-person session of Opera Starts with Oh! 

Come with us as we explore the famous French composer and the musical work of Io that was left unfinished, and will be debuted for the first time with Opera Lafayette in May in New York City and Washington, DC (tickets on sale now)!

We’ll dive into the music with professional singer, instrumentalist, actor, and director Paul Shipper, learning more about what it means to be a musician and expressing emotions through sound. Soprano and voice teacher Erinn Sensenig will take us on a journey into the arias of Rameau’s Io, offering everyone a chance to try out their own opera singing IN A REAL THEATER (see what it looks like below)! You’ll also get to create your very own costume piece to continue the fun at home. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join Lead Teaching Artist Sarah Laughland, for this in-person session of Opera Starts with Oh! We’ll explore the famous Italian composer and artist Giovanni Pergolesi and his musical works, especially his popular comedy La Servante maîtresse and his beloved Stabat Mater.

In a fun, age-appropriate way, we’ll dive into the music of La Servante maîtresse and Stabat Mater together with Violinist and Music Educator Dr. Christopher Ciampoli, and learn more about what it’s like to be a musician.

Actor and Theater Educator Kathryn Zoerb will take us on a journey into the world of Commedia dell’Arte, learning all about acting in Italy during Pergolesi’s time. We’ll even create our own characters!

At the end of the session, each child will have also created and be able to take home their very own costume piece, so they can continue the fun at home! We can’t wait to see you there!

INDIGENOUS STYLE & CLAIMS OF THE COMMON LANDS
GUESTS SILVAIN COSTUME DESIGNER PATRICIA MICHAELS & TAOS PUEBLO MEMBER

Wednesday, May 25, 6 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m. MT
VIRTUAL

Patricia Michaels, a Taos Pueblo native, and the costume designer for our production of Silvain, “took on the project of designing in part to incorporate a part of New Mexico culture she has been eager to explore through fashion. Informing her designs for the opera is the art of Spanish colonial New Mexico, ranging from carved and painted woodworking of santero artists (makers of religious imagery) to wool and cotton techniques of colcha embroidery, offering a contemporary interpretation of life and fashion during the state’s territorial period” (Hyperallergic). Joining her will be another member of the Taos Pueblo who will speak about Blue Lake and the Blanca Peak acquisitions and the culture, policies, and reclamation of common lands by Indigenous peoples. 

LAND RIGHTS OF TODAY
GUEST SCHOLAR MARIA MONDRAGON-VALDEZ & MEXICAN FILMMAKER / SILVAIN STAGE DIRECTOR TANIA HERNÁNDEZ VELASCO

Wednesday, May 18, 6 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m. MT
VIRTUAL

Maria Mondragon-Valdez (a multi-generation resident of the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant) talks to artists in the opera project about the specific ongoing land rights issues between the people of San Luis and the private owners of the Sangre de Cristo land grant, and relate it to the drama in our opera. Joining her will be Tania Hernández Velasco, known for her international, award-winning film, Titixe (2018), that will be screened May 26th at the Taos Center for the Arts (learn more).  This film follows the last harvest her family attempted before having to let go of their small piece of land, continuing the discussion of land taken from the indigenous. Silvain is her first exploration as an opera stage director, where she approaches social themes and visual motifs that dwell in her cinematic work.

SILVAIN IN 18TH CENTURY FRANCE 
GUEST SCHOLARS JUDITH MILLER & SYLVIA RODRIGUEZ 

Wednesday, May 11, 6 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m MT
VIRTUAL

Judith Miller (Emory University) joins Sylvia Rodriguez (Taos, UNM) to introduce land rights issues involving common lands first in late 18th century France (the original setting of the opera) and then during the European colonization of the southwest (the context of our updated setting of the opera).

Join Opera Lafayette and host Julia Doe, for this three-part online Salon Series about Marie Antoinette, an incredible woman in history who shaped much of French musical tastes in the 18th century and inspired our 2022 musical season (get tickets). Each session will feature a unique look into her life, led by different guest scholars weekly.

MARIE ANTOINETTE'S MUSICAL LEGACIES - WITH GUEST SCHOLAR REBECCA GEOFFROY-SCHWINDEN

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 6 PM EST

This presentation will explore the political repercussions of Marie Antoinette's musical practices during her lifetime and beyond. We will begin with a discussion of how the Parisian public interpreted her musical choices on the eve of the French Revolution. Then, we will meet her first lady-in-waiting, Madame Campan, who, after narrowly escaping the guillotine, dared to carry on Marie Antoinette's musical legacy in an elite school for girls. Finally, we will delve into the personal and practical significance of music-making for women in the wake of Marie Antoinette's death, as Napoleon tried to silence them legally and literally. In this context, Marie Antoinette became an icon as well as a cautionary tale, and we shall learn how music was implicated in both.

Join us outside at Tregaron Conservancy, a wonderful public park situated between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park near the Zoo.  Together, we’ll rotate through each guest artists’ different activities as we as we dive deeper into Gretry’s Silvain and learn about dancing, singing, and musical instruments that all work to bring the opera to life. We will even be making our own musical Easter Egg Maracas, and each child will get a fun Coloring/Activity Booklet to continue the fun at home!  We are pleased to welcome back Guest Artists Sarah Laughland (dance), Patrick Kilbride (tenor) and introduce new Guest Artist Penelope Musto (cello)!  

Going Back to the Land!
April 16th @ 10:45AM - 12:00PM
Guest Artists: Sarah Laughland, Patrick Kilbride, and Penelope Musto
IN-PERSON:
Tregaron Conservancy
3100 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC 20008

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

Join Opera Lafayette and host Julia Doe, for this three-part online Salon Series about Marie Antoinette, an incredible woman in history who shaped much of French musical tastes in the 18th century and inspired our 2022 musical season (get tickets). Each session will feature a unique look into her life, led by different guest scholars weekly.

MUSIC AT MARIE ANTOINETTE’S VERSAILLES – WITH GUEST HOST JULIA DOE

Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 6 PM EST

This presentation will offer a deeper dive into Marie Antoinette’s activities as a musical performer and patron. We’ll first detail how music infused Marie Antoinette’s private life at Versailles, addressing the queen’s vocal and instrumental training, her salon concerts, and her participation in amateur theatricals at the Petit Trianon. We’ll then consider how Marie Antoinette’s artistic preferences influenced the broader evolution of French musical style, examining her relationships with key composers of the Enlightenment, and her impact on the ceremonial repertory of the Bourbon court.

Join Lead Teaching Artist, Omar Cruz, for this In-Person session of Opera Starts with Oh! exploring the opera Silvain by André Grétry! 

Silvain was one of Grétry’s most famous operas! This opera focuses on the themes of family conflict and reconciliation.  It follows the story of Silvain, who works as a poor farmer after being disinherited by his rich father for marrying a lower-class woman. Silvain is a great example of opéra-comique (opera with both speaking and signing parts) which was a popular style during the 1700s!   

Gretry’s Silvain
IN-PERSON
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Let’s dive deeper into Silvain and learn about all the aspects that bring it to life! We are pleased to welcome back Guest Artists: Sarah Laughland, Jeannette Christensen, and Rachel Felstein!  Together, we’ll rotate through each room’s different activities, which will include dance, costume design, and opera singing as it relates to Silvain! 

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

Join Opera Lafayette and host Julia Doe, for this three-part online Salon Series about Marie Antoinette, an incredible woman in history who shaped much of French musical tastes in the 18th century and inspired our 2022 musical season (get tickets). Each session will feature a unique look into her life, led by different guest scholars weekly.

MARIE ANTOINETTE, QUEEN OF FASHION – WITH GUEST SCHOLAR CAROLINE WEBER

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 6 PM EST

This presentation will focus on Marie Antoinette’s role as a tastemaker across a variety of media, extending from music to fashion and the decorative arts to garden design, and it will examine the changing political backdrop against which her stylistic choices were made. 

Join Lead Teaching Artist, Omar Cruz, in this online session of Opera Starts with Oh! exploring the opera Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell! 

Dido and Aeneas is a mythical story about the love and betrayal of Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the Trojan Hero! This opera, is one of the earliest known English operas and was Purcell’s only true opera as it was completely sung meaning it had no talking at all. It is commonly considered Purcell’s greatest theatrical works!

‘Oft She Visits This Lone Mountain’

How do opera singers prepare themselves for these signing roles, representing the characters only through song? Guest Artist and Professional Opera Singer, Cathy Thorpe, will take us through a few arias from the opera and demonstrate how opera singers express emotions and bring their characters to life!

Join us as we dive deeper into the songs and learn about the stories they represent!

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

Join Lead Teaching Artist, Omar Cruz, in this two-part online workshop of The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell – an anonymous adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

The Fairy Queen is a story of myth, secrecy, love, and mystery! This opera, first performed in 1692 (over 300 years ago!), is commonly considered a “semi-opera” or play/opera hybrid because it includes not only operatic numbers, but musical numbers and speaking scenes as well.

In this week’s session we explore Creating Characters with Guest Artist David Connolly, a professional Shakespearean actor, who will use text from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to lead us on an exploration of Character Creations and how actors bring them to life on stage!

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

Join us for conversations about The Infamous Rosalie, a novel set in colonial Saint-Domingue written by Évelyn Trouillot, one of Haiti’s great contemporary writers. In our meetings, we’ll explore the themes of slavery, resistance, and motherhood taken up in the novel, talk about the historical events and contexts depicted in it, and think through the style and structure of the work as an example of Caribbean literature. Together, we’ll gain a better sense of the worlds that shaped the music that will be performed in Opera Lafayette’s presentation of Concert Spirituel aux Caraïbes coming to DC and NY June 2022 (Get tickets).

Each week, we’ll read two chapters of the novel. This final session will be on chapters 5 & 6.

Join us for conversations about The Infamous Rosalie, a novel set in colonial Saint-Domingue written by Évelyn Trouillot, one of Haiti’s great contemporary writers. In our meetings, we’ll explore the themes of slavery, resistance, and motherhood taken up in the novel, talk about the historical events and contexts depicted in it, and think through the style and structure of the work as an example of Caribbean literature. Together, we’ll gain a better sense of the worlds that shaped the music that will be performed in Opera Lafayette’s presentation of Concert Spirituel aux Caraïbes coming to DC and NY June 2022 (Get tickets).

Each week, we’ll read two chapters of the novel. This session will be on chapters 3 & 4.

Join Lead Teaching Artist, Omar Cruz, in this two-part online workshop of The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell – an anonymous adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

The Fairy Queen is a story of myth, secrecy, love, and mystery! This opera, first performed in 1692 (over 300 years ago!), is commonly considered a “semi-opera” or play/opera hybrid because it includes not only operatic numbers, but musical numbers and speaking scenes as well.

In this week’s session we explore Magical Designs Fit for a Fairy with Guest Artist Jeannette Christensen, a professional costume designer, who will lead us on an exploration of fairy costume, discussing the details that make up a fairy persona, and how to make our own designs using materials we might already have at home! 

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

Join us for conversations about The Infamous Rosalie, a novel set in colonial Saint-Domingue written by Évelyn Trouillot, one of Haiti’s great contemporary writers. In our meetings, we’ll explore the themes of slavery, resistance, and motherhood taken up in the novel, talk about the historical events and contexts depicted in it, and think through the style and structure of the work as an example of Caribbean literature. Together, we’ll gain a better sense of the worlds that shaped the music that will be performed in Opera Lafayette’s presentation of Concert Spirituel aux Caraïbes coming to DC and NY June 2022 (Get tickets).

Each week, we’ll read two chapters of the novel. This session will be on chapters 1 & 2.

Join Omar Cruz (Lead Teaching Artist) in the second of a two-part workshop for children on L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi-- an opera based on the Ancient Greek story of Orpheus and Eurydice! Within this dynamic story we will explore the topics of music and dance , artforms the Ancient Greeks believed to be gifts from the Gods to help them appreciate the beautiful parts of life.

This week we will explore how music made the lives of Ancient Greeks more enjoyable with Guest Artist Zuleinette Ralat. More about her below.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

MEET ZULEINETTE, GUEST ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Zuleinette Ralat is a Puerto Rican multidisciplinary bilingual artist and educator located in New York and traveling frequently to her hometown of Puerto Rico. Studied at the Escuela Libre de Música of Hato Rey and graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with degrees in Music Education and Political Science. She completed training in dancing, singing and acting. While in New York, she has worked with director Luis Salgado and his organisation R.evolución Latina, as well as the Teatro LATEA and Teatro Pregones (PRTT). Is currently a company member and teaching artist at Teatro SEA and also works with People's Theatre Project and Bilingual Birdies. Her most recent self produce works include Respira, Quien no ha amado, nunca ha vivido and La Clase (MicroTheatre NYC). Other productions include Azul, otra vez (BRIC) La Plenopera del Empache, The Pura Belpré Project (Teatro SEA), and El Principito (Republik Teatro Production), performance that earned her an ACE award. She has also been nominated for an ATI Awards and awarded two LATA and an HOLA.

Join Omar Cruz (Lead Teaching Artist) in the first of a two-part workshop for children on L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi-- an opera based on the Ancient Greek story of Orpheus and Eurydice! Within this dynamic story we will explore the topics of music and dance. 

This week we will explore dance and how it was an important art form for the Ancient Greeks because they believed it was a gift from the Gods to help them appreciate the beautiful parts of life. 

Guest Artist Sarah Laughland (more below) will lead us on an exploration of Ancient Greek Dances!  

While one session is enriching for kids, we suggest they participate for the entire month to learn about the story.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist Omar Cruz and a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Register for the session below - based on a pay-what-you-can model!

MEET SARAH, GUEST ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Sarah is a performer, photographer, and dance educator & choreographer. She lives & works between the Washington DC area and Southwest Virginia after spending 5 years at Barter Theatre (Abingdon, VA), where she performed in 33 plays & musicals. In the DC area, she most recently performed at Imagination Stage (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe) and Theatre J (Lovesick). She currently teaches dance for multiple studios around the region. She adores learning, and is constantly striving for new and improved ways to move, strengthen, & communicate. She holds her B.A. in Music Theatre from Seton Hill University.

Journey to the underworld through music and song as we learn about how the talented musician Orpheus set out on a journey to save his love Euridice.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Guest Artist: Flutist Delandria Mills

Flutist, Songwriter, Educator, and Author Delandria Mills is carving a place in the music industry with her unique combination of jazz, classical, and gospel music. A native of Houston, Texas, Delandria earned her undergraduate music bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University and two graduate degrees from The Peabody Conservatory of Music: a master’s degree in classical flute and a graduate performance diploma in jazz. As a classical flutist, she has served as principal flutist of the Baytown Symphony and assistant/associate principal flutist while at Peabody. She is the author of a new book about a preteen discovering the world of sound and music around her. Demi's Flute fills the hearts of young music students and others alike, who are learning to express themselves while finding value and substance in the world around them. For readers between the ages of nine and thirteen, but a fun read for all ages. In the Summer of 2019 the picture book version of Demi's Flute, for younger readers, was released.   

Journey to the underworld through music and song as we learn about how the talented musician Orpheus set out on a journey to save his love Euridice. This week’s Guest Artist: Soprano Teresa Castillo.

While any one session is engaging and enriching as a drop-in, we encourage you to sign up for all sessions in the series to follow the full story and learn all the elements that bring it to life.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Guest Artist: Soprano Teresa Castillo

Costa Rican-American Soprano Teresa Castillo, has been hailed by the San Francisco Gate as a “standout, bringing [vocal] power and florid elegance,” and by Opera News for exhibiting “a clean, concentrated sound, and a lovely, intelligent musicianship.” Teresa has performed the title role of Guonod’s Romeo et Juliette. Recent competition prizes include the Cooper-Bing Competition, the George London Foundation, the Mildred Miller International Voice Competition, Opera Index Competition, The Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition and the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition.

Join us for a transforming story about love and art as we learn about a sculptor's creation that comes to life through story-telling and sculpting. This. week’s guest artist is scenic designer and artist Vincent Gunn.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Guest Artist: Vincent Gunn

Vincent is a New York based scenic designer and scenic artist. Select design credits: Thunder Rock (Metropolitan Playhouse),The Drowsy Chaperone (St. Bart’s Players), The Yellow Wallpaper (IRT Theatre), A Bright Room Called Day (Stella Adler), Murder for Two (New London Barn Playhouse). He assisted Reid Thompson in creating statues forLa Susanna at Opera Lafayette/BAM Fischer. Vincent has assisted designers at venues such as the New York Philharmonic, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Roundabout Black Box. He can most recently be found painting murals at the American Dream Mall.

Photo Credit: New York Baroque Dance Company, Justin Coates

Join us for a transforming story about love and art as we learn about a sculptor's creation that comes to life through story-telling and sculpting with guest artist, dramaturg Peregrine Heard.

While any one session is engaging and enriching as a drop-in, we encourage you to sign up for all sessions in the series follow the full story and learn all the elements that bring it to life.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

guest artist and dramaturg Peregrine Heard

Photo Credit: New York Baroque Dance Company, Justin Coates

Journey to an enchanting land with this opera-ballet filled with fairies, gnomes and muses through dance and costume design with professional costume designer Anna Kjellsdotter.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Guest Artist: Costume Designer Anna Kjellsdotter

Anna Kjellsdotter is a Swedish costume designer and cutter specialized in historical costumes and research all over the world. After a few years at Hong Kong ballet as head of costume department  she is now working at the Royal Swedish Opera.

Throughout the years Anna has been working more and more with costume design for stage and  Swedish television. 

Journey to an enchanting land with this opera-ballet filled with fairies, gnomes and muses through dance and costume design with professional Baroque dancer Julia Bengtsson.

While any one session is engaging and enriching as a drop-in, we encourage you to sign up for all sessions in the series to follow the full story and learn all the elements that bring it to life.

About Opera Starts with Oh!

Opera Starts with Oh! is a series of educational lessons created by Opera Lafayette to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artists and joined by a new guest artist for every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children pre-k and up. More about the program here.

Featuring Guest Artist: Dancer Julia Bengtsson

Swedish-born dancer and choreographer Julia Bengtsson came to New York in 2012 to immerse herself in diverse opportunities that have ranged from classical ballet and experimental theater, to baroque opera and film. She has choreographed and performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, UN Headquarters, Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, and Alvin Ailey Dance Center. 

Bengtsson performed in her first Baroque Opera in 2010 under director Karin Modigh and has since performed in European and American productions by New York Baroque Dance Company.

Photo Credit: Julia Bengtsson / Paul Brissman

About the Full Series: Making a Cowboy Opera : The Blacksmith Salon Series 

Join us for this three-part online salon series as we take you behind-the-scenes of Opera Lafayette’s critically acclaimed, modern premiere of Philidor’s The Blacksmith (2020, Mancos, CO). Set in front of a historic Blacksmith shop and barn, Artistic Director Ryan Brown’s family ranch was the perfect first venue for this one-of-a-kind production. Hear from experts and the artists themselves about how this 18th-century French opéra comique was conceptualized, adapted and translated into a 19th-century American West. 

Unable to attend the opera in person? We have an On Demand version available for streaming half off with the purchase of this series. You can also look at our documentary with Rocky Mountain PBS. 

About the Full Series: Making a Cowboy Opera : The Blacksmith Salon Series 

Join us for this three-part online salon series as we take you behind-the-scenes of Opera Lafayette’s critically acclaimed, modern premiere of Philidor’s The Blacksmith (2020, Mancos, CO). Set in front of a historic Blacksmith shop and barn, Artistic Director Ryan Brown’s family ranch was the perfect first venue for this one-of-a-kind production. Hear from experts and the artists themselves about how this 18th-century French opéra comique was conceptualized, adapted and translated into a 19th-century American West. 

Unable to attend the opera in person? We have an On Demand version available for streaming half off with the purchase of this series. You can also look at our documentary with Rocky Mountain PBS. 

Praised by The Washington Post, Washington Parent, and on Austin Public Radio, Opera Starts with Oh Online! is back.

This free family program by Opera Lafayette was created to introduce young audiences to the magic of opera! Led by teaching artist, choreographer, and dancer Tamrin Goldberg, and featuring new guest artists every unit, Opera Starts with Oh! is perfect for families with children three and up!

About this Unit: How the West was Sung featuring Philidor’s The Blacksmith

Join Tamrin Goldberg (teaching artist, choreographer, and dancer) with a soon-to-be-announced guest artist for this session exploring Opera Lafayette’s production of The Blacksmith. Adapted and translated from an 18th-century French opera comique called Le maréchal ferrant, this light-hearted, cowboy tale is now set in the 19th-century American West and incorporates sing-along American folk songs alongside French arias.

ADMISSION IS A PAY WHAT YOU CAN STRUCTURE.