Opera Roanoke Brings Opera to the Streets

As part of a new advertising campaign, designed to expand its reach and broaden its audience, Opera Roanoke will offer free live performances in the downtown market area.

Roanoke, VA (PRWEB) September 4, 2004 -- Although the concept is new to the Roanoke area, street performances of this nature have been a longstanding tradition in places such as Italy, the birthplace of opera. Today, New York Citys world-famous Metropolitan Opera offers similar outdoor performances to audiences in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and New Jersey.

Roanoke will take part in this rich tradition beginning September 13, 15 and 17th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with performances from Rigoletto, Opera Roanokes upcoming main stage production. In addition to these selections, the concert will also feature songs from various traditional and contemporary operas.

Downtown Roanoke offers a unique entertainment venue and we welcome Opera Roanoke to the Historic Roanoke City Market area," says David Diaz, Executive Director for Downtown Roanoke Inc. Our downtown district is one of the best places in Southwest Virginia for the community to gather, eat, shop, and be entertained outdoors. And we hope to bring more events of this nature, to the market area during daytime hours."

Drew Dowdy, a 27 year-old bass baritone, first gained exposure with Opera Roanoke, performing in nearly a dozen chorus roles before moving on to larger solo roles. The upcoming performance of Rigoletto marks his 10-year anniversary and 20th production with the company. Dowdy has sung in productions of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Romeo and Juliet as the Prince of Verona, Side by Side by Sondheim and Mozarts The Impresario. He has also sung with the Blacksburg Master Chorale as its baritone soloist and has performed as a guest artist in several local churches. Dowdy is equally committed to the education of young performers. He has taught several drama courses and has been one of Opera Roanokes educational outreach performers.

Through this event, downtown patrons will have a rare opportunity to see and hear quality opera free of charge. Organizers believe these performances will help educate those unfamiliar with opera, helping them see that it is accessible, approachable and affordable, with individual ticket prices to Opera Roanoke starting at $16.

Written by 19th Century composer Giuseppe Verdi, Rigoletto is the story of a father and his beautiful daughter who get caught in a web of fateful curses, undeniable passion, and treacherous deceit. Only by the storys end, is the true cost of revenge revealed.

Opera Roanoke performs Rigoletto at the Jefferson Center September 24, 8 p.m., September 26, 3 p.m. and September 28, 7:30 p.m.

Now in its 28th season, Opera Roanoke continues to capture listeners and viewers with performances that combine music and drama to portray lifes passion, sorrow and revenge.

For more information, call 982.2742 or visit www.operaroanoke.org.

For more information, contact:
Christina Motley            
The OConnor Group             
540.342.1889               
christina.motley@adoconnor.com      

Ron Kastner
Opera Roanoke
540.982.2742
rkastner@operaroanoke.org
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