Since the closure of the nonprofit volunteer-run Obsidian Opera Company five years ago, Bend has been in an opera lull.
Fear not Opera-fanatics, Operalicious, in partnership with The Rotary Club of Bend and End Polio Now, are bringing back a fun-infused sampler platter of favorite mini-opera bites on Saturday. For free!
“The big concept behind the concert is there is very limited, if any, opportunity for opera in Central Oregon,” said Melissa Bagwell, a soprano who will sing with baritone James Knox and soprano Jimena Shepherd at the Saturday concert. “If you want to go see anything opera right now you have to drive three hours and shell out $200 for a ticket.”
Operalicious hopes to provide a less hoity-toity experience, giving opera a hip twist that makes it accessible to more folks.
“There’s a lot of misperceptions about opera—that it’s uppity or only for people who have lots of money,” said Bagwell, who is organizing and producing the event.
The performance will include a range of arias from Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti, Bizet and Gounod performed by Bagwell, Cascade Chorale Director Knox, and Shepherd with accompanists Jean Shrader and Jonathan Shepherd on piano.
“We’re not taking ourselves too seriously here, but this is incredibly difficult music and it takes skilled singers to sing it,” said Bagwell. “The essence of the music is it is accessible. They ask questions like, ‘to cheat (or) stay faithful, ‘should I leave the hometown I love,’ or ‘am I going to get revenge on the woman who stole my boyfriend?'”
Look out, Kardashians! Who knew opera could be so deliciously trashy?
Operalicious
Free, donations accepted.
3 p.m. Saturday, March 30
First United Methodist Church, 680 Bond St.
Two Bones Are Better Than One
Show honors late jazz trombonist
For five years, Joe Rohrbacher has been putting on jazz shows in Bend, often bringing the best acts of the Northwest and beyond to venues all over town.
This 41st installation in the series features two of the top jazz trombone players in the region. Gary Shutes and John Moak will play standards and “straight ahead” jazz as the front line of a quintet with bass, piano and drums.
This jazz trombone show is more of a salute to dear friend of Rohrbacher Dana Benesch, a local jazz trombonist who passed away in December. Rohrbacher describes Benesch, who manned the door at the last Jazz at Joe’s show, as “a kind, big hearted and beautiful dude.”
Jazz at Joe’s #41
$25. 7 p.m., Saturday, March 30
Greenwood Playhouse, 148 NW Greenwood Ave.
This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2013.
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I went to North Texas State University the same time period Dana Benesch did and worked on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines with him in the early ’90s. He was much more than a beautiful dude. He was a one in a million dude who had read the writings of the elites and deeply understood what this realm really is and who controls it. He would have completely understood what is happening today because he had read books by Carroll Quigley, Dr. John Coleman, David McGowan and G Edward Griffin. Dana keenly saw the exoteric half of the playing field and the esoteric side as well, the part most all people don’t even know is there their entire lives. I believe he is here with me in spirit, guiding me. Thank you Dana! Rest in peace!