ORLANDO OPERA COMPANY ANNOUNCES AN EMERGENCY “CARRY THE VOICE” FUNDRAISING DRIVE.

The Board of Directors of Orland Opera Company announced today the need for an immediate fund drive to support its on-going operations through the 2009-2010 seasons. This emergency fund drive, labeled “Carry The Voice”, will not only focus on expanding Corporate donors, but will also attempt to increase donations from its regular supporters and patrons, as well as hoping to bring on new supports of the arts from the general Central Florida populace.

This “Carry The Voice” Fundraising effort target goal is $500,000, begins immediately and runs through May 31, 2009. For more information and to make a donation, go to http://www.carrythevoice.com/, or to purchase tickets for any of the upcoming performances of Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini and Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni on April, 3, 5 and 7, 2007, go to http://www.orlandoopera.org/ or call (407) 426-1700.

Sing For Your Supper… (or however you want to spend $1,000)

In the 1920s and 30s, Jazz music and dance was largely influenced by Harlem “rent parties.” To avoid eviction, residents would throw parties and charge admission. Talk about singing for your supper!

It is 2009, folks, and times are tough! The Orlando Opera Guild, a volunteer support group organized in support of Orlando Opera Company, invites you to sing for your supper, via ORLANDO IDOL… Win and you put $1,000 in your pocket—all in celebration of the art of voice!

Here’s the skinny:

Dear Friends of the Voice:
The Orlando Opera Guild is happy to announce its production of "ORLANDO IDOL." The final competition will be April 17. The Guild will award a $1,000 cash prize for First Place and a "walk on" in a future performance of Orlando Opera Company. The competition will include all singing styles such as Broadway, Blues, Country, Gospel, Opera, Pop, R&B, etc.--any two styles that showcase a performer's range and talent.

If interested or to obtain an application, please contact OrlandoIdol@gmail.com or call Georgia Williams:(407) 869-9464 or (407) 260-8103.The deadline for submission of the audition piece will be March 8, 2009. Please submit an application with a photo and a DVD, CD, or YouTube exhibit of your talent for preliminary judging. Finalists will be notified by April 1, 2009.

ORLANDO IDOL is a fundraising event to support the talented singers of Orlando Opera Company. This will be an evening of fun, entertainment, and celebration as well as an opportunity for the talented voices in our community to be recognized.

Sincerely,Barbara Robbinson
President, Orlando Opera Guild

ORLANDO IDOLVoice Competition
$1,000 Prize
Friday, April 17, 2009
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Trinity Preparatory School
5700 Trinity Prep Lane
Winter Park, FL 32792

Tickets: $15.00Audience
Voter Participation
Silent Auction

To Enter: Request an application:orlandoidol@gmail.com(407) 869 9464 - or - (407) 260 8103.
For more information, [CLICK HERE]

Orlando Idol is a fund raiser sponsored by the Orlando Opera Guild. All materials related to Orlando Idol may be copied and distributed.

New Kids on the Blog!

So, welcome to the first entry into Orlando Opera Company's blog. I'm Michelle - the goal is to get you information and behind-the-scenes info on everything that goes on with OOC. You'll hear from a few of our staffers and hopefully there will be a little behind-the-scenes gossip, as well.

Tonight's the final performance of La Cenerentola. Everyone at the office is running around preparing not only for the show, but for the load out of the show. If you're not familiar, "load out" is when the crew take apart the set and put it on trucks to leave the theatre. If it's one of our sets, we sometimes put it in our warehouse. If it's a set we've rented, the trucks hit the road and they either go back to their home or they go to another company who's renting it.

It's interesting...right now we are in the midst of so many activities that there's barely time to breathe. We are doing subscription renewals for next season, selling new subscriptions, getting ready for tonight's show, already preparing for our April show - Suor Angelica/Cavalleria Rusticana, and getting information on the 3 shows next season - things like bios, headshots, show summaries, etc...

It's an exciting time to be a part of opera in Orlando. If you're a patron, we thank you. If you're not a patron, please visit our blog and website often and we encourage you to give us a try. BTW, next season is La Boheme, Carmen, and La Traviata. We know the economy is hitting people hard, so we offer discounts to help those who wish to attend Orlando Opera.

See you at the Opera!