The first solo production for Opera Theatre of the Rockies was a sold-out
performance of Franz Lehar's "The Merry Widow" March 5, 6
and 7 at The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Maestro Wilkins conducted
a 17-piece chamber orchestra of invited musicians, and 60 singers worked
"for the love of opera and a chance to sing" with no pay for
three months in donated church basement space, said Collins. Tickets
were $20, making opera more affordable.
Martile also directed "Hansel and Gretel," a collaborative
effort with the Colorado Springs Symphony during the holidays and a
condensed version of the "Humperdinck Opera" for area schools.
In August, she will serve as director for a three-week "Vocal Arts
Symposium," a joint effort between Opera Theatre of the Rockies
and the Colorado College Summer Session Festival of the Arts. 
Engelbert
Humperdinck's opera Hansel und Gretel, a dark but richly charming retelling
of the famous Grimm fairy tale took the stage in Colorado to the joy of
opera fans. The delightful story of Hansel and Gretel was performed in
collaboration with the Colorado Springs Symphony. 
