Opera Theatre of the Rockies Presents the Vibrant Vocal Arts Festival

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Opera Theatre of the Rockies (OTR) is delighted to announce the annual Vocal Arts Festival. This dynamic and immersive training and performance program, founded by the esteemed operatic soprano Martile Rowland, has been a beacon of vocalist development for singers across the globe for 17 remarkable years. This year’s three-week long festival from June 26 to July 16 has three performances welcoming the community to Packard Hall on the beautiful campus of Colorado College.
 
The Vocal Arts Festival, renowned for its intensive curriculum and world-class faculty, offers participants an unparalleled opportunity to refine their skills and embark on a transformative journey into the opera world. Singers from various regions of the United States, Asia, and Europe have benefited from the Festival’s exceptional mentorship and have gone on to perform on esteemed stages worldwide.

“These students from across the state and country are about to step into the rigors of the opera world,” says Eapen Leubner, Opera Theatre executive director. “VAF is unique in that vocalists gain unique performance experience as well as individualized coaching during the renowned three-week program. And for 25 years, Martile has created performance opportunities and educational experiences that are unparalleled. We are lucky to have her in our community.”
 
The Festival is open to all serious voice students. Participants will receive intensive training in the vocal and dramatic arts with emphasis on performance. All participants have roles and chorus performances and will be joined by an array of distinguished faculty. 
 
The public has three opportunities to witness the remarkable progress of the participants with three concerts, Let’s Make a Scene, A Scenic View and Gershwin Extravaganza. These performances promise to be memorable showcases of talent and dedication.
 
Sunday, July 2 at 3 p.m. - Let’s Make a Scene
Program includes scenes from: Street Scene, Norma, Elixir of Love, Merry Wives of Windsor and Guys and Dolls
Sunday, July 9 at 3 p.m. - A Scenic View
Program includes scenes from: The Magic Flute, Glory Denied, Cosi fan tutte, The Rivals and Bye Bye Birdie.
Sunday, July 16 at 3 p.m. – Gershwin Extravaganza
 
Tickets to each individual concert are $20, but patrons can buy all three weekends and save $15 ($45 package). Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. All concerts are taking place in Packard Hall on the Colorado College Campus.
 
Additionally, on July 14 at 7 p.m., conducted by Thomas Wilson, and in partnership with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, is the Colorado premiere of Blind Injustice, written by Broadway composer Scott Davenport Richards. Blind Injustice is a new, timely, poignant and jazzy opera telling the story of the East Cleveland Five and others who were wrongfully tried, convicted, imprisoned and then later freed thanks to the work of the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP). The work is based on the casework by OIP and the book Blind Injustice by University of Cincinnati law professor and OIP Director Mark Godsey. The story as told by a small cast, chorus and 12-piece orchestra, the opera brings to life the perseverance and forgiveness of these men and women. Tickets at www.chamberorchestraofthesprings.org/blind-injustice.