Opera Breve
Our Story
The idea for Opera Breve was born out of necessity. For over 25 years, I have been instructing singers in the field of Opera and Musical Theatre. During these years, time and time again, I wouldhear the same complaint: “I can’t get an audition for something until I have more on my resume!" OR "I can’t get more on my resume unless I get an audition!” A truly daunting dilemma.
I continued to see so many talented singers who needed stagecraft and general performance skills. What to do? So, feeling a little like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney (if you are old enough to remember), I thought, “Well, why don’t I put on a show!” The seed was planted.
In addition, I have felt for many years that opera was not accessible to the average person on the street – that it was more or less an elitist art form. Most of the public have no exposure to opera on a daily basis unless some family member or music teacher has given them this gift.
Opera Breve was born with these goals:
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Brief (Just the good bits!)
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Innovative
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High standards
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Giving young and aspiring singers
a chance to build their resumes -
Accessible to the general public
These ideas took action. In 2008, Opera Breve had our first production in New York City, “Loves, Lost and Found” – an evening of operatic scenes based on a central theme - LOVE. The response was thrilling. People found the uniqueness in our company and we saw the opportunity to open the door of opera to new audiences through unique concepts and staging.
Since then, we have presented many other productions: “Dysfunction Junction” (an evening of scenes); an exciting condensed version of “Orfeo ed Euridice” by Gluck; a modern and magical depiction of “Hansel & Gretel” by Humperdinck; a December 2010 premiere, “Christmas Homecoming” in Wichita Falls, Texas; and a modern upbeat version of “Cosi fan tutte” set in a reality TV series; along with numerous concerts in and around New York City.
The inaugural season of the Opera Breve Vocal Intensive was Summer 2011 in Wichita Falls, Texas. We have continued through 2015 in Texas with outstanding performances such as “Marriage of Figaro,” “Hotel Casablanca,” “Die Zauberflöte,” and “Carousel,” to name only a few. OBVI gives these students an amazing three weeks in a safe environment to hone their skills with top instructors in the field of Opera and Musical Theater, culminating in a variety of performance opportunities. Summer 2016 takes Opera Breve ON THE ROAD throughout the U.S. offering training in the art of the audition for Opera and Musical Theater.
As Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Opera Breve, I am extremely grateful to each student who has participated and to our extraordinary faculty. Every member of the faculty has worked nationally and internationally as singers, actors, pianists, and instructors and most are from the New York professional music scene.
This year we announce our new Executive Team:
Jerry Blum – Chief Operating Officer
Ben Sheaffer – Associate Artistic Director
Antonella Delli Carpini – Director of Administration and Marketing
STAY TUNED FOR MORE EXCITING NEWS AS OPERA BREVE CONTINUES TO GROW!!!
Lenora Eve
Founder/Executive Artistic Director