Circuit Presents its First-Ever Touring Artist, with Opera for Families
Tour revives Silver Rush tradition of traveling artists while addressing contemporary issues
Join us this fall as the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit revives a Silver Rush tradition in the Colorado arts. Partner Central City Opera (CCO) will tour the Circuit and present special programs at multiple opera houses. This is CCO’s first tour since 2019.
Ouray Hosts First Opera in Years, and Frida Kahlo Inspires Youth
The tour will bring the first opera in recent memory to the Wright Opera House in Ouray:
Opera-on-the-Go offers opera and musical theatre favorites, with songs about nature, songs about liberty, songs by women composers, and more. A Q&A session with the singers and pianist follows this 40-minute concert. Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for students.
The family program Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, designed for elementary school students, shares the true story of a Mexican girl named Mariana. She asks the famous painter Frida Kahlo to paint her portrait and is inspired to live bravely and boldly, just like Frida. CCO’s bilingual (Spanish/English) teaching artists will lead a question-and-answer session and activities after the show. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. $15 for adults, $5 for students, includes free popcorn and lemonade.
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Tabor Opera House Hosts Opera to Address Mental Health for Adolescents
The Tabor Opera House in Leadville will host CHIAROSCURO: Light in Darkness, an opera designed to address mental health and suicide prevention among adolescents, on for Lake County High School students. This innovative opera uses operatic stories to explore issues such as bullying, trauma, and social dynamics, offering a new approach to addressing mental health concerns through storytelling and music. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, for local students.
Wheeler Opera House Presents Frida Kahlo in Roaring Fork Valley Schools
The Wheeler Opera House in Aspen will present Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World in schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, in an innovative partnership and outreach effort while the Wheeler’s main stage is closed for replacement of the theatrical rigging. Oct. 22-24, for local students.
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Shows Revive Silver Rush Traditions
These first-of-their-kind modern-day performances continue the legacy of Colorado’s Silver Circuit, which brought traveling artists to opera houses in mountain communities from 1890 to 1944. The Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit, formed in 2021, seeks to preserve this tradition while addressing contemporary social issues through the arts.
What the Partners Say about these New Offerings
“CCO developed its touring program to enhance existing academic curriculum and to promote inclusive lifelong learning,” said Meg Osaki Graves, MDA, CDI, the senior director of Education & Community Engagement at Central City Opera. “We are excited to strengthen our collaboration with our Circuit partners by sharing these shows to audiences throughout the state.”
Much of the opera houses’ programming centers on live music of all kinds, theater, comedy, and dance, and the Frida Kahlo programming is designed especially for families.
“Circuit partners are dedicated to welcoming everyone into these historic spaces,” said Kate Jones, programming director of the Wright Opera House. “The Frida Kahlo show gives us an additional option to share the arts and Colorado history with young audiences in a show with a bilingual component.”
"We’re excited to partner once again with Roaring Fork Valley Schools, this time introducing students to a brand-new opera experience designed specifically for young audiences,” said Malia Machado, programs and outreach coordinator for the Wheeler Opera House. “While we’ve collaborated on outreach in the past, this unique opportunity offers an exciting new avenue. We look forward to building lasting connections with schools and students, as well as sharing many memorable performances and educational experiences together in the future.”
Come See Us
Please join us for these programs and much more. Check our calendar for a full list of upcoming events on the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit.
