Milwaukee native looking to revolutionize the operatic scene beginning with a fresh take on the operatic repertoire What is the Floating Opera Project? Why now?
As a musician, I have become increasingly interested in the merits of outreach and touring companies; it is my dream to create a traveling opera, an organization that brings communities together through musical excellence, while making opera - one of the 21st century's most misunderstood yet relevant art forms - accessible in a whole new way. Over the past year, I've been a part of over 14 opera p
roductions and my artistic team is in one place. I finally have the experience and the support to take on this project. In the future, I plan to incorporate the Floating Opera Project and reach 501c3 status. What? Where? When? Who? For the first production, I chose Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Così Fan Tutte. It will be performed November 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th at Curtiss Hall in the Fine Arts Building in downtown Chicago. We have two stellar casts plus covers. The Concept
Accessibility Instead of the traditional presinium setting, this opera will be performed in the round. The audience will surround the action, giving them a better view of the show, and illuminating the themes of vulnerability and transparency. Participate Each audience member will receive two beanbag hearts with their ticket. These hearts can be given to any performer at any point in the show. The two characters with the most hearts at the end of the show (during the “moral” chorus) will end up together, in a "choose your own opera" adventure. New comers will appreciate this engaging take on classical performance, and opera purists will enjoy watching the outcome of the show change based the two different preparations of the score. Music If Mozart's librettist Lorenza Da Ponte had had his way, what we know today as "Così fan tutte" ("So do they all") might well be named "La scuola degli amanti," or, "The school for lovers." These great masters had many differences of opinion while forming their third, tremendous collaboration. In its entirety, Così runs approximately 3.5 hours. To shorten it, directors often make musical cuts to the score. The two cuts that we make will incorporate what we know of Mozart and DaPonte's visions of the story, so that each performance will have a sligthly different tale to tell. Costumes and Set The costumes will begin simply, in form and color (black). As the characters' emotions and circumstances change, color will be introduced into their shifting worlds. Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Physical health of our performers is always a concern, particularly in this Midwestern weather! But with two extremely qualified and talented casts prepared to take on this project, and a understudy cast prepared for any emergencies, we have all bases covered.
