As production week rapidly approaches, we’d like to offer you a quick peek behind the scenes! Take a look at some rehearsal footage of Il sogno d’Arianna, and please consider donating to our Indiegogo campaign to bring this show home! Less than ten days left to help us reach our goal!
Fundraising Plea: Help us bring Monteverdi’s work to life for a new generation!
Act Too Studio Opera Workshop is an ongoing, student-driven educational arts project with performances throughout the year, including a fully-staged opera each summer.
This year, we’ve embarked on a very special project, Il sogno d’Arianna, a full-length, original narrative adapted from the works of 17th-century composer Claudio Monteverdi, woven from excerpts from his operas, madrigals, and other works.
Drawing on the framework of Monteverdi’s “Lamento d’Arianna,” the sole surviving fragment of his opera L’Arianna, Il sogno d’Arianna begins with the tale of Ariadne, princess of Crete, and her abandonment by Athenian hero Theseus on the island of Naxos. Joined by an assembly of women hailing from Monteverdi’s many sources, including Greek myth and Torquato Tasso’s epic 16th-century poem La Gerusalemme liberata (Jerusalem Delivered), Ariadne seeks comfort and meaning in their shared stories, told through both music dance.
In addition to L’Arianna, the piece includes excerpts from Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, as well as pieces from his 8th book of madrigals and selected Scherzi Musicali (“Lamento della ninfa,” “Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda,” “Zefiro torna e di soavi accenti,” “Chiome d’oro“and many more). For this project, the Workshop has created its own new editions of these works, including new English translations and arrangements adapted specifically for its teen singers.
This project does not stop at our production, however. By sharing and/or donating to this campaign, not only are you supporting these extraordinary teens and their talents, but you are also part of the creation of a NEW full-length classical stage piece, that we intend to make available for use by others for years to come. We will publish our new English libretto and newly-edited score for licensed use by other educational institutions, to help share our love for this work for years to come. Though this music dates back centuries, our new English libretto and its original narrative will bring Monteverdi’s exquisite work to life for new audiences, and will also contribute to what is now a very small number of full-length operatic works suitable for young singers.
You can help us complete this passionately-created work and give it a truly glorious launch into the world by spreading the word to your family and friends and/or making a small donation if you’re able. Please help us expand our reach! Help us bring the beauty of Monteverdi’s work to our community and yours!
DONATE at Indiegogo.
Tickets on sale NOW!
As of today, May 6th, at 10:00 AM, tickets are ON SALE for our summer opera production,
Il sogno d’Arianna!
Show Dates/ Times:
Friday, August 5 & Saturday, August 6th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Doors at 7:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
General Admission // Adults $12 // Students $7
Where/ How Tickets Can be Purchased:
Academy of Music Box Office Open Tuesday- Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM
Call: 413-584-9032 ext.105 (Service fees will apply with purchase)
Order Online: here
Act Too Studio Opera Workshop presents the works of 17th-century composer Claudio Monteverdi in this full-length, original narrative woven from excerpts from his operas, madrigals, and other works.
Drawing on the framework of Monteverdi’s “Lamento d’Arianna,” the sole surviving fragment of his opera L’Arianna, Il sogno d’Arianna begins with the tale of Ariadne, princess of Crete, and her abandonment by Athenian hero Theseus on the island of Naxos. Joined by an assembly of women hailing from Monteverdi’s many sources, including Greek myth and Torquato Tasso’s epic 16th-century poem La Gerusalemme liberata (Jerusalem Delivered), Ariadne seeks comfort and meaning in their shared stories, told through both music dance.
In addition to L’Arianna, the piece includes excerpts from Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, as well as pieces from his 8th book of madrigals and selected Scherzi Musicali (“Lamento della ninfa,” “Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda,” “Zefiro torna e di soavi accenti,” “Chiome d’oro“ and many more). For this project, the Workshop has created its own new editions of these works, including new English translations and arrangements adapted specifically for its teen singers.
Studio alumni Anna Plummer (Goblin Market) and Caroline Lee (The Medium) return to this production as both cast and as part of the creative team, bringing their ongoing training and experience back home to the Workshop. Alumna Alexa King (The Medium) will be returning in a production role as well! Stepping out of their creative/tech roles from last summer’s The Medium, original Opera Workshop members Tess Mathewson and Eliza Carson and new Workshop recruit Sylvia Simmons happily join us this year on stage. We’re excited as well to have McKenna Troy, once the youngest member of the original Workshop, as well as new Workshop members Sydney Scott, Daaé Ransom, and (new youngest members) Carina and Milena Gravante-Gunnells on board for their first full ATS production.
Il sogno d’Arianna is made possible in part by a grant from the South Hadley Local Cultural Council.
Valley Gives: Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who donated and helped push our message for Valley Gives! We had some late donations come in, so in the end (including the video prize and new donor prize) we raised $3566, which will go a long way towards helping us produce our summer Monteverdi piece, Il sogno d’Arianna! Melinda and her teens are so grateful! Thank you for helping us continue to share the beauty of opera with our community!
Valley Gives is ON!
Valley Gives day is HERE, and it’s time to spread the word! Please consider throwing us even the SMALLEST donation! Numbers of donors can help us win prizes! Even $10 helps us rise in the numbers! And if you can’t donate, please share our page with your friends! Every dollar and every donor counts! Right now we are at the BOTTOM of the pile, but your donation, no matter how small, can help us rise to the top, earn prizes, and attract more donors!
Our teens are anxious to share their love of opera with you and with the whole community. You can help them! For regular updates on our campaign’s progress and stories from our students and friends, join our Facebook event!
ATS Opera Workshop students perform Mozart with Old Post Road Orchestra!
Last night, we had the thrilling experience of watching three of our Opera Workshop students onstage with a full orchestra! Many thanks to Wibraham’s Old Post Road Orchestra and conductor Juli Sansoucy for this incredible opportunity for our young singers. Students Stephanie Craven, Brandon Dallmann, and Callie Damouras sang selections from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro to a wonderfully appreciative audience at the beautiful auditorium at Minnechaug Regional High School. Also on the program, orchestral selections from Semiramide, Carmen, Aida, and The Mastersingers of Nuremberg.
If you missed out on last night’s concert, you’ll have another chance on Sunday, when our students join OPRO once again at the Longmeadow Community House at 3:00 PM! Don’t miss out!
