We are very aware ,with COVID-19 hitting the country, that this is a very uncertain time. We realize how much music and opera inspire us, comfort us and define our sense of community. With that in mind, we continue to plan the quality of programming that you have come to expect. We know we have no entitlement to your generosity, but we know that without your gifts, we will not be able to present our season.
Stay well! We'll see you at the opera!
On the porch at the Hill-Stead
February 2021
Dear Friend of Opera Connecticut:
It has been a long year since the coronavirus first hit our shores, with what can only be called tragic circumstances. We all have seen its devastating effects, with the loss of many lives, closing of many businesses, whether temporarily or permanently, and the restrictions we all are experiencing. We at Opera Connecticut hope you all are coping well.
Opera Connecticut was also affected by COVID-19 last year, like virtually all performing arts organizations. We were unable to put on planned mainstage opera performances, as well as other performance events we had planned. But we were gratified to be able to stage several well-received outdoor performances at Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, CT, including an evening of French opera and our annual American Opera Idol contest, held in August, where we awarded prizes totaling well over $3,000 to five talented young singers. In October, at Hill-Stead’s invitation, we put on a Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Concert to honor this iconic Supreme Court justice (and opera buff), with the participation of nine singers. We are proud to have been able to provide paid singing engagement to these artists during a time when such opportunities were almost nonexistent.
Now, with the development and distribution of vaccines, we (like you) hope that things may begin returning to normal soon. This includes resumption of performances by arts organizations like Opera Connecticut. Of course, it's still early days, and much remains to be seen. But we wanted to let you know we are planning a 2021 schedule that's expanded well beyond our curtailed 2020 performances:
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"Prelude, Prologue, Pagliacci," our mainstage opera event that was postponed from last year, will take place at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford on October 29 and 31.
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Our yearly operatic vocal competition, American Opera Idol, will return to the Pond House Cafe in Hartford's Elizabeth Park this year, after moving outdoors to the Hill-Stead Museum last year. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 13!
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We are planning a gala concert of singing September 12, at the new Land Rover Hartford. More to come!
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For the Christmas season, we will mount several performances of Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors at venues in the Hartford area. Dates and locations will be announced.
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We hope to expand on our new and very exciting relationship with the Hill-Stead Museum, as noted above. We are discussing with Hill-Stead how to build on that for 2021, and we will let you know more as things develop.
So much depends, of course, on circumstances beyond our control. But I wanted to inform you of our plans, and to let you know we are thinking of you, our wonderful patrons. We can't do it without you! And we hope you let us know how you are doing.
For now, be safe! We look forward to seeing you, and we'll stay in touch.
Nick Merritt
President, Opera Connecticut
A Message from our President
Join us in 2021 for live opera......
Summer evenings at the Hillstead
American Opera Idol
July 13, 2021
Pond House
Elizabeth Park
Arias and Autos
@ Land Rover, Hartford
September 12, 2021
Our MainStage production
Prelude,prologue,
Pagliacci
October 29 and 31
Hoffman Auditorium
University of Saint Joseph
Coming in December 2021 .......
Amahl and the Night Visitors
featuring Ta'u Pupu'a