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PORTLAND OPERA WORKSPOW!
 OPERA IS COMING: A grant from the Ford Family Foundation allows Portland Opera Works! to make La Grande its temporary home during the week of Feb. 17-21. (Baker City Herald/S. JOHN COLLINS). Two mini-operas and two concerts will be performed in La Grande and Elgin by the young singers of the Portland Opera Works. A grant from the Ford Family Foundation allows Portland Opera Works! to make La Grande its temporary home during the week of Feb. 17-21. Along with Eastern Oregon University, POW! will conduct master classes, joint rehearsals and community performances. POW! brings some of the finest young singers from across the country to begin their opera residencies and to perform for students and communities that have limited exposure to the arts. This year all of the POW! participants will sing mainstage roles for the Portland Opera. The touring repertoire includes encore productions of Rossini's "Cinderella," which will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 at Stella Mayfield Elementary School in Elgin, and "An American Magic Flute," a combination of the Mozart opera and Native American storytelling, which will be performed beginning at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Willow Elementary School in La Grande. A concert at the Opera House in Elgin will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets, at $10 or $8 for seniors and children, are available from the Union County Chamber of Commerce and the Elgin Opera House. For information call 437-3456. Half of the proceeds from the concert will be used for repairs and equipment at the Opera House. "Cinderella," a blending of time periods that draws on commedia dell'arte and on modern idiosyncrasies, leaves audiences with a song in their hearts and hope for a better tomorrow. The wit and warmth that the Grimm fairytale never had is captured by the adaptation by Randall Stuart. "An American Magic Flute" combines the melodies of Mozart's "Magic Flute" with Native American storytelling, forming a production that delights the eyes and ears. The mini-operas are perfect for elementary school audiences and come complete with study materials for teachers. Performers will include Meredith Barber, soprano; Brendan Curran, baritone; John Dooley, baritone; Joseph Rawley, bass-baritone; Melanie Melcher, soprano; Sonia Gariaeff, mezzo-soprano; Ivan Rivera, tenor; Catherine Viscardi, lyric coloratura soprano; and Evan Christ, pianist and musical director. TOUR SETS GRAND FINALE FEB. 21 The grand finale of the Portland Opera Works visit to Northeast Oregon will be the concert in McKenzie Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Members of the EOU Chamber Choir will join the Portland artists for selected pieces. The evening will include famous arias and duets, short opera scenes, selections from light operas and a few pieces from musical theatre. Advanced tickets are recommended and can be purchased at Sunflower Books and the EOU Bookstore. Prices are $10, $8 for students and seniors. Schedule, Portland Opera All rehearsals and master classes are open to the public Tuesday 9 a.m, master class, Loso 123, EOU 10 a.m., master class, Loso 123 11 a.m., master class, Loso 123 Noon, EOU Chamber Choir rehearsal, McKenzie Theatre 1 to 3 p.m., Portland Opera rehearsal, McKenzie Theatre (open to the public) Wednesday 11 a.m., master class, Loso 123 Noon, EOU Chamber Choir rehearsal, Loso 123 2 p.m., master class, McKenzie Theatre 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., "Into the Woods" soloists, McKenzie Theatre, (La Grande High School musical) Thursday, Feb. 20 10 a.m., master class, McKenzie Theatre 11 a.m., master class, McKenzie Theatre Noon, EOU Chamber Choir rehearsal, McKenzie Theatre 2 p.m., master class, McKenzie Theatre 3 p.m., master class, McKenzie Theatre Friday, Feb. 21 11 a.m., master class, McKenzie Theatre 7:30 p.m., concert, McKenzie Theatre, tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and available at Sunflower books and the EOU Bookstore. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. Additional performances Tuesday, 7 p.m., concert at the Elgin Opera House featuring Mystery at the Opera, arias and ensemble pieces. Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., "The Magic Flute," Willow Elementary, in La Grande Thursday, Feb. 20, 1 p.m., "The Magic Flute," Haines Elementary School Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m., "Cinderella," Stella Mayfield Elementary School |
