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In-person program and public performances return in 2022
PHILADELPHIA (March 2, 2021) -- While the COVID-19 pandemic is on its way to a resolution, Russian Opera Workshop opted to continue its 2021 training season as a private Virtual Role Study Workshop. "As we approach the end of the war against the COVID-19 pandemic, and as in any war, the final days can be highly unpredictable. To avoid complacency, and for the safety of our artists and patrons, this summer we opted to continue as a private Virtual Role Study Workshop. Our in-person program with public performances will return in 2022," commented Ghenady Meirson, the founder and music director of Russian Opera Workshop. In its 11th summer season, the program includes two separate training sessions of popular Tchaikovsky standards, Iolanta (June 7-18) and Eugene Onegin (July 5-16). Participating artists will receive daily Russian language classes and intensive role preparation. In addition, special guest speakers include international opera stars Angela Meade and Bryan Hymel, the General Manager of San Francisco Opera Center, Markus Beam, and the preeminent audition coach and AVA faculty, Thor Eckert. About Russian Opera Workshop Russian Opera Workshop is a privately operated, independent program, located in summer residence at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia. Founded in 2011, by Ghenady Meirson (AVA, Curtis), the program is focused on one Russian opera per session, offering intensive language and vocal training, and public performances. Repertoire and Performance History Tchaikovsky Mazepa - 2016 The Maid of Orleans - 2014, 2019 Eugene Onegin - 2011, 2014, 2018 The Queen of Spades - 2012, 2017 Iolanta - 2011, 2015, 2019 Romeo & Juliet Fragment - 2013, 2016 Rachmaninoff Aleko - 2012, 2016 Francesca da Rimini - 2013 Rubinstein The Demon - 2015 Dargomyzhsky Rusalka - 2017 Borodin Prince Igor - 2018 High Resolution Photos Photo is courtesy of Russian Opera Workshop Martin Luther Clark, Jr. and Samantha Long in Russian Opera Workshop’s 2019 production of Iolanta (Photo by Leonard Meirson) COMPANY CONTACT Ghenady Meirson, Founder and Music Director http://www.russianoperaworkshop.com/ russianoperaworkshop@gmail.com 267.475.6500 # # #  NEWS UPDATE
Dear friends of Russian Opera Workshop, Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, Russian Opera Workshop 2020 has pivoted to an online Role Study Workshop. I am pleased to offer Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin as an additional online summer workshop. Auditions are not required. Visit RussianOperaWorkshop.com for details. One-on-one Russian diction and vocal coaching of Eugene Onegin roles will be available to opera singers on a rolling basis from May to September 2020. When it is safe to travel again, singers will have the option to visit my AVA studio in Philadelphia and run-through their roles (good through May 2021). While the current Summer Program was substantially restructured, Russian Opera Workshop Artists 2020 opted to participate online and study their assigned roles in Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Eugene Onegin, Rachmaninoff’s Francesca da Rimini, and Rubinstein’s The Demon. Safety-first is the only right choice this summer. Therefore, all in-person activities, public masterclasses, and performances are cancelled. On a personal note, while downsizing the program to a solo operation this summer, I will deeply miss my team, faculty, and our loyal audience. When it is safe again, Russian Opera Workshop will be back! Be well. Ghenady Meirson Founder and Music Director Russian Opera Workshop  Soprano Angela Meade, mezzo-soprano Florence Quivar, and artist manager Sandra Hormozi join Russian Opera Workshop to offer young artists master classes on standard operatic repertoire
________________________ PHILADELPHIA (May 31, 2016) -- In its sixth summer season, Russian Opera Workshop presents rarely performed Aleko by Rachmaninoff (June 28, 29 & 30) and Mazepa by Tchaikovsky (August 2, 3 & 4), as well as concerts of Russian Romances (June 27 & August 1). All events are free to the public. Tickets are not required. Opera and recital performances begin at 7:30 PM. Master classes begin at 1:00 PM. All events take place at the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Selected by an audition process, participating young artists arrive in Philadelphia from around the United States, Canada and Mexico. Master Classes - 1:00 PM | Free Venue: Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia June 9 & 10 - Benita Valente, Vocal Master Class June 16 & 17 - Thor Eckert, Professional Development. Audition Class. July 14 & 15 - Daron Hagen, Professional Development. Audition Class. July 20 - Angela Meade, Vocal Master Class July 21 - Florence Quivar, Vocal Master Class July 23 - Sandra Hormozi, Professional Development. Audition Class. Russian Romances Concerts - 7:30 PM | Free Venue: Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia June 27 and August 1 - All artists perform. Works by Aliabiev, Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofieff, Shostakovich, Sviridov. Opera Performances - 7:30 PM | Free Venue: Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia Aleko by Sergei Rachmaninoff Romeo & Juliet Fragment by Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky June 28, 29 & 30 Mazepa by Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky August 2, 3 & 4 About Russian Opera Workshop Russian Opera Workshop is an independent summer training program for aspiring and professional opera singers. The program was founded in 2011 by Ghenady Meirson, faculty member at both the Academy of Vocal Arts and Curtis Institute of Music. Centered on one Russian opera per session, each workshop session offers an intensive one-month long Russian language and vocal training program followed by free public performances. Repertoire History Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky Mazepa - 2016 The Maid of Orleans - 2014, Philadelphia premiere Eugene Onegin - 2011, 2014 The Queen of Spades - 2012 Iolanta - 2011, 2015 Romeo & Juliet Fragment - 2013, 2016 Sergei Rachmaninoff Aleko - 2012, 2016 Francesca da Rimini - 2013, Philadelphia premiere Anton Rubinstein The Demon - 2015, Philadelphia premiere For updates, visit: http://www.russianoperaworkshop.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RussianOperaWorkshop/ https://twitter.com/russianopera # # #  PHILADELPHIA, June-July 2015 | In it's fifth summer season, Russian Opera Workshop presents concert opera productions of Anton Rubinstein's The Demon, a Philadelphia premiere (June 23, 24 & 25), and Tchaikovsky's last opera Iolanta (July 28, 29 & 30) sung in Russian with English supertitles
All performances are free to the public and begin at 7:30 PM at the Helen Corning Warden Theater at the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, USA. All artists are also presented in Russian Romances concerts on June 22 and July 27. Participating young artists arrive in Philadelphia from around the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Russian Opera Workshop 2015 Core Faculty Ghenady Meirson, Founder & Music Director (AVA & Curtis faculty) Dr. Sharon Bain, Russian language class (Bryn Mawr College) Benita Valente, a distinguished American soprano (AVA voice faculty) Thor Eckert, professional development coach (AVA faculty) William Stone, baritone (AVA voice faculty), Michael Eberhard, Artistic Administrator of Opera Philadelphia Daron Hagen, an American composer Michele Scanlon, voice/opera coach (AVA) Donald St. Pierre, voice/opera coach (Curtis Institute of Music) Elise Auerbach, voice/opera coach (Temple University) Julia Zavadsky, chorus master (Rutgers University) About Russian Opera Workshop Russian Opera Workshop is an independent summer training program for aspiring and professional opera singers. The program was founded in 2011 by Ghenady Meirson, faculty member at both the Academy of Vocal Arts and Curtis Institute of Music. The workshop offers an intensive one-month long Russian language immersion and vocal training program followed by free public performances. COMPANY CONTACT Ghenady Meirson 267.475.6500 MEDIA CONTACT Inna Heasley 215.280.4824 inna@pr-perfect.com # # #  MEDIA CONTACT
Inna Heasley 215.280.4824 inna@pr-perfect.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Russian Opera Workshop Presents Two Tchaikovsky Favorites: The Maid of Orleans, a Philadelphia Premiere, and Eugene Onegin in Free Public Series PHILADELPHIA, June - July 2014: Russian Opera Workshop has announced its Fourth summer season, spanning two months and two major Tchaikovsky in-concert productions. The Maid of Orleans, a Philadelphia premiere, is presented June 24-26, and timeless Eugene Onegin takes stage July 29-31. Both operas are preceded by Monday concerts of Russian Romances (June 23 and July 28), introducing the operatic singers and offering a foreword on the upcoming opera series. Performances are sung in Russian with English supertitles, with Founder & Music Director Ghenady Meirson at the piano. All shows start at 7:30 pm at the Helen Corning Warden Theater, the Academy of Vocal Arts (1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103), and are free to public. This summer, Russian Opera Workshop’s participating artists arrive to Philadelphia from across the United States, Mexico and Croatia to master their skills in many facets of opera performance and Russian diction. In its fourth year, the summer workshop offers two intensive month-long sessions to study Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orleans in June (this opera has never been heard in Philadelphia) and the beloved Eugene Onegin in July. At the end of each monthly session, the aspiring singers give public performances to Philadelphia audiences who have been traditionally filling the intimate space of the Academy of Vocal Arts to capacity. The Philadelphia premiere performance of The Maid of Orleans includes a chorus comprised of singers from the local choral groups: Philadelphia Singers, Choral Arts Philadelphia and Mendelssohn Club, with Tim Ribchester as the chorus master. In addition to its Founder and Music Director Ghenady Meirson, the 2014 Workshop faculty includes: Dr. Sharon Bain (Lecturer in Russian at Bryn Mawr College) Russian language class; Benita Valente** (AVA faculty), a distinguished American soprano, Thor Eckert** (AVA faculty), professional development coach, William Stone** (AVA faculty), baritone, Michael Eberhard**, artistic administrator of Opera Philadelphia, Daren Hagen, an American composer; Prof. Ilya Vinitsky, chair of Slavic languages at University of Pennsylvania. The faculty also includes opera/voice coaches: José Meléndez (AVA), Michele Scanlon (AVA) and Tim Ribchester (AVA). During the course of each month, the faculty members (marked with **) also offer a series of vocal and audition/professional development Master Classes, which will be open to public at no charge. "Tchaikovsky's The Maid of Orleans is based on the story of Joan of Arc and is very rarely performed. We are excited to bring it to Philadelphia for the first time,” said Meirson. "Historically, Tchaikovsky composed the role of Joan of Arc for soprano, and later versions of the opera were transposed for a mezzo-soprano. We will be presenting the original version." 2014 FREE EVENT SCHEDULE Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA. No tickets/reservations required, open seating. More information at www.RussianOperaWorkshop.com. CONCERTS: Lecture and Concert of Russian Romances Monday, June 23 at 7:30 PM Monday, July 28 at 7:30 PM Introducing Russian Opera Workshop artists. Foreword to The Maid of Orleans by Prof. Ilya Vinitsky (June 23) and to Eugene Onegin by American composer Daron Hagen (July 28). Tchaikovsky: The Maid of Orleans, in concert Tuesday – Thursday, June 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 PM Ghenady Meirson, Music Director and Pianist Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin, in concert Tuesday – Thursday, July 29, 30, 31 at 7:30 PM Ghenady Meirson, Music Director and Pianist MASTER CLASSES: Thursday & Friday, June 5 and 6 at 1:00 PM Thor Eckert, AVA faculty: Auditioning for competitions, agents and opera companies. A professional development class. Thursday & Friday, June 12 and 13 at 1:00 PM Benita Valente, a distinguished American soprano (AVA faculty): Vocal master class on standard opera repertoire, any language. Two groups of singers on consecutive days. Thursday & Friday, July 10 and 11 at 1:00 PM Michael Eberhard, Artistic Administrator at Opera Philadelphia: Auditioning, a professional development class. Two groups of singers on consecutive days. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, July 16, 17 & 18 at 1:00 PM William Stone, Baritone (AVA faculty): Vocal master class on standard opera repertoire, any language. Two groups of singers on consecutive days. Russian Opera Workshop Alumni Success: As of April, 2014: Six opera companies nationwide hired Russian Opera Workshop artists in the roles they learned here. -- Bass Nicholas Masters (‘12) wins The Dallas Opera Guild's Vocal Competition; in 2015 Nicholas will sing the role of Gremin in Eugene Onegin with Arizona Opera. -- Baritone Efraín Solís (‘11) was a Grand Finalist of 2013 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. -- Mezzos Cynthia Cook (‘11) and Raehann Bryce-Davis (‘12) were accepted in Florida Grand Opera Young Artist Program. -- Pianist Geoffrey Loff (‘12) was accepted in Minnesota Opera Young Artists program. -- Sopranos Shelley Jackson (‘11) and Youna Jang (‘11) were accepted to the Academy of Vocal Arts. -- Baritone Jeff Williams (‘12 & 14’) was accepted to Nashville Opera Young Artists Program. He also has been appointed as full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Voice at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN starting in the fall of 2014! In June 2014, Jeff returns to Russian Opera Workshop to sing Lionel and Dunois in the Philadelphia Premiere of Tchaikovsky's The Maid of Orleans. About Russian Opera Workshop: Russian Opera Workshop is an independent summer training program for aspiring and professional opera singers. The program was founded in 2011 by Ghenady Meirson, faculty member at both the Academy of Vocal Arts and Curtis Institute of Music. The workshop offers an intensive one-month long Russian language immersion and vocal training program followed by free public performances. For more information: Ghenady Meirson 267.475.6500 or RussianOperaWorkshop.com. # # #  Pique Dame cast, Russian Opera Workshop 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Philadelphia Premiere of Rachmaninoff Francesca da Rimini and Rarely Performed Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet Presented by Russian Opera Workshop in Free Concert Series Academy of Vocal Arts, June 24-27, 2013 PHILADELPHIA, June 2013: Now in its third summer season, Russian Opera Workshop presents a Philadelphia premiere of Rachmaninoff Francesca da Rimini, opera-in-concert, and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, a rarely heard scene from sketched but never realized opera based on Shakespeare's drama. All performances are in Russian with English supertitles. Free public concerts will take place June 24-27, 2013 at 7:30 PM at the Helen Corning Warden Theater, the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. The opera performances are preceded by a series of three vocal Master Classes led by premiere voice coaches and professors, June 7-21, 2013, which are also open to public at no charge. The free public concerts feature Russian Opera Workshop’s participating opera artists from across the United States. In addition, the performance of Francesca da Rimini includes a chorus comprised of singers from such local choral groups as Philadelphia Singers, Choral Arts Philadelphia, and Mendelssohn Club. 2013 FREE EVENT SCHEDULE All Performances and Master Classes: TICKETS: Free Admission. No registration or tickets required, open seating. VENUE: Helen Corning Warden Theater at the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Program and schedule are subject to change. LECTURE-CONCERT Monday, June 24 at 7:30 PM Russian Romances Concert Talk on Sergey Rachmaninoff’s Francesca da Rimini by American composer Daron Hagen, followed by the concert of Russian Romances, introducing the 2013 Russian Opera Workshop artists. With pianist Laura Ward. OPERA-IN-CONCERT Tuesday-Thursday, June 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 PM Rachmaninoff: Francesca da Rimini Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, scene from sketched but never realized opera. With the 2013 Russian Opera Workshop artists and chorus comprised of singers from the Philadelphia area choral groups. Ghenady Meirson, Music Director and Pianist, Tim Ribchester, Chorus Master. MASTER CLASSES Friday, June 7, 12:00 NOON - 6 PM Thor Eckert, AVA faculty, leads a master class on auditioning for competitions, agents and opera companies. A professional development class. Don St. Pierre (Curtis faculty), accompanist Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14, 1:00 PM Benita Valente, a distinguished American soprano. Vocal master class on standard opera repertoire, any language. Two groups of singers on consecutive days. Don St Pierre (Curtis faculty), accompanist Thursday-Friday, June 20 and 21 at 1:00 PM William Stone, AVA faculty. Vocal master class on standard opera repertoire, any language. Two groups of singers on consecutive days. Don St Pierre (Curtis faculty), accompanist Russian Opera Workshop Alumni Success: As of April 2013, five opera companies nationwide hired Russian Opera Workshop artists in the roles they learned here. Further, bass Nicholas Masters (‘12) wins The Dallas Opera Guild's Vocal Competition. Baritone Efraín Solís (‘11) was a Grand Finalist of 2013 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mezzos Cynthia Cook (‘11) and Raehann Bryce-Davis (‘12) were accepted in Florida Grand Opera Young Artist Program. Pianist Geoffrey Loff (‘12) was accepted in Minnesota Opera Young Artists program. Baritone Jeff Williams (‘12) to sing the title role in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin at the Seagle Music Colony Young Artists. Sopranos Shelley Jackson (‘11) and Youna Jang (‘11) were accepted to the Academy of Vocal Arts. About Russian Opera Workshop: Russian Opera Workshop is an independent summer training program for aspiring and professional opera singers. The program was founded in 2011 by Ghenady Meirson, faculty member at both the Academy of Vocal Arts and Curtis Institute of Music. The workshop offers an intensive one-month Russian language immersion and vocal training program followed by free public performances. For more information: Ghenady Meirson 267.475.6500 or RussianOperaWorkshop.com MEDIA CONTACT Inna Heasley 215.280.4824 or inna@pr-perfect.com |
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