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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 # # #  From left: Daniel Noyola, Gillian Watson, Jeffrey Williams, Sarah Young, Thor Eckert, César Delgado, Erik Grendahl, Andi Chinedu Nwoke, Sara Evans Stejskal, Kimberly Merrill and Ghenady Meirson
 From left: Jose Melendez, Ashley Elizabeth Buckhout, Colin Alexander, Tookah Cotlow Sapper, Alan Briones, Kaleigh Rae Gamaché, Thor Eckert, Callie Veronica Hart Merz, Mike Mekailek, Cara Waring, Francesca Federico, Emily Kuller Dalessio and Ghenady Meirson
Audition Master Class by Thor Eckert, Professional Development Coach | Russian Opera Workshop1/27/2014
 Author and opera consultant Thor Eckert has been a regular guest quizmaster on the popular Opera Quiz intermission feature of the Toll Brothers/Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network broadcasts since 1988. He was chief music critic of The Christian Science Monitor for fifteen years. In addition to his work for the Monitor, he contributed cover stories and other feature articles for such publications as Opera News, Opera, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Business Week. A former artists’ manager, Mr. Eckert served on numerous judging panels, including the George London Foundation Awards, the Greater Buffalo Opera International Competition, the Opera Index Vocal Competition, and the Richard Tucker Music Foundation (RTMF), for which he served as chairman of the Juries and Awards committee and continues to serve as a board member. Mr. Eckert specializes in consulting with young singers on career development.
 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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