OPERA San Antonio Performances of Rigoletto Canceled
San Antonio, TX, March 17, 2020 – As information on COVID-19 continues to evolve, OSA’s priority is to keep our community safe. For the well-being of our patrons, donors, artists, and staff OSA has made the difficult decision to cancel the upcoming performances of Rigoletto, education and community engagement programs, and donor events through the end of May. OSA is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local authorities about canceling all gatherings of over 50 people for the next two months.
“We are heartbroken that such drastic measures are necessary to deal with this severe public health crisis,” said E. Loren Meeker, OSA’s General & Artistic Director. “We were so excited to share this stunning production of Rigoletto with the city of San Antonio, but it is crucial that we play our part in combating the spread of COVID-19.” Meeker added that OSA is hoping to produce Rigoletto in a future season.
Meeker continued, “We believe that arts organizations are important to protect as part of the “cultural capital” of our communities. Due to the recent cancelation of productions worldwide, we are concerned for all of the singers and musicians who are independent contractors facing no secure income during in the coming months. If you have the resources, please consider making a financial donation to arts and cultural organizations impacted by shutdowns. You can donate directly to OSA through our website, www.operasa.org, or if you wish to help OSA performing artists in this time of need please consider giving to our new OSA Artist Relief Fund. Details on this campaign can also be found on our website.”
Patrons who have already purchased tickets for Rigoletto performances have the following options through the Tobin Center Box Office:
Request to donate the purchased price of tickets to Opera San Antonio as a much-needed tax-deductible gift to OSA to help pay for production related costs
Request to place the purchased price of tickets on a gift certificate for use in purchasing next year’s OSA performances
Request to be refunded
Please contact the Tobin Center Box Office at tickets@tobincenter.org to make arrangements.
“We are grateful for the support our patrons and donors have given to OPERA San Antonio this season and we assure you that we will do everything possible to provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment to enjoy world-class opera in the future,” said Meeker. “We are looking forward to announcing a full 2020/2021 season in the coming weeks and I sincerely hope to see you there. We wish you and your loved ones health and safety as our communities work through this trying time.”
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Past Press Information for Rigoletto
Rigoletto
Giuseppe Verdi
May 7th and 9th, 2020
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
This production of Rigoletto will continue OPERA San Antonio’s mission to produce operatic masterpieces at the highest level, including an incredible cast from across the globe. Starring James Westman as Rigoletto, Santiago Ballerini as the Duke, and Andriana Chuchman as Gilda. Supporting cast includes Andrea Silvistrelli as Sparafucile, Zoie Reams as Maddelena, Kyle Alberston as Monterone, Bill McMurray as Marullo, and Brian Yeakley as Borsa. Local artists comprise the remaining roles with Sergio Gaona as Count Ceprano, Maeli Gonzales as Giovanna, Carrie Warren as Countess Ceprano, Thomas Soto as the Usher, and Julie Silva as the Page.
The production was originally directed by Tomer Zvulun with sets by John Conklin, costumes by Vita Tzykun, and lighting by Robert Wierzel. Stage director and newly appointed General & Artistic Director E. Loren Meeker will stage the production for OSA.
“We are proud to bring this gorgeous production to San Antonio from Atlanta Opera. Tomer Zvulun and I have been colleagues for many years and it’s exciting to share work between our companies,” states E. Loren Meeker. “ It’s a pleasure to use this production to bring together artists from around the world. Santiago Ballerini, Andriana Chuchman, Zoie Reams, and Andrea Silverstrelli are incredible artists with whom I have previously worked and the rest of the cast is not to be missed. I have no doubt these artists will thrill San Antonio audiences. It’s exciting to present a piece that allows us to combine so many guest and local artists.”
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About OPERA San Antonio
OPERA San Antonio’s mission is to produce opera of uncompromising artistic quality and to enrich our community through educational outreach and social engagement. The company is committed to preserving and sharing opera as an art form that is relevant, inspirational, and accessible to residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The civic premise of OPERA San Antonio is that the community needs, and the citizens deserve, access to the major performing arts.
Bringing grand opera to a grand city: We showcase masterpieces of the operatic canon with world-class productions at the Tobin Center.
Presenting extraordinary artists: Established, emerging, and local talent are brought together to create a transcendent experience that engages our public and propels opera into the future.
Social Responsibility: We strive to broaden the impact of opera on the community by producing works in diverse venues throughout the city. These intimate settings expand the operatic repertoire to include modern works, works that speak to the diverse communities of San Antonio, and works that provide depth to the social fabric of San Antonio.
Educational Outreach: Our goal is to break down stereotypes and promote opera as an accessible and relevant art form by exploring underlying and recurring themes present in today’s society. We take great joy in cultivating a love for opera and the arts in our youth to ensure the strengthening of our city’s cultural impact in our modern age. We achieve this through active community engagement and educational outreach.