BEERthoven Recital Series - Official Press Release from OOO
“BEERthoven Recital Series” Adds Bowling, One Ounce Opera to Program in Historic Texas Building
Intimate Concert Will Feature Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven…and Beer
AUSTIN, October 14, 2014 -- One Ounce Opera, an Austin Critics’ Table Award Nominee now in their third season, announces an upcoming performance on Sunday, November 2nd during the new Beerthoven Recital Series, produced by the Austin Saengerrunde and directed by pianist Daniel Swayze.
This concert series is described as “an intimate, experimental take on house-style concerts” featuring traditional German hors d’oeuvres and libations from Scholz’s while local classical musicians share their performances. The musical focus is on lieder (song) and chamber works from German-speaking composers. As a bonus, recital guests are invited to bowl at the historic Saengerrunde bowling center downstairs following the recital at no additional cost.
"I started working with the Saengerrunde in the Fall of 2013,” says Swayze, “and was delighted in coming to know this group of people that likes to drink beer, make dirty jokes, and celebrate German song. It seemed to me the perfect opportunity to make a unique venue that features local artists, and removes the stuffiness and formality of concert halls.”
OOO’s director Julie Fiore and her group agree. They encourage a new generation of opera lovers through non-traditional venue and program choices, and believe Austin is ripe with innovation.
Fiore says, “Our aim is to re-imagine opera in unexpected places, so why not above this treasure of a bowling alley? Plus, nothing goes better with bowling than beer. Add some German masterpieces to the mix and it’s an eclectic Austin afternoon!”
A special quartet of OOO’s professional vocalists (Cristina Flores, Fiore, Dalton Flake and Michael Holderer) will join Swayze and violinist Hyejin Chang in presenting adapted selections from J. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Also featured will be Brahms’ popular Hungarian Dances, and — of course — a few surprises.
“The timing of this concert is deliberate,” says Fiore. “We hope to soak up some of the good international mojo from those in town for Formula 1 that weekend, and show how we go ‘classical’ in Austin.”
Swayze experienced a “near sell-out” in June for the 1st Beerthoven event. “A high turnout will help establish this as a regular series, allowing people to feel more comfortable entering into the spirit of music and sense of community that the Germans describe as ‘Gemütligkeit.’”
The Beerthoven Recital Series will take place on Sunday, November 2nd at the Austin Saengerrunde, located at 1607 San Jacinto in Austin, TX. Showtime is 3:30pm. Ticket price includes Hors d’oeuvres and libations, and post-concert bowling. Purchase online at http://beerthoven.bpt.me/ For more information, contact OOO or visit http://www.saengerrunde.org
Killer Queen! Official press release for OOO's next super-collaboration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Julie Fiore, julie@oneounceopera.com
Austin's Alternative Opera Company Will Rock You on Oct. 26
One Ounce Opera + Magnifico = KILLER QUEEN
AUSTIN, October 11, 2013 -- One Ounce Opera, an Austin Critics' Table Award Nominee for 2012-13, announced they will share the stage with local Queen tribute band Magnifico in a special one-night-only show. This is the first collaboration between the two groups.
"We've been talking about this for over a year now," says OOO founder and general director Julie Fiore, "so I can't tell you how excited OOO is to literally rock out."
That is exactly what Fiore and the One Ounce Opera Ensemble -- a professional group of "singing-artists" -- plan to do on Saturday, October 26th on Red 7's outside stage. When asked about performing opera away from the traditional performance hall, she says, "Our aim is to re-imagine opera in unexpected places. We actually launched our company at Red 7 last year. It fits. It works. People get it."
The company's performers felt a palpable audience reaction during Soundspace at the Blanton in March, for which their original post-classical performances earned them the aforementioned Austin Critics' Table Award Nomination. Fiore believes this is because Austin is ripe for innovation, and her group hopes to encourage a new generation of opera lovers through non-traditional venue and program choices.
Fiore says, "What's more synonymous with opera than the music of Queen?"
Adam Sultan, multi-talented musician/performing artist and guitarist for Magnifico, agrees. He says, "Playing the music of Queen is a challenge, especially when trying to be faithful to the complex vocal arrangements on their albums, so we're especially excited to have One Ounce Opera to help take Magnifico's live set to a whole new level."
Among the varied set lists, the two groups will perform such favorites as "Somebody to Love," "Killer Queen," and, of course, the ubiquitous "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Sultan adds, "Even Queen couldn't ask for more!"
"Killer Queen" is presented by Transmission Events, and will take place on Saturday, October 26th at Red 7 (outside), located at 611 E 7th St. Doors are at 9:00. General admission tickets available for purchase online at http://transmissionevents.queueapp.com/events/1016. For more information, contact Fiore, or visit OOO at www.oneounceopera.com, or visit Magnifico at http://blog.magnificoqueen.com/
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One Ounce Opera aims to prove "opera is not obsolete; popular opinion of opera is". OOO provides a come-and-go, laid back, interactive atmosphere to experience a virtuosic sonic event up close and in small, powerful doses – just “one ounce” of opera. OOO was founded by Austinite Julie Fiore in April 2012. For more information, visit www.oneounceopera.com
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Official Press Release: Mozart Murder Mystery on August 23rd
PO Box 301716
Austin, TX 78703
Austin-based One Ounce Opera to Re-imagine Mozart in an Original Murder Mystery
Central Texas' Alternative Opera Company will Celebrate First Anniversary on Aug. 23
AUSTIN, August 16, 2013 -- One Ounce Opera, an Austin Critics' Table Award Nominee for 2012-13, announced it will open its second season with an original production that combines scenes from W.A. Mozart's masterpieces Cosi fan tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, and Don Giovanni.
"The idea came to me one morning when I put my favorite Mozart operas on shuffle," says OOO founder and general director Julie Fiore. "I thought, 'Wow, this sounds congruent. Interesting.' I wondered what madness would be created if these characters or scenarios co-existed. Mozart's music drips with irony and innuendo. The stories already invite mystery. What if we just changed the subtext -- the situation -- mixed it all up, and watched the underlying musical conflict work itself out in a modern environment?"
That is exactly what Fiore and the One Ounce Opera Ensemble -- a professional group of some fourteen "singing-artists" -- will do during two shows on Friday, August 23rd at the Spiderhouse Ballroom, which will commemorate the company's first anniversary. She says, "Our launch last year was at Red 7, and our aim is to re-imagine opera in unexpected places, so the Ballroom at Spiderhouse made perfect sense. And, of course, what goes better with Mozart and mystery than a good martini?"
Fiore first assembled the group of “singing-artists” after holding local auditions in April of 2012, and added four new members in June of 2013. She selected people who committed to strong and fearless performances -- an integral skill when presenting alternative programs and attracting hipper audiences.
“You will immediately sense each singer's love for what they do and what they have trained tirelessly for. Our company members have performed leading and supporting roles at San Diego Opera, Washington Opera, Indianapolis Opera, to name a few, and overseas,” Fiore added.
The company's performers felt a palpable audience reaction during Soundspace at the Blanton in March, for which their original post-classical performances earned them the aforementioned Austin Critics' Table Award Nomination. Fiore believes this is because Austin is ripe for innovation, and her group hopes to encourage a new generation of opera lovers through non-traditional venue and program choices.
As Fiore is fond of saying, “Opera is not obsolete. Popular opinion of opera is.”
The OOO Mozart Murder Mystery, presented in English, will take place on Friday, August 23 at the Spiderhouse Ballroom, located at 2906 Fruth St. Showtimes are 8:00pm and 10:30pm. VIP and general admission tickets available for purchase online at http://holdmyticket.com/buy/venues/oneounceopera. For more information, contact Fiore or visit OOO at www.oneounceopera.com.
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One Ounce Opera aims to provide a come-and-go, laid back interactive atmosphere to experience a virtuosic sonic event up close and in small, powerful doses – just “one ounce” of
opera. OOO was founded by Austinite Julie Fiore in April 2012 and will officially launch their second season in August 2013. For more information, visit www.oneounceopera.com
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