Kentucky Opera

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Kentucky Opera

Kentucky Opera was founded in 1952 by Moritz von Bomhard and designated the State Opera of Kentucky in 1982. Operas were presented in the Columbia Auditorium until 1964 when they moved to the Brown Theatre. The company began performing selected works at Whitney Hall in the Kentucky Center for the Arts in 1984 and moved all mainstage performances to the Whitney in 2000. The Louisville Orchestra plays for all performances, and the Louisville Ballet performs on occasions when operas require classical dance.

Under Bomhard’s direction, Kentucky Opera grew from a small organization, one of the first regional opera companies in America, to become a strong, innovative and respectable company that presented quality productions for appreciative audiences. The Bomhard Theater at the Kentucky Center for the Arts is named in his honor. After 30 years of tenure, Bomhard retired in 1982.

Kentucky Opera has had several performing homes during its 50-year history. The first performances were presented in the Columbia Auditorium. Despite the fact that this venue had no orchestra pit, it remained Kentucky Opera’s home for over ten years. In 1963, the company moved into the Macauley Theater (now known as the Brown Theatre), which had just undergone a major refurbishment. The Kentucky Center for the Arts, which opened in 1981, became a part-time home for the company. Larger works were performed in Whitney Hall, the 2,400 seat theater, medium scale productions were presented in the Macauley/ Brown Theatre and small chamber pieces were often performed in the 600 seat Bomhard Theater in the KCA. This arrangement remained until the 2000 season when all of Kentucky Opera’s productions were presented in Whitney Hall.

The company has a rich heritage of courageous producing. During his directorship, Maestro von Bomhard made it a practice to present at least one Louisville premiere each year. Indeed, during the 1950s Kentucky Opera presented five world premiere works, quite a feat for a small regional company. That spirit of innovation survives today.

The company is committed to increasing its young audience through the development of several educational initiatives designed to introduce opera to new audiences. Meeting tremendous success in its inaugural year, Kentucky Opera launched the Music! Words! Opera! program in Kentucky and Southern Indiana in May of 2000. Developed by OPERA America, the yearlong program trains teams of teachers to facilitate students to create their very own opera. With help from teachers, local artists and musicians and Kentucky Opera professionals, the students compose music, write librettos, design sets and costumes and perform their opera in front of a live audience.

Also debuting in 2000-2001 was the Rudd Program for Young Artists. Made possible by a generous grant from Louisville businessman Mason Rudd, the 15-week program was designed to bridge the gap between study and a professional career for four singers and a pianist. The young artists performed in Kentucky Opera’s opening main-stage production. The group also toured Kentucky and Southern Indiana high schools and colleges with a fully produced, forty-five-minute production called OperaWorks. The program serves a dual educational purpose by providing performers with a professional learning experience and by providing young audiences access to the operatic art form.

Yet another education program debuted in the summer of 2001. Opera Puppet Theater was designed to teach students in grades 3-5 about the art form. During the week-long summer workshop, students learned about opera while building hand-and-rod puppets and sets for a children’s opera. The workshop culminated in a production for family and friends performed to a pre-recorded soundtrack. This program is no longer offered.

Educational opportunities are not just for kids, Kentucky Opera offers several educational opportunities for adults as well. Opera Previews are presented, at no extra charge, one hour prior to each mainstage performance. Kentucky Opera music staff gives audience members and introduction to the opera they are about to see, reviewing the plot, musical features and notable aspects of Kent.

Abduction from the Seraglio

Abduction from the Seraglio

Pasha, Abduction from the Seraglio

Pasha, Abduction from the Seraglio

YPOP Special Event

YPOP Special Event

Showboat

Showboat

Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Three Decemebers

Three Decemebers

Kentucky Opera
The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro

Opening Gala 2013

Opening Gala 2013

Kentucky Opera
Carnevale 2016

Carnevale 2016

Madame Butterfly

Madame Butterfly

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Eat and Drink

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See and Do

  • Kentucky Opera Louisville (0.0 miles) - Kentucky Opera was founded in 1952 by Moritz von Bomhard and designated the State Opera of Kentucky ...
  • The Cathedral of the Assumption Louisville (0.4 miles) - The grounds upon which Louisville’s Cathedral of the Assumption stands were consecrated in 1830. T...
  • Archdiocese of Louisville History Center Louisville (0.4 miles) - Located within the Cathedral of the Assumption’s Patterson Education Center, the Archdiocese of Lo...
  • Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville (0.7 miles) - As the centerpiece of the city’s urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic ...
  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Louisville (0.8 miles) - Batter up! It takes a special place to craft the #1 Bat in Major League Baseball. At Louisville Slug...

Contact

Kentucky Opera
323 W Broadway, Suite 601
Louisville
KY
40202
United States
5028970649
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