UNC Opera

UNC Opera performs a wide range of opera, operetta, and musical theater repertory, including both standard and new works.  Under the direction of Dr. Terry Rhodes, the company not only serves the educational and artistic needs of the University, but also provides affordable and accessible performances for the community. Each year, the group presents tailored outreach shows in K-12 public school. Most UNC campus productions are double-cast, often with orchestra. UNC Opera generally presents two mainstage productions each year (one per semester), and has developed a reputation for presenting dynamic American programming, often with a tie to the state of North Carolina. The group performs in Hill Hall Auditorium, Memorial Hall, and Historic Playmakers Theater on the UNC campus. Recent collaborations have included performances with UNC's Dept. of Dramatic Art, Dept. of Communication Studies and the Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence.

Throughout its history, UNC Opera has presented a variety of works by American composers, including the East Coast premiere of Robert Moran's "From the Towers of the Moon" with the composer and librettist Michael John LaChiusa in residence, the world premiere of James Legg's "The Power of Xingu" (with the composer in residence), the NC premieres of Milton Granger's "talk opera" and "The Proposal" (composer in residence), Richard Wargo's "The Music Shop" and James Harp's "The Tale of Johnnie S. Kickey" (an adaptation of Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi").

Highly praised recent productions have included French Barouqe opera -- Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre's "Cephale et Procris" (HPT)-- to classic and modern masterpieces including Mozart's "Cosi fan tutti" (Memorial Hall, 2006) Britten's "Albert Herring," and Blitzstein's "The Cradle Will Rock" (HPT).

This academic year 2007-2008 holds exciting projects for UNC Opera. The performances of Jason Robert Brown's "Parade" Nov 12-13 in Memorial Hall (with orchestra) is a collaboration between the departments of music, communication studies and Carolina Performing Arts with Joseph Megel as stage director and Rhodes as music director. The performances are a part of the 2007-8 over-arching, campus-wide conversation through the arts about the death penalty and related issues pertaining to the criminal justice system in the U.S. In the spring of 2008, UNC Operas presents zarzuelas as a part of the Latin American Festival on the Hill.

Auditions for UNC Opera productions typically are held in the preceding semester. For information, contact: Dr. Terry Rhodes: 222 Hill Hall, rhodes@email.unc.edu