Nickel City Opera Explained

The Nickel City Opera (known as NC Opera Buffalo and NCO) is an American opera company based in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 2004 by Valerian Ruminski, the opera company has commissioned operas and has staged world premieres of notable works. The company's music director was Matthias Manasi from 2017 to 2021.[1] The NCO collaborates with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, producing a wide range of works, from 18th-century Baroque and 19th-century Bel canto to the Minimalism of the 20th century and to contemporary operas of the 20th and 21st centuries.[2] These operas are presented in staged productions that range in style from those with elaborate traditional decors to others that feature modern conceptual designs.The name of NCO is based on the nickname for Buffalo (Nickel City).

History

The NCO was founded in 2004, and produced Rossini's The Barber of Seville, its first opera in June 2009 at the Riviera Theatre. The following year, 2010, saw a production of Rigoletto.[3]

The NCO has produced more than 25 operas, including Il trovatore,[4] La Bohème,[5] Don Pasquale,[6] [7] La fille du régiment, Rigoletto,[8] Tosca,[9] Carmen,[10] I Pagliacci,[11] Il tabarro,[12] Der Schauspieldirektor,[13] [14] Le Nozze di Figaro,[15] [16] La Traviata,[17] The Barber of Seville,[18] and The Music Shop by Richard Wargo.[19]

Singers such as Adam Klein (tenor),[20] Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs,[21] Victoria Livengood,[22] Eduardo Villa,[23] Ray Chenez,[24] [25] James Wright,[26] John Packard,[27] Zulimar López-Hernández,[28] [29] Marc Freiman,[30] [31] Michele Capalbo,[32] Eric Fenell,[33] David MacAdam[34] and Marieterese Magisano[35] have performed in NCO's productions.[36]

In 2010 the NCO presented Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Riviera Theatre, and repeated it for four more years at the Riviera Theatre and in the Westminster Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, New York).[37]

In 2011, as a special cultural event, the NCO presented a production of Il tabarro by Giacomo Puccini, directed by Henry Akina on board the United States Navy warship USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a decommissioned and one of Buffalo's landmarks, which serves as a museum ship and is anchored at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York.[38] The USS The Sullivans (DD-537) served as an integral part of the staging.[39]

In 2017, Matthias Manasi conducted a production of Der Schauspieldirektor by Mozart, with particular attention to historically informed performance practice which was particularly appreciated by critics.[40]

In June 2023 the NCO reprised its inaugural production of Il barbiere di Siviglia at Nichols Flickinger Performing Arts Center and traveled to Gowanda, NY to present it at the newly restored, historic Hollywood Theater.

International stage directors at the NCO include David Grabarkewitz, who directed New York City Opera's Emmy Award-winning production of Madama Butterfly for Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in 2008 and Marc Verzatt, awarded Outstanding Stage Director of 2006 by 'Classical Singer' magazine.[41] [42]

Opera America Service Award

In May 2017 Opera America awarded the NCO and Valerian Ruminski, artistic director of the NCO its annual Service Award which recognizes those who "promote opera in their communities and work tirelessly to ensure the highest possible artistic quality and community service."[43] In the ceremony held in Dallas, Marc A. Scorca, president and CEO of Opera America said, "On behalf of the staff and membership of Opera America, please accept my congratulations and thank you for your exceptional contribution to the field of opera."

World and U.S. premieres

In June 2016, the NCO produced the world premiere of SHOT! composed by Persis Vehar with libretto by Gabrielle Vehar, about the assassination of President McKinley, produced at Shea's Performing Arts Center,[44] with Michael Ching, conductor and David Grabarkewitz, stage director.[45] The role of President William McKinley was sung by Valerian Ruminski, the role of Ida McKinley was sung by Marieterese Magisano with John Packard as Leon Czolgosz, Michele Capalbo as Emma Goldman and Fred Furnari as Buffalo Police Superintendent Bull and a chorus of 40 singers with musicians of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.[46] The sets re-created scenes from the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, with 40-foot projections of original 1901 Edison footage of the exposition, and rare historic photos.[47] [48]

In June 2021, the NCO collaborated with Sotto Voce Vocal Collective to present the world premiere of the opera The Second Sight by Jessie Downs, fully staged in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.[49] [50]

Directors

Music directors / Principal conductors

Michael Ching was music director and principal conductor of the NCO from 2012 to 2017. He was succeeded by Matthias Manasi as music director and principal conductor of the NCO from 2017 to 2021.[51] [52]

Stage directors

Stage directors of opera productions at the NCO include internationally known stage directors such as David Grabarkewitz, who directed the New York City Opera's production of Madama Butterfly for PBS which won an Emmy award in 2008.[53] [54] The stage director Marc Verzatt, who was awarded as the Outstanding Stage Director of the Year in 2006 by Classical Singer Magazine also directed opera productions at the NCO.[55] [56]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Sabrina Kahwaty . Former NCO Conductor Shines On . digital.buffalospree.com . December 29, 2023 . December 31, 2023.
  2. News: Bracely Dawn . Classical: Continued success for BPO, Nickel City Opera . buffalonews.com . February 16, 2016 . January 15, 2017.
  3. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . NCO on a - What else? - 5-year winning streak . The Buffalo News . June 24, 2013 . August 24, 2023.
  4. News: Jan Jezioro . Il Trovatore at The Riviera Theatre - NC Opera Buffalo launches its third season with big plans . Artvoice . June 15, 2011 . April 8, 2015.
  5. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . With all the right touches, N C Opera does justice to La Bohème . The Buffalo News . July 2, 2012 . September 17, 2018.
  6. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . Nickel City Opera's 'Don Pasquale' is a rare treat . The Buffalo News . June 27, 2013 . July 6, 2013.
  7. News: Bob P . NCO's 'Don Pasquale' at the Riviera . Tripadvisor . July 29, 2013. August 31, 2023.
  8. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . Magnificent Rigoletto proves NC Opera is for real . The Buffalo News . June 27, 2010 . July 28, 2020.
  9. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . NC Opera Buffalo gives depth to dark masterpiece . The Buffalo News . June 27, 2014 . January 23, 2022.
  10. News: Edmonton Opera . Edmonton Opera program - Biography Robert Clark . issuu.com. March 2, 2017. April 2, 2024.
  11. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . Opera on the upswing; while other opera companies are floundering, Nickel City Opera flourishes by thinking outside the box . . June 6, 2011. April 17, 2024.
  12. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . Setting enhances sultry drama of 'Il tabarro'; Brilliant NC Opera Buffalo cast stages Puccini's steamy opera . The Buffalo News . July 3, 2011 . September 8, 2020.
  13. News: Buffalorising . W. A. Mozart - The Impresario . Buffalorising . May 26, 2017 . October 18, 2018.
  14. News: WNY News . Matthias Manasi-The Impresario by W.A. Mozart . The Am-Pol Eagle . June 1, 2017 . November 7, 2017.
  15. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . NC Opera Buffalo's The Marriage of Figaro is a magical mix . The Buffalo News . June 27, 2015 . March 24, 2023.
  16. News: Eileen Buckley . NCO: The Marriage of Figaro. WBFO . June 25, 2015 . July 17, 2016.
  17. News: Michael Rabice . La Traviata at NCO Buffalo . Broadway World . February 5, 2019 . October 3, 2022.
  18. News: Frank Housh . The Nickel City Opera Triumphs With A Slapstick Romp Through Rossini's Classic Opera Buffa . Breakingdownthelaw . July 23, 2023. July 23, 2023.
  19. News: The Public Stuff . N C Opera Buffalo-The Music Shop . Daily Public . November 8, 2017 . October 2, 2019.
  20. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . With all the right touches, NC Opera Buffalo does justice to La Bohème . The Buffalo News . July 2, 2012. July 25, 2020.
  21. News: Mark Sommer . Shipshape opera performances on deck; Naval Park provides stage for 'Il Tabarro' . buffalonews.com . 2011-07-01 . 2018-12-17.
  22. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . Opera on the upswing; while other opera companies are floundering, NC Opera Buffalo flourishes by thinking outside the box . The Buffalo News . June 21, 2011 . January 2, 2012.
  23. News: Jan Jezioro . Il Trovatore at The Riviera Theatre - Nickel City Opera launches its third season with big plans . Artvoice . June 15, 2011 . April 8, 2015.
  24. News: Opéra National de Bordeaux . Opéra National de Bordeaux - Ray Chenez . Opéra National de Bordeaux . January 13, 2020 . January 26, 2020.
  25. News: Narodní divadlo Brno - National theatre Brno . Narodní divadlo Brno - National theatre Brno - Teodor Currentzis - Ray Chenez . National theatre Brno - Narodní divadlo Brno . September 17, 2022 . October 10, 2022.
  26. News: Gulfcoast Symphony . Biography James Wright-Figaro . Gulfcoast Symphony. 2023-04-18. 2023-08-21.
  27. News: Am-Pol Eagle . NC Opera Buffalo focus examines historic themes 115 years later . Am-Pol Eagle. April 8, 2016 . July 28, 2016.
  28. News: Arizona Opera . Arizona Opera Cast Members & Creatives - Zulimar López-Hernández . May 10, 2023 . September 16, 2023.
  29. News: Minnesota Opera . Minnesota Opera - Biography Zulimar López-Hernández . February 2, 2023 . February 17, 2023.
  30. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . Lockport native with an international career brings an extra twist to Mozart . The Buffalo News . June 27, 2015 . June 29, 2015.
  31. News: Sarasota Opera . Sarasota Opera-2020 Winter Festival Program Book . Sarasota Opera . February 8, 2020 . April 23, 2020.
  32. News: Calgary Opera . Calgary Opera program - Turandot - Michele Capalbo, Soprano - Turandot . Calgara Opera . March 30, 2017 . April 12, 2018.
  33. News: Maki Becker . Amid latest wave of Covid-19, the show will go on, just a little later . Richmond Times-Dispatch . June 6, 2022 . June 8, 2022.
  34. News: Ed Adamczyk . NC Opera Buffalo presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors" . Niagara Gazette . November 28, 2013 . July 4, 2018.
  35. News: Frank Parlato . Premiere Of New Opera About The History Of Buffalo . ARTVOICE . June 6, 2016 . August 13, 2023.
  36. News: Staatstheater Nürnberg . Staatstheater Nürnberg-Ray Chenez . Staatstheater Nürnberg Official site . November 2, 2022 . August 1, 2023.
  37. News: The Buffalo News / Staff . NC Opera Buffalo - Star of wonder with 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' . The Buffalo News . January 6, 2016 . September 20, 2017.
  38. News: Mark Sommer . Shipshape opera performances on deck; Naval Park provides stage for 'Il Tabarro' . . 2011-07-01 . 2018-12-17.
  39. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . NCO on a - What else? - 5-year winning streak . . June 24, 2013 . August 24, 2023.
  40. News: Aryeh Oron . Matthias Manasi (Conductor, Piano) . Bach Cantatas Website . April 28, 2022 . April 7, 2023.
  41. News: Jeff Korbelik. David Grabarkewitz-Opera director takes a turn onstage in 'Young Frankenstein'. Lincoln Journal Star . October 9, 2016. July 7, 2018.
  42. News: Susan Hall . New York City Opera's Madam Butterfly-Stunning Production by Mark Lamos. The Buffalo News . March 22, 2010. April 14, 2011.
  43. News: People in the News . Ruminski receives Opera America award, NCO prepares Roadshow Opera . The Am-Pol Eagle . May 11, 2017 . July 24, 2023.
  44. News: Michael Rabice . SHOT! A WORLD PREMIERE presented by NCO AT SHEA'S BUFFALO THEATRE . Broadway World . May 16, 2016 . May 16, 2017.
  45. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . NCO's original opera SHOT! . 'The Buffalo News . October 29, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023308/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-25250929.html . August 28, 2023. 2017-11-07 .
  46. News: Mary Kunz Goldman. President McKinley is a hearty character in opera premiere. The Buffalo News . June 11, 2016. June 13, 2016.
  47. News: Sharon Cantillon . Nickel City Opera rehearses 'Shot!' . The Buffalo News . June 17, 2016 . June 24, 2016.
  48. News: Library of Congress . The Paper Print Film Collection at the Library of Congress . Library of Congress . July 11, 2008 . October 8, 2023.
  49. News: Frank HoushJun . Sotto Voce Vocal Collective's The Second Sight - A new opera with spectacular performances . Buffalo Spree Magazine . June 28, 2021 . November 12, 2022.
  50. News: Florida Department of State . Culture builds Florida - Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs . Florida Department of State . September 19, 2019. October 30, 2019.
  51. News: Features. Manasi to leave the NCO . The Am-Pol Eagle . June 18, 2021 . June 9, 2023.
  52. News: Volker Blech . Matthias Manasi: "Will mich wieder auf Europa konzentrieren" . Berliner Morgenpost. german . August 3, 2021. August 27, 2023.
  53. News: Mary Kunz Goldman . William McKinley is back and this time, he's an opera . The Buffalo News . June 7, 2016. January 27, 2020.
  54. News: Steve Smith . 'MADAMA BUTTERFLY' New York City Opera . The New York Times . March 21, 2010. August 7, 2014.
  55. News: Am-Pol Eagle . NC Operas's Tosca is this weekend in N. Tonawanda . Am-Pol Eagle . June 28, 2014. August 29, 2014.
  56. News: Ed Adamczyk . NC Opera Buffalo asks "Would You Kill for Love?" . Niagara Gazette . June 26, 2014 . February 14, 2016.

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