GOOD NEWS LETTER Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony May, 2018 16311 Highway 62 West Don Dagenais, Editor Eureka Springs, Arkansas 72632 Two Comedies Opera in the Ozarks Archives Featured are Dedicated at the in OIO’s University of Arkansas The Opera in the Ozarks Archives at the University of Arkansas were formally 68th Season dedicated on February 28 and March 1, 2018, at several special events held at Opera in the Ozarks will open its 68th the University of Arkansas. The archives consist of correspondence, scrapbooks, year of performances on Friday, June 20 season programs, over 6,900 photographs and other image formats, over 400 audiovisual recordings, and other materials that document the stories and with Johann Strauss Jr.’s classic comic performances of the thousands of young artists and staff members who have operetta Die Fledermaus (The Bat). been a part of Opera in the Ozarks throughout the previous 67 years of its history. The season will continue on Saturday, The Archives were compiled thanks to the University of Arkansas Libraries June 21 with the opening of Il Barbieri Special Collections Department. The librarian and archivist who spearheaded the di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). The project, Janet Parsch, remarked that the majority of her opera viewing has been third production of the season, Douglas during the Opera in the Ozarks summer seasons in Moore’s historic drama The Ballad of Eureka Springs. Further informa- Baby Doe, opens in Tuesday, June 26. “Processing the Opera in the Ozarks collection, tion about the The three operas are performed in serving as its repository, and making it available to the general public, to me, is a wonderful example Opera in the repertory concluding on Friday, July 20. of the University’s commitment to outreach, to the Ozarks Archives at All performances begin at 7:30 arts, and to the preservation of Arkansas’s cultural the University of p.m. at Inspiration Fine Arts Colony, heritage for students, researchers, and the general Arkansas appears except for the Sunday matinees which public,” said Parsch. “Personally, processing this are at 3:00 p.m. at the Art Center of particular collection has been quite enjoyable, on page 6 inside. the Ozarks, 214 South Main Street in Springdale, Arkansas. given the operatic There are also several special one- content of the time performances during the season. collection and the inspiration that On Tuesday, July 10 the OIO singers will opera as an art perform a Broadway Cabaret concert. form provides.” On Monday, July 16 the members of the The dedica- orchestra will be featured in a special tion events includ- evening of chamber music. Also, an ed a master voice Opera Scenes performance will take class led by Dr. place on Tuesday, July 17, and a Taste Joel Burcham, an of Opera will be presented on July 18 at OIO alumnus who the Crescent Hotel. is an associate professor of voice Tickets are available at (479) 253- at the University 8595, or visit www.opera.org to order of Oklahoma; online. Specially priced tickets for an opportunity the opening nights are available for OIO Governing Board chair Carole Langley, Danna for participants residents of Carroll, Benton, Washington to explore the Hearn and OIO Treasurer Duane Langley enjoyed review- archives at the and Madison counties. There are also ing some of the OIO historical materials while attending discount tickets available for children the dedication ceremonies of the archives at the University (continued on and students under 18 and for purchases of Arkansas a few weeks ago. page 4) of all three shows. Page 2 Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony From the General Director While it seems that On June 5, we are opening our Cinderella Opera in the Ozarks is season at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks News of only an eight week sea- summer concert series. Our Sunday matinees son, so much happens will be held at the Arts Center of the Ozarks Our Alumni in the off season! Tom in Springdale this season, a new venue for us The Metropolitan Opera Cockrell travels the that promises to be intimate and welcoming, Guild gave soprano Hei- United States conduct- with even a concession stand! We continue to Kung Hong (OIO 1978) ing auditions, while pursue other opportunities to partner with other one of its 2017 Opera Yvonne Creanga handles all the applications, organizations. Awards this spring for money, and schedules. Tom also has the respon- Do you want to be part of the action at sibility of finding and hiring the orchestra and Opera in the Ozarks? You can be a star even if artistic staff. Carole Langley has done yeoman you can’t sing or play an instrument! A modest work in raising money for the season. financial gift will elevate you into our galaxy of As for me, I wrote grant applications stars. A Presenting Sponsorship of a complete during the winter and have recently finished opera production is only $2,500 and the Night writing about 55 contracts for orchestra and of Opera is a steal at $300. We will recognize staff. I also have booked twelve children’s your sponsorship in our program book and at opera venues and a raft of pre-season outreach the performance you choose with a pre-show performances. We have expanded into Missouri announcement. If you would rather fund a schol- with our children’s opera performances and arship, your singer recipient can thank you in will be performing in Cassville and will be person when you attend the opera. Most of our outstanding achievement performing in the children’s summer camp at singers need financial aid to attend our program, at the Metropolitan Opera. the Walton Life Fitness Center. I am especially so scholarship monies are always welcome. She was one of only five happy to have OIO included in the Walton Arts See you soon for a season of Bats, Barbers, people so honored. An Center’s signature festival, Artosphere, where and Babies! extensive article about we will be performing as part of the Crystal her in the April 2018 issue Bridges Garden Party on June 16. of Opera News stated that the Korean-born soprano became one of A Message From the President the early star sopranos of Asian descent, noting that When we think about Opera in the outstanding young singers at OIO who make “her exquisite singing, Ozarks we are happy, humbled, and thankful it all come alive. committed acting and to be a part of that wonderful summer music 2018 will be a season you simply can’t physical beauty breaking center. Through its 68- miss! With three outstanding operas, Rossini’s through all barriers.” year history, some of Il Barbieri Di Siviglia, Moore’s Ballad of She has sung at the the most talented young Baby Doe and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus (two Metropolitan Opera for musicians in our country of them sung in English) what more could over 30 years in over 350 have had life-changing anyone wish for? performances, in operas So thank you for your membership, your by Mozart, Handel, experiences at OIO. In Gounod, Verdi, Donizetti, these pages you’ll get contributions of all kinds and your special Offenbach and Wagner, to read about many of interest in OIO. I look forward to seeing you among others. those highlights plus the out on Rock Candy Mountain and hope you opening of our Archives too will enjoy a great experience there. Baritone Mark Delavan at the University of Thank you again as we continue to (OIO 1984) was praised Arkansas in Fayetteville, and the many ways work together for Opera in the Ozarks. Your in Opera News magazine you have been a part of this great educational dedication and generous spirit helps bring for his portrayal of program in the lists of donors from the Annual the very best for all who study or visit at “the Jochanaan in Richard Point,” a place where we can return again and Strauss’ Salome with Fund, Giving Tuesday and NWA Gives. the Florida Grand We’ve all had a big part in making OIO again, to share in the joy and power of truly Opera. “Mark Delavan successful, but we’re also thrilled to have great opera in a truly beautiful setting. received personal enrichment for ourselves Thank you so much, (continued on page 3) through the great art form of opera and the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony Page 3 A Message From the Artistic Director As you read this newsletter, forty- foundation of strong two talented, accomplished and eager singing that our News of young vocalists are preparing to travel to audiences hear on Inspiration Point to begin what will likely be our stage. Working Our Alumni a transformative step in their development as in our small (continued from artists. coaching rooms, page 2) Last week, in the Alumni of Opera in they sit behind the the Ozarks Facebook group, I asked recent piano eight hours was impressive in his alums of our program to share what they daily as a parade of intelligent interpretation… would be doing this summer and the good vocalists who are news quickly rolled in: the summer festivals “in process” come to them for a coaching. of Santa Fe, Des Moines, Chautauqua, Utah Our singers arrive at The Point with Festival Opera, Opera Saratoga, Central City, a wide spectrum of experience singing in to name a few. Opera in the Ozarks is clearly foreign languages, negotiating the challenges an important step for many aspiring artists. of maintaining a healthy vocal technique and Some familiar and new faces to look for performing their roles with style, clarity and this summer: elegance.