CSU, Chico - Department of Music

OPERA WORKSHOP
"Cultural Gem…Superior Cause"

Opera Workshop

The Opera Workshop program at Chico State offers singers the opportunity to perform a wide variety of opera and operetta music. Students may participate in glorious fully staged productions as well as smaller scenes (Opera highlights) from operas and operettas. Private voice and coaching lessons are available to singers to develop the vocal skills, acting, and technique needed for these demanding rolls and musical styles. Recent major productions include Mozart’s “La Nozze di Figaro,” Puccini’s “La Bohème,” Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” and Verdi’s “La Traviata.” OW opens to both students and community members to participate.

Voice students at California State University Chico can be involved with the Opera Workshop, various university choruses, and musical theater groups. Proper vocal technique, musical styles and acting are the focuses of the Opera Workshop program and will provide singers with essential musical, artistic and vocal skills.

OW History

Opera Workshop was formed in 1959 to provide vocal and dramatic operatic training for students and community members. Opera Workshop provides crucial early training of young voices.

Opera Workshop performances are a vital link between campus and community, serving as an outlet to talented people of all ages, not only in music, but in related theatre arts activities such as dancing, acting, and the design of sets, costumes and lighting.

Opera Workshop has served to awaken on interest in opera locally and through its outreach has brought the voice, as an art form, to people in culturally under-served areas.

Opera Workshop Director, Dr. Ying Yeh, the first prize winner of the prestigious Luciano Pavarotti/Philadelphia Opera Company International Singing Competition, the Chicago Region of the Metropolitan Opera, and countless other awards and prizes, joined CSU, Chico's Music Department in August of 1997. A singer of international acclaim,

Ying Yeh received her master and doctor degrees from New York University, Stony Brook; her artist diploma in opera from Illinois University at Champaign Urbana.
Ying Yeh received her bachelor’s from the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and is one of the most celebrated singers in China. She is the subject of countless Chinese newspapers, magazines, and TV interviews, as well as documentary films. She brings a rich tradition and profound experience to Opera Workshop.

Opera Workshop stages "Opera Highlights" each semester and as well as full length operas at a chosen time.

· Opera Workshop has made its international performing tour to China in 1999.
· Opera Workshop has staged three World Premieres since 1979.
· Opera Workshop, at the request of composers and publishers, performed two scenes for the prestigious National Opera Association convention in l986.
· Opera Workshop outreach efforts in schools provide opportunities for children to experience the fine art of opera.
· Opera Workshop serves the community by performing frequently for local organizations to aid their fundraising.
· National and international performing/exchange tours.
· Bringing in world renowned artists for master classes, workshops to campus.
· Inviting well known artists for recitals, concerts.

BRAVO

The Opera Workshop’s Scholarship Endowment Committee. BRAVO’s purpose is to foster the Opera Workshop Program at Chico State by providing and administering scholarship endowments and awarding yearly student scholarships.

GOALS

· Provide increased scholarship dollars to attract talented students.
· Invite established artists as guest performers and to serve as master teachers.
· Commission an orchestra for the annual full-length opera.
· Increase touring and outreach demonstrations in schools.
· Provide additional technical support and equipment.

Opera Workshop productions including: The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart was produced 1997, La Traviata by Verdi was produced 1999, The Bartered Bride by Smetana was produced in 2001.

Reviews

'If you missed CSU Chico’s “La Traviata,” you missed something truly amazing- a production that, I’d wager, could outdo almost any comparable college production around the country.'
- Ernst Shoen-Rene (Chico News and Review)

'Chico State’s “Marriage of Figaro” blew them all out of the water.'
- Ernst Shoen-Rene(Chico News & Review)

'For more than two decades, the Opera Workshop has been one of the most significant factors in the network of organizations and projects making Chico the cultural center of Northern California.'
-Bill Lee, Enterprise Record

'I hope that you in Chico know what a remarkable thing it is to have this vital opera program growing there. Outside a few large metropolitan areas, this is a rarity that comes about only through the complete dedication of a skillful, experienced and enthusiastic professionals, with the support of an institution that values it.'
- Kirke Mechem, American Composer.

'A marvel of disciplined, coordinated talents, California State University Chico Opera Workshop "Has become a major artistic force in the community…."'
- Robert Speer, Chico News and Review


	OPERA WORKSHOP "Cultural Gem…Superior Cause" Opera Workshop The Opera Workshop program at Chico State offers singers the opportunity to perform a wide variety of opera and operetta music. Students may participate in glorious fully staged productions as well as smaller scenes (Opera highlights) from operas and operettas. Private voice and coaching lessons are available to singers to develop the vocal skills, acting, and technique needed for these demanding rolls and musical styles. Recent major productions include Mozart’s “La Nozze di Figaro,” Puccini’s “La Bohème,” Smetana’s “The Bartered Bride” and Verdi’s “La Traviata.” OW opens to both students and community members to participate. Voice students at California State University Chico can be involved with the Opera Workshop, various university choruses, and musical theater groups. Proper vocal technique, musical styles and acting are the focuses of the Opera Workshop program and will provide singers with essential musical, artistic and vocal skills. OW History Opera Workshop was formed in 1959 to provide vocal and dramatic operatic training for students and community members. Opera Workshop provides crucial early training of young voices. Opera Workshop performances are a vital link between campus and community, serving as an outlet to talented people of all ages, not only in music, but in related theatre arts activities such as dancing, acting, and the design of sets, costumes and lighting. Opera Workshop has served to awaken on interest in opera locally and through its outreach has brought the voice, as an art form, to people in culturally under-served areas. Opera Workshop Director, Dr. Ying Yeh, the first prize winner of the prestigious Luciano Pavarotti/Philadelphia Opera Company International Singing Competition, the Chicago Region of the Metropolitan Opera, and countless other awards and prizes, joined CSU, Chico's Music Department in August of 1997. A singer of international acclaim, Ying Yeh received her master and doctor degrees from New York University, Stony Brook; her artist diploma in opera from Illinois University at Champaign Urbana. Ying Yeh received her bachelor’s from the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and is one of the most celebrated singers in China. She is the subject of countless Chinese newspapers, magazines, and TV interviews, as well as documentary films. She brings a rich tradition and profound experience to Opera Workshop. Opera Workshop stages "Opera Highlights" each semester and as well as full length operas at a chosen time. · Opera Workshop has made its international performing tour to China in 1999. · Opera Workshop has staged three World Premieres since 1979. · Opera Workshop, at the request of composers and publishers, performed two scenes for the prestigious National Opera Association convention in l986. · Opera Workshop outreach efforts in schools provide opportunities for children to experience the fine art of opera. · Opera Workshop serves the community by performing frequently for local organizations to aid their fundraising. · National and international performing/exchange tours. · Bringing in world renowned artists for master classes, workshops to campus. · Inviting well known artists for recitals, concerts. BRAVO The Opera Workshop’s Scholarship Endowment Committee. BRAVO’s purpose is to foster the Opera Workshop Program at Chico State by providing and administering scholarship endowments and awarding yearly student scholarships. GOALS · Provide increased scholarship dollars to attract talented students. · Invite established artists as guest performers and to serve as master teachers. · Commission an orchestra for the annual full-length opera. · Increase touring and outreach demonstrations in schools. · Provide additional technical support and equipment. Opera Workshop productions including: The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart was produced 1997, La Traviata by Verdi was produced 1999, The Bartered Bride by Smetana was produced in 2001. Reviews 'If you missed CSU Chico’s “La Traviata,” you missed something truly amazing- a production that, I’d wager, could outdo almost any comparable college production around the country.' - Ernst Shoen-Rene (Chico News and Review) 'Chico State’s “Marriage of Figaro” blew them all out of the water.' - Ernst Shoen-Rene(Chico News & Review) 'For more than two decades, the Opera Workshop has been one of the most significant factors in the network of organizations and projects making Chico the cultural center of Northern California.' -Bill Lee, Enterprise Record 'I hope that you in Chico know what a remarkable thing it is to have this vital opera program growing there. Outside a few large metropolitan areas, this is a rarity that comes about only through the complete dedication of a skillful, experienced and enthusiastic professionals, with the support of an institution that values it.' - Kirke Mechem, American Composer. 'A marvel of disciplined, coordinated talents, California State University Chico Opera Workshop "Has become a major artistic force in the community…."' - Robert Speer, Chico News and Review		Links ----------------------- · Bands · Choral Ensembles · Opera Workshop · North State Symphony · Jazz Ensembles · Chamber Music · Popular Music Groups · Brass Ensembles · Piano/Keyboard · Organ Contact ----------------------- Dr. Ying Yeh Phone: 898 6966 Email