New Wave Opera was just featured on beloved program, THURSDAYS @ THREE with Christa Wessel on All Classical Radio this afternoon! Performers Lisa Neher, Lindsey Rae Johnson, Gina Adorno, Henriet Fourie, Dru Rutledge, Timothy Lafolette, pianist Susan McDaniel, and director Jeffrey Puukka shared excerpts & insights from our upcoming double bill: WAGS & WHISKERS for a live studio audience, broadcast live to over 5,000 listeners across the region. For those who missed the broadcast, you can hear a recording of New Wave Opera artists on the All Classical Radio archive at the link here (view episode for January 9th) starting in the second half-hour. The broadcast also included a shoutout for our upcoming night of animal-themed music at Mendelssohns (O-PAW-RA NIGHT), highlighted our wonderful partnership with Oregon Humane Society, and even shouted our fun set of social media posts featuring pets from the cast & crew. We're so grateful to All Classical for having us on the air - we can't wait to see our Portland friends at these upcoming events! New Wave Opera WAGS & WHISKERS cast pets!
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New Wave Opera will partner with Oregon Humane Society on upcoming production DECEMBER 30, 2024 – (Portland, OR) – New Wave Opera (NWO) announces an exciting new partnership with the Oregon Humane Society to support animals in the Portland area. The partnership is presented through NWO’s upcoming production, Wags & Whiskers, on January 18th and 19th at University of Portland. “As a brand new opera company, it means the world to us to partner with such a long-standing pillar in Portland” shares NWO President Lisa Neher. “We are proud to be raising both awareness of and funds for their work.”
“We are so grateful to New Wave Opera for their support of animals and our work in the community,” says Tricia Willett, Oregon Humane Society Events Coordinator. “OHS relies on donations to support our lifesaving work including pet adoption, veterinary care, behavior and training, and humane law enforcement.”
HOW TO DONATE ITEMS TO OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY In general, OHS can accept most brand new or gently used pet items, such as new and open pet food (in original packaging only), leashes and collars, bowls, toys, clean litter boxes, and more. For a full list of needs, please visit our Amazon Wishlist. You can bring items with you to the opera, or purchase from the wishlist directly. If you have questions about a potential donation, please reach out to [email protected]. ABOUT WAGS & WHISKERS
ABOUT OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY |
Oregon Humane Society is the largest animal welfare organization in the Northwest, with campuses in Salem and Portland, including a new Community Veterinary Hospital. OHS offers a wide variety of services from pet adoption, training, humane law enforcement, veterinary care, humane education, and disaster response. Founded in 1868 by noted humanitarian Thomas Lamb Eliot, Oregon Humane Society is one of the oldest and most respected animal welfare organizations in the United States. With campuses in Portland and Salem, we are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness, and respect. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in our care needs medical attention, the medical team provides that pet with the same level of care you would want your own pet to receive. |
Visit OREGONHUMANE.ORG for more information.
DECEMBER 23, 2024 – (Portland, OR) – New Wave Opera’s next event will present an absolute menagerie of contemporary music for piano & operatic treble-makers. This animal-inspired set of music includes crocodiles, cats, snakes, birds, and even a hippo!
“We are thrilled to perform such a wide array of music about animals,” says NWO President & Resident Mezzo-Soprano, Lisa Neher. “While some of the works are surprisingly moving and insightful, there is a ton of funny and playful music as well.”
“We are thrilled to perform such a wide array of music about animals,” says NWO President & Resident Mezzo-Soprano, Lisa Neher. “While some of the works are surprisingly moving and insightful, there is a ton of funny and playful music as well.”
Attendees can enjoy a punderfully-delicious Mendelssohns cocktail while hearing an eclectic variety of dramatic works for voice and piano. The performance will feature selections by Melissa Dunphy & Nikita Gill, Jake Heggie, Thea Musgrave, Portland's own Lisa Neher, Drew Swatosh, and Dianne Davies, and more. New Wave Opera will also preview select works from January’s upcoming Wags & Whiskers production (Pepito by Nicolás Lell Benavides & Marella Martin Koch and Meow and Forever by Jodi Goble & Basil Considine). “Mendelssohns is a great venue, especially for first-time attendees,” shares NWO Resident Soprano, Lindsey Rae Johnson. ”The more casual atmosphere lets you engage at your own pace, and there are friendly faces from the music community. It’s always a wonderful time at Mendelssohns!” |
Featured performers include sopranos Lindsey Rae Johnson and Henriët Fourie, mezzo Lisa Neher, and pianist Susan McDaniel. Special guest composer-pianist Dianne Davies will complete the evening, with performances of her original works Haven and My Father’s Voice.
To read more about the night's featured artists, click on any of the images above. $10 cover charge at the door, no registration required. To learn more about this show and more from the upcoming season, visit NEWWAVEOPERA.ORG.
Join us at the O-PAW-RA! WHAT: O-PAW-RA NIGHT @MENDELSSOHNS WHEN: Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 8 PM to late WHERE: Mendelssohns Bar | 3955 N Mississippi Ave | Portland, OR | 97227 TICKETS: No registration required COST: $10 cover charge at the door |
November 26, 2024 - PORTLAND, OR - On January 18th and 19th, New Wave Opera presents a double-bill of two family-friendly "o-paw-ras" that focus on animals and found family: PEPITO (Nicolás Lell Benavides & Marella Martin Koch) and MEOW AND FOREVER (Jodi Goble & Basil Considine). The program will take place at the Mago Hunt Recital Hall at University of Portland.
"We couldn't be more proud to present these two works, both written by living composers and librettists," says NWO president & resident mezzo, Lisa Neher. "We are so grateful to Nicole Hanig and her department at University of Portland for providing this space for us to share these two fantastic operas."
Pepito follows the story of a lonely shelter dog (Timothy Lafolette) who is - at last - being considered for adoption by a young couple (Brandon Michael and Lindsey Rae Johnson). However, as Pepito begins to bond with one partner more than the other, tensions arise to the point where the shelter owner (Lisa Neher) asks them the hard question: are they sure they are ready for this?
Meow and Forever features two cats (Lisa Neher and Dru Rutledge) looking on at their owner's love life (Gina Adorno). As their owner gets swept away in a whirlwind romance with a newfound love (Lindsey Rae Johnson), she neglects her best friend (Henriët Fourie) - and her cats! One misunderstanding leads to another, but - as the librettist promises - "happy ending guaranteed!"
The productions will be directed by Jeffrey Puukka, with Susan McDaniel at the piano. "It has been a dream of mine to direct opera," shares Puukka, who brings over 20 years of experience directing theatrical productions, ranging from classics to immersive performance art projects, to world premiere productions of new plays. "I am delighted to collaborate with New Wave Opera for the first time!"
The production is supported by RACC (Regional Arts and Culture Council), which provided support for ASL interpreting services (available on the Saturday evening performance), as well as support for live-captioning for both performances.
"We are especially thankful to RACC for supporting this project," says NWO resident soprano and board treasurer Lindsey Rae Johnson. "Thanks to their help, we are able to provide this programming to a wide array of families, first-time attendees, and audiences often overlooked by standard productions. We are proud to be providing the captions and ASL services as part of this run of performances."
"We couldn't be more proud to present these two works, both written by living composers and librettists," says NWO president & resident mezzo, Lisa Neher. "We are so grateful to Nicole Hanig and her department at University of Portland for providing this space for us to share these two fantastic operas."
Pepito follows the story of a lonely shelter dog (Timothy Lafolette) who is - at last - being considered for adoption by a young couple (Brandon Michael and Lindsey Rae Johnson). However, as Pepito begins to bond with one partner more than the other, tensions arise to the point where the shelter owner (Lisa Neher) asks them the hard question: are they sure they are ready for this?
Meow and Forever features two cats (Lisa Neher and Dru Rutledge) looking on at their owner's love life (Gina Adorno). As their owner gets swept away in a whirlwind romance with a newfound love (Lindsey Rae Johnson), she neglects her best friend (Henriët Fourie) - and her cats! One misunderstanding leads to another, but - as the librettist promises - "happy ending guaranteed!"
The productions will be directed by Jeffrey Puukka, with Susan McDaniel at the piano. "It has been a dream of mine to direct opera," shares Puukka, who brings over 20 years of experience directing theatrical productions, ranging from classics to immersive performance art projects, to world premiere productions of new plays. "I am delighted to collaborate with New Wave Opera for the first time!"
The production is supported by RACC (Regional Arts and Culture Council), which provided support for ASL interpreting services (available on the Saturday evening performance), as well as support for live-captioning for both performances.
"We are especially thankful to RACC for supporting this project," says NWO resident soprano and board treasurer Lindsey Rae Johnson. "Thanks to their help, we are able to provide this programming to a wide array of families, first-time attendees, and audiences often overlooked by standard productions. We are proud to be providing the captions and ASL services as part of this run of performances."
WAGS & WHISKERS: TWO O-PAW-RAS ABOUT FAMILY
**Saturday evening's performance will include live ASL interpretation. You can request to be seated in this section when you purchase your tickets. If you have questions, feel free to contact us directly. | WHEN Saturday, January 18 @7:30pm** Sunday, January 19 @ 2pm WHERE Mago Hunt Recital Hall University of Portland | 5000 N Willamette Blvd Portland, OR | 97203 COST $30 - General Admission $15 - Student/Seniors/Artists/Veterans $10 - Children under 12 $5 - Arts for All FREE for U of Portland Student/Faculty/Staff |
NOVEMBER 8, 2024 - PORTLAND, OR - Last month, New Wave Opera produced our first-ever fully-staged production: NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA, featuring four operas by living composers, as well as a new art song. Over 500 people attended, filling the Manor with lively conversation and applause throughout both evenings.
With over two dozen arts & entertainment organizations donating items for our silent auction, countless shout-outs about our event from our arts and media partners, and generous donations from attendees & supporters - not to mention the wonderful guest appearance by our friends at Renegade Opera - our community helped New Wave Opera raise over $10,000 in October! |
These contributions will go a long way to helping us bring the work of living artists to listeners throughout Portland and beyond - funding video recordings of our performances, supporting fair artist wages, and creating more avenues of accessibility to attend & enjoy the world of contemporary opera. New Wave Opera's role in providing a platform for artists to share the stories they want to tell, creating more opportunity for underrepresented voice types in opera, and providing paid work to locally-based performers will be more important than ever in the coming years, and we couldn't be more excited to dig in and do the work necessary to make it happen.
THANK YOU to everyone who attended, donated, spread the word, participated in our auction, and sent their well-wishes! It can be intimidating to start such a multi-faceted, collaborative endeavor, but we have been overwhelmed this year by the enthusiasm, support, and generosity of our community - both in Portland, and beyond. |
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more about our next program (WAGS & WHISKERS), recordings of the five contemporary works featured on NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA, as well as our dreams for future seasons. If you've enjoyed any of our programming this year, we encourage you to join our community horde of supporters and get on our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all our projects!
On October 21st & 23rd, New Wave Opera heads back to Raven's Manor Haunted Bar for our first fully-produced opera program: NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA. Today, we are excited to share more about our wonderful performers who will be bringing these four regional premieres to life!
LINDSEY RAE JOHNSON, SOPRANO
CAROLYN QUICK, SOPRANO
LISA NEHER, MEZZO
ALLISON KIM-YOK KNOTTS, MEZZO
BRANDON MICHAEL, TENOR
DEAC GUIDI, BASS
SEQUOIA, PIANO
LINDSEY RAE JOHNSON, SOPRANO
CAROLYN QUICK, SOPRANO
LISA NEHER, MEZZO
ALLISON KIM-YOK KNOTTS, MEZZO
BRANDON MICHAEL, TENOR
DEAC GUIDI, BASS
SEQUOIA, PIANO
Soprano Lindsey Rae Johnson hails from Minnesota. After earning music degrees from Luther College and the University of North Texas, she relocated to Portland. Recent roles include Victoria/Vitellia (adaptation of La clemenza di Tito), Gertrud (Hänsel und Gretel), Foreign Princess (Rusalka), and Freia and Wellgunde (Das Rheingold). Lindsey has performed locally with Portland Opera, Renegade Opera, Ping & Woof Opera, Lark Opera, Queer Opera, OperaBend, Opera on Tap, Light Opera of Portland, Anonymous Theatre Company, Mocks Crest Productions, Portland SummerFest, Classical Revolution PDX, Mendelssohns, and the Dickens Carolers. She has also worked with Fort Worth Opera, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Oberlin in Italy, Frost School of Music in Salzburg, and Lamplighters Music Theatre. Lindsey serves on the AGMA Board of Governors and is a Musical Artist in Residence with The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Baptist. ROLES IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA: Lead (Soprano) | THUMP Jane | Serial Killers & the City Grissall's Mother / Villager | she conjures | With a voice known for its “pure timbre” (Opera News), Portland Composer-Soprano Carolyn Quick’s (she/her) performance credits include Eugene Opera’s production of Britten’s Turn of the Screw, Handel’s Messiah with Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, Vivaldi’s Gloria, RV 589 with South Puget Sound Community College, and Charpentier’s Messe de minuit Pour Noel with Portland Symphonic Choir. Carolyn has sung with Queer Opera, Uzmah-Upbeat Summer Music Program, and Oregon Bach Festival’s Vocal Fellows Program. She is also an avid chorister, singing with Cappella Romana, Resonance Ensemble, and In Medio. As a composer and singer, Carolyn has a love for contemporary music and has premiered over a dozen contemporary works. Most recently, Carolyn competed in the NATS Classical Student Auditions, advancing to the National Round with a program spanning Margaret Bonds to Charles Gounod. When she isn’t singing, Carolyn enjoys hiking, spotting cute dogs, and spending time with family and friends. ROLES IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA: Guest Soloist (Monday) Amelia | Serial Killers & the City Villager | she conjures |
Dr. Lisa Neher (she/her) is an award-winning composer and new music mezzo on a mission to transform audiences through sound, story, and vulnerability. A singer of “great stamina” with the power to “open up and shine” (New York Classical Review) using her “full and rich” and “especially alive” voice (Oregon Arts Watch), Neher’s performance credits include Third Angle New Music, Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Resonance Ensemble, Experiments in Opera, and Renegade Opera. She is President of New Wave Opera and a member of Portland Opera Chorus. A “supremely talented,” “visionary composer,” (Willamette Week), “maestro of beautifully wacky noises” (Oregon Arts Watch) and author of “liquid, impressionist piano writing and fluent melding” of voices (New York Classical Review), Neher’s compositions are inspired by the climate crisis, the tender love of friends, and the mystery of ocean life. Her commissioners include NATS, Cincinnati Song Initiative, Third Angle New Music, and Opera Elect. She is Composer in Residence for the Beaverton Community Band. ROLES IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA: Lead (Mezzo) | THUMP Sophia | Serial Killers & the City Villager | she conjures | Mezzo-soprano Allison Kim-Yok Knotts is from Portland, Oregon, and has studied with Nancy Olson Chatalas, Allison Swensen Mitchell, and Megan Sand. She has performed with the Corvallis Repertory Singers, the Willamette Master Chorus, Opera on Tap Portland, Ping & Woof Opera, Portland Summer Opera Workshop, Portland Summerfest, Our Song Artists, Bend Opera, Lark Opera, Renegade Opera, and Portland Opera. ROLES IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA: Katy | Serial Killers & the City Grissall | she conjures |
Brandon Michael (he/him) has become the go-to performer for musical theater and opera in the inland Northwest. Brandon's warm and burnished tenor voice has been praised by audiences and critics for its richness, ease and versatility. In opera, Brandon has sung the roles of Fenton, Goro, Don Basilio, The Witch, and Spoletta. Brandon is equally at home on the musical theater stage, where the color and remarkable range of his voice has allowed him to play characters as varied as Emile DeBecque in South Pacific, to Pirelli in Sweeney Todd. He has sung with Portland Opera, Inland Northwest Opera, Village Theater, Coeur D’Alene Summer Theater as well as the Spokane Symphony and Resonance Ensemble. Trained in New York at the Atlantic Theatre Company, Brandon has also celebrated his Asian descent as a performer with 2g Theater and the Asian American theatrical community in New York and Seattle. ROLES IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA: Lead (Tenor) | THUMP Waiter | Serial Killers & the City Villager | she conjures | Deac Guidi first sang in the choruses of the Intermountain Opera Association’s Tosca, Don Pasquale, and Faust then went on to do secondary roles in Madame Butterfly and The Barber of Seville. Since that time, he has gone on to perform roles with opera companies throughout the northwest including Portland Opera, OrpheusPDX, Oregon Symphony,Tacoma Opera, Opera Theater Oregon, Cascadia Chamber Opera and Summerfest Opera in the Park. His repertoire stretches from baroque to 20th century compositions including over 50 roles. Most recently he was seen with Portland Opera as the Sacristan in their recent production of Tosca and as Caronte in L’Orfeo with OrpheusPDX. Over the summer he had performances including Masetto in Don Giovanni with the Cascadia Concert Opera summer festival, and Rocco in Fidelio with Puget Sound Concert Opera as well as the bass soloist in the Bruckner Requiem with the Portland Unitarian Church and Choir. Over the holiday season with the North Coast Chorale he sang bass solos in the Messiah and was the bass soloist in the Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns. He was recently seen as Dr. Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love by Donizetti with the Cascadia Chamber Opera Festival. ROLES IN NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA: The Artist | The Oval Portrait Agent Small | Serial Killers & the City Magistrate | she conjures |
As a classical pianist, British-born Sequoia has worked for such companies as the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Rambert Dance Company, the BBC Singers and the acclaimed music theater group, the Clod Ensemble. Since his arrival in Portland he has worked regularly for Portland Opera, Opera Theater Oregon, and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. He also enjoys working in progressive music outside of the classical box, and has performed and collaborated with the likes of rock legends Mark E Smith (The Fall), Damo Suzuki (Can), and jazz/improvising luminaries Meredith Monk, Jacqui Dankworth & Barb Jungr. |
NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA
WHEN: Monday, October 21st & Wednesday, October 23rd | 5pm - midnight WHERE: Raven's Manor Haunted Bar | 235 SW 1st Ave | Portland, OR | 97204 COST: $10 cover charge online, $15 at the door ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Ages 21+ only. Reservations are currently sold out, but walk-ins are welcome on both performance nights. We will perform off & on throughout the evening, so come anytime! Food & Drink available for purchase from the bar. Contact Raven's Manor for full menu & accommodation information. BE THE FIRST IN THE KNOW - sign up for our mailing list today to get the latest updates on our events, recordings, and more |
and don't forget our silent auction - happening NOW through October 25th!
Over 20 local arts & entertainment organizations have come together in support of New Wave Opera!
On Friday, October 11th through Friday, October 25th, New Wave Opera will be holding an online auction in support of our future programming - all featuring items from local arts organizations, restaurants, individual artists, and more!!
Concert tickets for sure-to-sell out shows, merch and CDs from beloved arts organizations, exclusive access to exciting new programs, beautiful handmade goods, and several **mystery prizes** are all on offer - with MORE items being added between now and the auction opening!
SOME UNIQUE ITEMS ON OFFER:
Concert tickets for sure-to-sell out shows, merch and CDs from beloved arts organizations, exclusive access to exciting new programs, beautiful handmade goods, and several **mystery prizes** are all on offer - with MORE items being added between now and the auction opening!
SOME UNIQUE ITEMS ON OFFER:
| Not sure what you want? Check out our mystery prizes to get something special we've set aside |
and MORE to be announced in the coming days!
REGISTER FOR THE AUCTION TODAY!
Click the link below to be the first to explore the auction items and sign up for a secure account through GiveButter
Click the link below to be the first to explore the auction items and sign up for a secure account through GiveButter
All proceeds will fund future programming of operas by living composers from around the world, performed by artists living in the PNW.
A HUGE thank you to all the wonderful organizations & artists who donated!
RENEGADE OPERA | RAVEN'S MANOR | OPERA ON TAP PORTLAND
CHAMBER MUSIC NORTHWEST | FEAR NO MUSIC | PORTLAND OPERA | CHATTER PDX
ALL CLASSICAL RADIO | OH! CREATIVE | RACHEL HADIASHAR (ZING STUDIO)
IN MULIERIBUS | RESONANCE ENSEMBLE | IN MEDIO CHOIR
HOLLYWOOD THEATRE | MILAGRO THEATRE | PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE
PROFILE THEATRE | PORTLAND CENTER STAGE | HOPSCOTCH | PDX INSECTARIUM
DUFFEY WOODCRAFT | WONDERWOOD SPRINGS | MICHAELEEN & LISA NEHER
We will be highlighting these wonderful organizations in the coming weeks on our social media channels - follow us @NewWaveOpera!
CHAMBER MUSIC NORTHWEST | FEAR NO MUSIC | PORTLAND OPERA | CHATTER PDX
ALL CLASSICAL RADIO | OH! CREATIVE | RACHEL HADIASHAR (ZING STUDIO)
IN MULIERIBUS | RESONANCE ENSEMBLE | IN MEDIO CHOIR
HOLLYWOOD THEATRE | MILAGRO THEATRE | PORTLAND PLAYHOUSE
PROFILE THEATRE | PORTLAND CENTER STAGE | HOPSCOTCH | PDX INSECTARIUM
DUFFEY WOODCRAFT | WONDERWOOD SPRINGS | MICHAELEEN & LISA NEHER
We will be highlighting these wonderful organizations in the coming weeks on our social media channels - follow us @NewWaveOpera!
SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 - Portland, Oregon - New Wave Opera is proud to present the third program of their inaugural season: NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA. In partnership with the iconic Raven’s Manor Haunted Bar New Wave Opera (NWO) presents the regional premieres of four contemporary operas, featuring the work of six living composers and librettists, as well as settings of short stories by Edgar Allan Poe.
The two Poe productions are THUMP, a setting of “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Portland-based composer and NWO composer-in-residence Kimberly R. Osberg, and The Oval Portrait, a setting of several Poe writings by composer Felix Jarrar. Composer Osberg will not only be attending the performances, but will also serve as director for two shows.
The two Poe productions are THUMP, a setting of “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Portland-based composer and NWO composer-in-residence Kimberly R. Osberg, and The Oval Portrait, a setting of several Poe writings by composer Felix Jarrar. Composer Osberg will not only be attending the performances, but will also serve as director for two shows.
“Raven’s Manor is deeply dedicated to immersive storytelling, and the Poe connections speak for themselves the moment you walk in,” says Osberg, also NWO’s resident composer. “We couldn’t have imagined a better partner to present these productions.” "The Poe connections" abound as New Wave Opera also hosts an exclusive preview of Renegade Opera’s upcoming world premiere of THE RAVEN, a new chamber opera by composer Jesse Preis during the Wednesday evening performance. “Both of our organizations are deeply passionate about showcasing work by living artists and providing a space for new work to develop and shine,” says Renegade Opera Executive Director Madeline Ross. “We are thrilled to unveil some of this incredible production coming to life in November!” |
The other two productions are Lisa Neher and Bea Goodwin’s she conjures (a feminist tale of revenge and redemption featuring Scottish influences) and the west coast premiere of Del’Shawn Taylor and Joanie Brittingham’s hilarious Serial Killers and the City (a killer parody on the beloved TV classic, Sex and the City). Neher, who also appeared in the world premiere of Serial Killers and the City in New York City this past summer, will not only reprise her role in the production but also direct. |
“It is a dream come true to present such an exciting program,” says Neher. “These shows are so different from one another, and really highlight the range of what opera can be and who it can be for. It’s the perfect way for those new to opera to give it a chance, and for long-time opera fans to discover something truly new."
Featured performers include sopranos Lindsey Rae Johnson and Carolyn Quick, mezzos Lisa Neher and Allison Kim-Yok Knotts, tenor Brandon Michael, bass Deac Guidi, and pianist Sequoia. New Wave Opera artists will be repeating their performances throughout the evening from 5 until midnight - so stop by for a delicious dinner or grab some late drinks with friends!
Summaries for each show can be found on the event page.
Summaries for each show can be found on the event page.
In addition to the show itself, New Wave Opera is hosting an online silent auction - featuring items from local arts organizations and businesses like Raven's Manor, Portland Opera, Chamber Music Northwest, and more. "There is a real collaborative spirit among people in Portland that we really cherish," says New Wave Opera soprano and board treasurer, Lindsey Rae Johnson. "We are so overwhelmed by the positive response to our inaugural season, and that so many of the arts organizations and businesses we admire were so gracious in providing such generous and unique items for the auction in support of our future programming!" |
The auction will open in mid-October, and run until 11:59pm PT on Friday, October 25th. Sign up for the New Wave Opera newsletter to be first in-the-know when the bidding goes live!
RESERVATIONS FOR THIS EVENT ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED AND SPACE IS LIMITED. Reservations are available though the Raven’s Manor website (be sure you have the correct number of people in your party selected to view available seating options!). A $10 cover charge applies when you reserve online (non-refundable), or $15 at the door. Reservations will only be held for a maximum of 10 minutes from your arrival time. If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so through your reservation confirmation email. While walk-ins are welcome, wait times are expected to vary widely throughout the night. 21+ only. For full reservation information, visit the event page (bottom of page).
NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA
WHEN: Monday, October 21st & Wednesday, October 23rd | 5pm - midnight WHERE: Raven's Manor Haunted Bar | 235 SW 1st Ave | Portland, OR | 97204 COST: $10 cover charge online, $15 at the door ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Ages 21+ only. No RSVP required, but reservations available via Raven's Manor. We will perform off & on throughout the evening, so come anytime! Food & Drink available for purchase from the bar. Contact Raven's Manor for full menu & accommodation information. BE THE FIRST IN THE KNOW - sign up for our mailing list today to get the latest updates on our events, recordings, and more |
Coming up on Saturday, October 5th, New Wave Opera is heading to Mendelssohns classical music bar for an evening of silly & seriously spooky vocal music. The event, Scream Queens, will feature selections exclusively from living composers - including collaborations with living librettists, as well as modern settings of classic texts by authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Lewis Carroll.
Today we're taking a closer look at the origins of this event, as well as introducing you to a few scream queens of our own!
Today we're taking a closer look at the origins of this event, as well as introducing you to a few scream queens of our own!
So why SCREAM QUEENS?
In the spirit of the Halloween season, we've named this event in honor of both the amazing actresses who have played "scream queen" roles in horror films and as well as a lighthearted reference to treble voices being thought of as "screaming" out high notes.
In the spirit of the Halloween season, we've named this event in honor of both the amazing actresses who have played "scream queen" roles in horror films and as well as a lighthearted reference to treble voices being thought of as "screaming" out high notes.
Women have long played prominent roles in horror films, though their characters can range widely from "boobs in distress" to deeply complex and compelling characters. The silent film era, with their more exaggerated and almost dance-like movements to compensate for the lack of spoken dialogue, included films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922). One of the first famous film scream roles with sound came from Fay Wray in 1933's King Kong, particularly when she is snatched from the building and brought up the tower. |
While "Hitchcock blondes" like Janet Leigh certainly did their share of screaming throughout the decades, the 1960's and 1970's brought a slew of horror genres, both in the United States and abroad. Marilyn Burns' harrowing portrayal of Sally Hardesty in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Jamie Lee Curtis's iconic Laurie Strode from Halloween (1978) are among some of the more famous examples from the United States, but the giallo films (a genre spawned from Italian crime-mystery pulp novels with yellow covers [giallo means yellow in Italian]) brought scream queens out of "pure horror" films and into mystery and crime with films like Blood and Black Lace (1964), Orgasmo (1969), Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972), All the Colors of the Dark (1972), and giallo-king Dario Argento's films like The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970) and Suspiria (1977).
By the 1980's, horror had become a rich, varied, and well-established genre. While there was certainly its share of sexploitation and racist tropes, horror had also meaningfully confronted and explored a number of social issues with films like Night of the Living Dead (1968), Rosemary's Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), Black Christmas (1974), The Stepford Wives (1975), and Carrie (1976) - to name a few. Scream queen roles proliferated throughout the 80's, 90's, and early thousands, seeing stars like Debbie Rochon, Neve Campbell (star of several Troma Production horror films), Sheryl Lee (Twin Peaks), Bollywood's Bipasha Basu (Raaz [2002] and Aatma [2014]), and Shauna Macdonald (The Descent [2005] is NOT for the faint of heart!), while continuing to defy sexist tropes and push & transform the power of scream queens.
How is this relevant to New Wave Opera?
New Wave Opera is committed to not only sharing stories by living composers and librettists, but also seeks to emphasize treble voices, which are largely underused in standard opera repertoire. While some audience favorites like Carmen and La Boheme feature women in leading and supporting roles, the quantity of actual roles available to women - and the stories that are represented - still leave a lot to be desired (see a fascinating article on this topic by the Guardian here); not to mention, of course, the near-absence of compelling roles for older voices and trans and non-binary vocalists. |
New Wave Opera's programming this season heavily features treble voices, and includes the work of several dozen composers & librettists whose identities have been underrepresented in opera. We love a good horror story, the operatic form, and so many of the classic tales & characters who got us interested in music as storytelling - but we've had enough of the death-by-love-or-tuberculosis! We are ready for opera's Laurie Strode, Sally Hardesty, Carrie - and new stories and roles that better reflect our modern understanding of what it means to be a fully-realized character.
Meet Our Scream Queens!
New Wave Opera is proud to announce the cast for our upcoming program at Mendelssohns classical music bar, SCREAM QUEENS: AN EVENING OF VOICES IN TREBLE, on Saturday, October 5th from 8-10pm.
Pianist Hannah Early (left) joins mezzo Lisa Neher and sopranos Lindsey Rae Johnson and Carolyn Quick for an evening of fun & spooky art songs, opera arias and duets, and more. Featured selections include works by New Wave Opera composers Kimberly Osberg & Lisa Neher, plus selections by Melissa Dunphy & Nikita Gill, Jodi Goble & Basil Considine, Monica Chew & Sandra Flores-Strand, William Bolcom, Jake Heggie, Portland's own Dianne Davies and Carolyn Quick, and more. Read more about the artists on our bios page!
Registration for the event not required, so drop by anytime between 8 and 10 to hear the music and enjoy a pun-derful cocktail or delicious bites. The only thing higher than our notes is the iconic high-rise stage, so be sure to drop by and check out this musician-favorite spot for yourself.
We hope you can join us for a screaming-good time!
Pianist Hannah Early (left) joins mezzo Lisa Neher and sopranos Lindsey Rae Johnson and Carolyn Quick for an evening of fun & spooky art songs, opera arias and duets, and more. Featured selections include works by New Wave Opera composers Kimberly Osberg & Lisa Neher, plus selections by Melissa Dunphy & Nikita Gill, Jodi Goble & Basil Considine, Monica Chew & Sandra Flores-Strand, William Bolcom, Jake Heggie, Portland's own Dianne Davies and Carolyn Quick, and more. Read more about the artists on our bios page!
Registration for the event not required, so drop by anytime between 8 and 10 to hear the music and enjoy a pun-derful cocktail or delicious bites. The only thing higher than our notes is the iconic high-rise stage, so be sure to drop by and check out this musician-favorite spot for yourself.
We hope you can join us for a screaming-good time!
SCREAM QUEENS A NIGHT OF VOICES IN TREBLE! WHEN: Saturday, October 5 | 8 to late WHERE: Mendelssohns | 3955 N Mississippi Ave | Portland, OR | 97227 COST: $10 cover charge at the door ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Ages 21+ only. No RSVP required! Food & Drink available for purchase from the bar. Visit the Mendelssohns website for full menu & accommodation information. Learn more on the event page linked here. |
Help us raise the dead in time for our production of
NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA!
NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA!
SEPTEMBER 10 - PORTLAND, OR - New Wave Opera announces a stretch campaign to raise $2,000 in support of the upcoming production, NIGHT OF THE LIVING OPERA, before November 1st.
"With four regional premieres as part of these evenings, we really hope to make the performances something special," says NWO President Lisa Neher. "With additional support from our community, we can not only ensure a great live experiences for those who attend, but also make this work accessible online for free - giving each of these shows a life after the performance."
"With four regional premieres as part of these evenings, we really hope to make the performances something special," says NWO President Lisa Neher. "With additional support from our community, we can not only ensure a great live experiences for those who attend, but also make this work accessible online for free - giving each of these shows a life after the performance."
In support of this initiative, New Wave Opera will be giving incentives to donors at various levels, including a few truly unique perks. "The characters in my opera, THUMP, are currently unnamed," says NWO Resident Composer, Kimberly Osberg. "In support of these productions, and also in celebration of the opera's 10-year anniversary, I'm excited to share that these characters will receive names from our top three donors, along with a special print of the score that includes the updated names from the production." |
Any amount raised beyond the goal will be allocated to the upcoming family-friendly shows in the Spring of 2025, including Basil Considine & Joannie Brittingham's Meow and Forever, which New Wave Opera audiences heard previewed this summer. "We are so grateful to the support we've received from the community and share their hunger for more opera in our area," says New Wave Opera resident soprano Lindsey Rae Johnson. "Opera can be prohibitively expensive for many, and this additional support will help us keep our programming affordable and accessible to as many people as possible throughout our season." |
More information on the campaign and how to give can be found below, and on the SUPPORT US tab of the New Wave Opera website. The campaign runs from September 10th through November 1st, so supporters can give before, during, or after the shows on October 21st & 23rd.
CAMPAIGN DETAILS
HELP NEW WAVE OPERA RAISE THE DEAD! HORDE level donors will receive acknowledgement on the program and on our website UNDERLINGS will get their name on the program, website, and on our YouTube videos, along with a free event poster signed by the cast! FAMILIARS reap the benefits of underlings AND will get one of our props named after them - we'll share what prop we picked out along with a shout-out to you on social media (PROPS TO YOU)! |
NECROMANCERS will receive a truly unique thank you in addition to the benefits of the familiars - one of the currently unnamed characters in THUMP will be specially named after you, and you'll even get a signed copy of the score to prove it to your friends!
This exclusive perk will only be available to three recipients.
This exclusive perk will only be available to three recipients.
HOW TO DONATE
However method or however much you choose to give, please let us know how you'd like to be acknowledged on our supporter lists! All donors will be acknowledged on our programs and websites, with larger gifts also being acknowledged on video content. If you'd prefer to stay anonymous, just let us know!
DIGITAL GIVING | VIA CHECKMake checks payable to "New Wave Opera" New Wave Opera 11605 SW 31st Court Portland, OR 97219 USA When you mail your check, send us an email so we can confirm with you when it arrives! |
If you'd like to donate with cash, get in touch with us directly at [email protected].
or help us reach our goal even faster with matching!
Did you know? Many workplaces offer matching donations. This is a fantastic way to make your gift go even further!
We are a registered cause with Benevity, which works with many large companies in North America. Contact us for help setting up a matching gift with your employer.
Our Cause ID Number is: 840-934152039
We are a registered cause with Benevity, which works with many large companies in North America. Contact us for help setting up a matching gift with your employer.
Our Cause ID Number is: 840-934152039
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING NEW WAVE OPERA!
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