PortOpera.org is the website of the Portland Opera Repertory Theater
Title
PORTopera, Portland, Maine
Description
Bruce Hangen , who had been Music Director of the Portland Symphony for 10 years (1976-1985), had dreamed of forming an opera company in Maine. Even though he left Maine to become Music Director of the Omaha (NE) Symphony, he dreamed of returning to Maine for opera with a summer season. When Portland’s State Theater became available in 1994, there was at last a place where opera in full production could be performed. Hangen assembled a group of friends and supporters to form the Portland Opera Repertory Theatre (PORTopera).
The company’s first performances took place in July, 1995 at the State Theater with Bizet’s “Carmen”. The production was an instant success both with critics and audiences. In 1996, the company produced Puccini’s “ Madama Butterfly” at the State with an ever-greater acclaim. The 1996 season also introduced PORTopera ’s Young Artists Program—an educational endeavor to help the careers of emerging young singers.
In 1997, PORTopera moved to the newly-renovated Merrill Auditorium in Portland with a full-scale production of Puccini’s “Tosca” that was sold out in two performances and received wide acclaim not only locally, but nationally. The Young Artists Program was expanded to include six operatic recital programs in other parts of the state.
Contact
- portland opera
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- Portland ME
- United States 04101
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- +1.9999999999
