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Cincinnati Opera Announces 2024 Summer Festival, Featuring World Premiere of McCartney’s ‘Liverpool Oratorio’

Cincinnati Opera has announced its 2024 Summer Festival, which will feature the world stage premiere of “Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio.” The festival will also include new productions of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and Verdi’s “La Traviata.” This marks the first theatrical staging of McCartney’s oratorio. Specific performance dates and casting details are expected to be announced later. The programming aims to present a diverse and engaging season for opera lovers.

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Cincinnati Opera Launches $5 Million Black Opera Project

Cincinnati Opera has unveiled The Black Opera Project, a $5 million initiative dedicated to commissioning and showcasing new operas by Black artists. This ambitious project aims to diversify the operatic repertoire and highlight the Black experience. The inaugural production, “Lalovavi,” an Afrofuturist grand opera with music by Kevin Day and libretto by Tifara Brown, will premiere on Juneteenth 2025 at Cincinnati Music Hall. The project underscores the company’s commitment to inclusivity and the development of contemporary operatic works.

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ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Announces Diverse 2024-2025 Season

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra has announced its diverse 2024-2025 season, marking its 46th year of performances. The season will feature renowned artists, beloved classical works, and the premieres of two new commissioned pieces. Music Director David Danzmayr and Creative Partner Vadim Gluzman will lead the orchestra through a program designed to offer both traditional and contemporary musical experiences.

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Opera Columbus Announces “The Temple” Immersive Magic Flute Experience

Opera Columbus is set to wrap up its 42nd season with a unique, immersive production titled “A Magic Flute Experience: The Temple.” This reimagined version of Mozart’s classic opera will feature a new English-language libretto, aiming to enhance inclusivity and accessibility for contemporary audiences. Performances are scheduled from April 19-28 at a secret speakeasy-style venue in Downtown Columbus, with the location revealed closer to the performance dates. The production promises a captivating blend of opera, theatre, and circus arts, drawing inspiration from various entertainment forms to create a memorable experience. The General Director expressed optimism that the innovative approach will appeal to a broad range of theatergoers, making opera accessible to everyone.

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Opera Columbus and Columbus Symphony Announce “Eugene Onegin” Premiere

Opera Columbus, alongside the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and CAPA, is set to stage “Eugene Onegin” for the very first time in Columbus’ history. The opera will be performed on March 1 and 2 at the Ohio Theatre. Directed by Rosetta Cucchi and conducted by Rossen Milanov, the production promises a visually and musically stunning experience, based on Pushkin’s famed novel. “Eugene Onegin” explores themes of love, rejection, and tragedy. The performances will be sung in Russian with English supertitles, offering a comprehensive operatic experience for the community.

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ArtsWave Awards Nearly 50 Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Projects

ArtsWave has announced the distribution of 49 Catalyzing Impact grants, totaling $326,690, to local organizations for arts and cultural projects in the Cincinnati region. The grants are a key component of ArtsWave’s annual Campaign, which aims to enhance the community’s economy and connectivity through the arts. Projects funded range from educational programs and festivals to exhibitions addressing diverse themes. The funding underscores ArtsWave’s commitment to supporting a vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem.

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Restored Film ‘Tell Me A Riddle’ Premieres in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Art Museum is set to screen a newly restored version of the 1980 film ‘Tell Me A Riddle’ on February 9, 2023. This Midwest premiere is a free, public event presented in partnership with the Mayerson JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival and Women in Film Cincinnati. The film, based on Tillie Olsen’s novella, stars Melvyn Douglas and Lila Kedrova as an elderly couple navigating marital conflict. Producer Rachel Lyon will discuss the restoration and the film’s impact after the screening.

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Cincinnati Art Museum Receives $36,000 Grant from National Endowment for the Arts

The Cincinnati Art Museum has received a $36,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for its upcoming exhibition, “Paintings, Politics and the Monuments Men: The Berlin Masterpieces in America.” The exhibition, scheduled from July 9 to October 3, 2021, will chronicle the post-World War II journey of significant European paintings from Germany to the United States. The NEA grant is part of a larger initiative supporting over 1,100 arts projects nationwide. The exhibition promises to explore the complex role of art during wartime and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

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Cincinnati Art Museum Launches Major Renovation to Enhance Community and Research Spaces

The Cincinnati Art Museum has commenced a year-long renovation project, set to conclude in fall 2024, aimed at enhancing its community and research facilities. The project will introduce two new classrooms, a dedicated research center for photography, prints, and drawings, and a new event space. These upgrades are designed to significantly boost the museum’s capacity for educational programs and scholarly pursuits. The Marek Family Commons will offer flexible classroom and event spaces, while the Carl M. Jacobs Center will provide enhanced access to important collections. The museum’s main entrance will remain open during the renovations, with specific programs being temporarily relocated.

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Cincinnati Art Museum Announces “Art in Bloom” Featuring Floral Artist Natasja Sadi

The Cincinnati Art Museum will host its “Art in Bloom” event from April 26-28, 2024, featuring floral designs from nearly 60 artists. International floral artist Natasja Sadi will be the featured guest, driving the event’s theme. The celebration includes various programs, from a drag brunch to floral presentations. General admission and parking are free, with select events requiring tickets.

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Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Announce Five-Year Partnership with Play On Shakespeare

Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival are joining forces with Play On Shakespeare for a landmark five-year partnership. The initiative focuses on making Shakespeare more accessible through contemporary translations and innovative productions. The collaboration will launch in 2026 with a new translation of “The Winter’s Tale.” The partnership also includes a strong emphasis on community engagement and educational programs designed to deepen the connection to Shakespeare across various age groups. A key aspect of this collaboration is a commitment to equitable representation in casting and artistic endeavors, aiming to create more inclusive opportunities within the theater community.

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