Happenings at Skylark October 2023
Get your tickets today for The Gift of the Magi
Tickets are on sale NOW for Skylark Opera Theatre’s third holiday production! We open on Friday, December 15th with a 7:00pm performance of David Conte’s exquisite opera, The Gift of the Magi, based on O. Henry's beloved short story. Performances are at the intimate, 150-seat Lowry Lab Theater at the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, 350 St. Peter St., St Paul, MN 55102 (map here), continuing on Saturday, December 16th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm and Sunday, December 17th at 2:00pm and 6:00pm.
Fall in love with newlyweds Jim and Della as they search for the best gift of all. Bring the whole family to this touching holiday production with "...music of grand romantic feeling...a lush spectacle of extravagant lyricism...soaring duets and arias of Puccinian exuberance..." (Ching Chang, San Francisco Classical Voice). Purchase your tickets now at skylark.booktix.com.
Another rollicking Skylark OktOpera Fest
Artistic Director James Barnett accompanies soprano Leann Schuering, both in full Bavarian regalia, at OktOpera Fest. (Photo by Kirsten Zahler)
"It's too funny, ha, ha, ha!" Adele's Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus at OktOpera Fest. (Photo by Kirsten Zahler)
Thanks to everyone who attended Skylark Opera Theatre’s 2nd annual OktOpera Fest, our annual Fall fun-raising and fund-raising event. The Strauss waltzes and arias performed by soprano Leann Schuering, with piano accompaniment by Skylark’s Artistic Director, James Barnett and the added piano virtuosity of Lara Bolton, were dazzling. Special thanks to Fat Pants Brewing Co. for donating their HopSpot event venue, and to Chicago Lake Liquors and Zahler Productions/Iron Alliance Gym for their contributions to the event’s success. We’ll see you all again next year!
Plan to support Skylark on Give to the Max Day in November
Give to the Max Day 2023 is November 16th, and Skylark is getting our GiveMN site ready for the big day. Join other supporters who know that Skylark is “Not your grandma’s opera™.” Look for special messages on our GiveMN site and a fun incentive for early donors, too!
The arts need your voice
Arts funding in the Twin Cities, the State of Minnesota and nationwide is more important than ever. When you advocate for the arts, you also advocate for local businesses who are supported by theater-goers enjoying an evening out. Did you know that nationally a reported 2-3 theater companies close their doors every month? Please add your voices to theater leaders like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phylicia Rashad, who testified before Congress on September 28th, 2023 in support of a $500 million annual federal aid package for the next five years—a total of $2.5 billion—for America’s nonprofit arts. Let all of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation know how important arts organizations like Skylark Opera Theatre are to you and your community.
Minnesota’s citizens and the Minnesota legislature have shown their support of the arts through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. Be sure to thank them for keeping arts organizations alive in Minnesota. Maintaining that funding is critical to Skylark Opera and all arts and theater organizations. Learn more about what you can do for the arts by visiting the MN Citizens for the Arts website artsmn.org.