Intimate Opera announces events in Pasadena July 12-30

When renowned singer Suzanna Guzman learned that her former fellow Resident Artist at LA Opera – mezzo-soprano Stephanie Vlahos, now Artistic Director of Intimate Opera Pasadena (IOP) – was planning a three-week long event from July 12 to July 30 that would mix opera, classical music, jazz, cabaret, and even ‘a veddy British’ high tea, she wasn’t surprised. After all, Guzman had been a parent at the LA County High School for the Arts when Vlahos mounted Georg Bizet’s opera, Carmen, there and turned it into a vehicle – Carmen High – that not only captivated its young cast of ‘Arts High’ students but opera patrons throughout Southern California with its unique staging, updated storyline and mixture of opera, hip hop, rap and dance.



“Once again, Stephanie is thinking out of the box, as only she can,” says Guzman, who appeared as The Mother in IOP’s critically acclaimed production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and The Night Visitors at the Pasadena Playhouse, under Vlahos’ direction, last December. “Her creativity truly knows no bounds. OperaFusion is unheard of and unthinkable, and, therefore, it will be fabulous! I can’t wait!”



However, the mezzo-soprano, hailed by TIME magazine as “a fire eating singing actress” for her portrayal of the title role in Bizet’s Carmen with Houston Opera, is doing more than waiting. She is participating. On July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Guzman will present a Recital of American Composers at OperaFusion’s ‘home venue’ – the First Baptist Church of Pasadena.



“We are featuring the works of some awesome famous American Composers –Jake Hegge, Ricky Ian Gordon, and John Buccino – to celebrate July, the most American of months in Southern California, which is a quintessentially American place,” explains Guzman.



But, while seasoned opera professionals are playing a leading role in OperaFusion – offering recitals and master classes – the event has also been conceived as an opportunity to introduce Southern California audiences to the community’s talented emerging artists, Vlahos stresses.



“If we are to nurture the arts in Southern California, we have to support our young artists by providing them with competitive opportunities comparable to those in the rest of the country and in Europe,” says Vlahos. “IOP hopes to share the joy of opera with music lovers throughout the Southland while supporting our young artists on the precipitous verge of a rewarding career. How do we do that? By providing valuable training and performance experiences such as OperaFusion.”



Young Artists participating in IOP’s Summer Workshop will be showcased in two productions – Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury. Performances will take place in the Chapel at First Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. on July 29 and July 30. Matinee performances for children of Trial by Jury will be presented on both days as well.



Emerging artists taking part in Suor Angelica and Trial by Jury are: Mindi Erlich (UC Berkeley/Cal State University – Long Beach), Kristen Speck (Azusa Pacific University), Zoe Scaljion (CSULB), Bryn Cartwright (Long Beach Community College), Emma Ho'o (Pasadena Community College), Vanessa Lam (APU), Andria Coyne (CSULB), Leily Sanchez (UC-Santa Barbara), Ella Reed (Chapman), Sean Hughes (Redlands), Wesley Moran (LA County High School for the Arts), Kevin Gino (Chapman), Nathaniel Rausch (PCC) , Jessica Berns (Stanford), Jessica Asperger (Stanford), Stephanie Jones (LaSierra University), Joshua Avalos (home school), and Hyla Rockwell (Westview School)



Opera fans with a sweet tooth and a desire for a sneak peek at these talented cast members may also want to attend Opera with Scones, an English high tea served with a ‘dollop ‘of arias and show songs in addition to the traditional scones, crumpets and clotted cream. The event will take place in the Parlor Room at First Baptist Church on July 23 at 4 p.m. Reservations are required.



Vlahos’ ultimate vision for OperaFusion is for it not only to become an annual event but for it to expand into a festival centered around – but not focused solely on – opera. This year, in a nod to these aspirations, OperaFusion will present a special concert by the ensemble Vio-Fonik. The musicians – violinist and composer Harry Scorzo, violinist Jennifer Walton, and cellist Alan Mautner – will be joined for their performance on July 20 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church by harpsichordist Jennifer Bowen.



Further events planned for OperaFusion include a lieder recital by IOP’s Young Artists and an evening of opera and American Songbook classics in a cabaret setting.



“OperaFusion is a musical cocktail raised in toast to the vibrant, incredibly talented array of talented artists in our community,” says Vlahos. “Some are in the midst of major careers. Others are just embarking on one. But, at Intimate Opera Pasadena, we love to mix them together, shake things up a bit, and stir your soul.”



For more information about the recitals, master classes, performances and other events taking place during OperaFusion, call 909 240 2230. Tickets for most events are available at the door.



“And parking is free!” adds Vlahos. “Does it get any better than that?”



Additionally, Intimate Opera Pasadena would like to thank the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts for its generous support of OperaFusion.