Upcoming Events WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

As you complete your membership enrollment and consider scholarship and/or sponsorship donations to PPOL, please keep in mind our Mission Statement:

“…to promote knowledge and appreciation of opera, musical theater and vocal arts, to encourage and support aspiring and professional opera and musical theater artists and to support Opera Theatre of the Rockies and other regional opera, classical and vocal arts organizations.”

As proof that we actually fulfill that mission, here are some updates on previous PPOL Career Advancement Award Winners:

ERIC BOTTO: Tenor Eric Botto from Boulder, Colorado, was our Spring Career Advancement Award Winner in 2022. Eric has received accolades from various competitions in recent years including 1st Place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (West Central Region), 2nd Place in Lyra New York’s International Vocal Competition, and was deemed a finalist in the nationally recognized Lotte Lenya Competition, hosted by the Kurt Weill Foundation. In May of 2023, Eric will receive his Artist Diploma from the University of Colorado. Eric also experienced two summers with the Chautauqua Opera. In 2023 he will be seen with First Coast Opera (St. Augustine, FL), Opera San Antonio and Opera on the James (Lynchburg, VA.)

ARMANDO CONTRERAS:

Baritone Armando Contreras currently resides in Pueblo, Colorado, and is an adjunct instructor at Colorado State University where he shares his love and knowledge of vocal music. A 2021 recipient of PPOL’s Career Advancement Award, he performed at our Fall Fest in October 2022 at Gold Hill Mesa. In 2022 he performed with Opera Steamboat, the Glimmerglass (New York) Festival, and Salt Marsh Opera (Stonington, CT.) He has also performed with the Central City Opera, Boulder Opera, Opera Fort Collins, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, as well as others. He is also comfortable as a featured soloist in oratorio productions.

KIRA DILLS-DeSURRA: Mezzo

Soprano Kira Dills-DeSurra, most recently seen in the production of Opera Theatre of the Rockies’ “MEZZOMANIA,” was the PPOL Spring Career Advancement Award recipient in 2021. She also entertained PPOL guests at that summer’s “Songs for a Summer Night.” As a champion of new and rarely performed works, Kira has appeared in many American premieres. 2022 was a busy year for her as she performed with Opera Colorado, Central City Opera and Opera Steamboat. She has also performed with Long Beach Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Kira is equally comfortable performing as a talented comedic stage actress.

MAIRE THERESE-CARMACK:

Mezzo Soprano Maire Therese-Carmack was a PPOL Young Voice Finalist as well as the recipient of PPOL’s Career Advancement Award and Career Enhancement Award. PPOL audiences saw her last in June of 2022 when she performed at our Summer Afternoon of Song at Peel House. After that she went on to win 3rd Prize at the International Operalia competition founded by Placido Domingo. 2022-2023 she debuted with Santa Fe Opera, Deutsche Opera Berlin, Carnegie Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. She is a former Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist, Glimmerglass Festival Young Artist, Palm Beach Opera Bailey Apprentice Artist and a prize winner with the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition among others.

Other Opportunities to see Live Opera in Colorado

2023 Festival - JUNE 24 - AUGUST 6, 2023

Romeo and Juliet

Kiss Me, Kate Othello

“Brush Up Your Shakespeare” and join Central City Opera for the 2023 Summer Festival! Three musical adaptations of timeless Shakespearean stories are brought to life on the historic opera house stage. This season features the classic opera Romeo & Juliet by Charles Gounod, the delightful Cole Porter musical Kiss Me, Kate, and the exquisite masterpiece Othello by Gioachino Rossini.

Contact the Box Office for more information at 303-292-6700 or boxoffice@centralcityopera.org.