El Paso Opera continues with its mission to make opera for all by staging productions throughout El Paso this October. At a variety of restaurants and special events, El Pasoans will be able to experience the talents of mezzo soprano Jenny Lynn Heidtman and tenor Wesley Morgan through intimate, often hilarious and sometimes completely spontaneous shows.
“Opera Antics” features Heidtman and Morgan—who are both classically-trained pianists—performing 20-minute sets of beloved opera pieces and original music, accompanying one another cabaret style. These El Paso Opera Artists-in-Residence have also adapted their show as an educational program being presented in schools to teach children about this great art through age-appropriate concerts (one program is tailored to K-5 while the other encompasses middle and high school).
These artists will also be performing at special opera events including the launch party for BRAVO! Alliance, which gives young professionals ages 21 to 45 the opportunity to see and hear opera in El Paso as well as other cities to which they travel. The party—which is free and open to the public—takes place on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 2900 Kitchen/Lounge from 5–7:00 pm.
“Opera Attacks!” surprises crowds in public places with an unannounced skit culminating in a gorgeous operatic solo or duet. Its spontaneous nature has made it a favorite among El Pasoans lucky enough to experience the presentation this summer (when new El Paso Opera General Director David Grabarkewitz introduced the concept at Rulis International Kitchen) or most recently during the grand opening weekend for new restaurant Pot Au Feu. “Opera Attacks!” are a memorable and fun way for anyone to experience opera first-hand and make them aware of El Paso’s own opera company. A video of the latest “Opera Attacks!” can be viewed on the opera’s website, www.epopera.org.
Heidtman has been on the stage since she was 4 years old, singing and playing piano, with an extensive repertoire of classical and contemporary art song, oratorio, opera, and jazz. As Aunt Cecilia in Mark Adamo's Little Women, the Atlanta Journal described her as "a scene stealer…with great dramatic skills". Morgan studied with renowned mezzo-soprano Beverly Wolff. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described Wesley’s performance in The Pirates of Penzance as "flawless…[he] quite literally had the young and not so young members of the opening night audience swooning."
This series of performances follows the El Paso Opera’s highly successful “Opera For All!” concert on September 9th at the Abraham Chavez Theatre, when thousands of El Pasoans were treated to a sampling of opera’s most beloved arias, duets and ensembles from acclaimed professionals along with the UTEP Music Theatre Company.
