ENews:  July 2005

In this issue:

2005 - 2006 Season Casting Announced
Single Tickets On Sale Now!
Tenor Christopher Bengochea Joins OSJ
Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey
in Recital at the California Theatre in 2006
Former OSJ Artists Appear with Santa Fe and Seattle Opera
Corporate Corner: Wells Fargo

2005 - 2006 Season Casting Announced
Casting for all 2005 - 2006 season productions is now listed on our website:  The Crucible, A Masked Ball, La bohème, and Don Giovanni. To order tickets to any of these four dramatic masterworks, visit our website or call the box office at (408) 437-4450.

Single Tickets On Sale Now!
Single tickets to all performances went on sale July 1, 2005. Order on-line via tickets.com or call our box office at (408) 437-4450.

Tenor Christopher Bengochea Joins OSJ
Opera San José is delighted to have tenor Christopher Bengochea join our resident ensemble of principal artists for the 2005 - 2006 season. Mr. Bengochea, whose residency is made possible in part by a fellowship grant established in memory of W. Gibson Walters, will perform the roles of the Reverend Samuel Parris (The Crucible), Gustavus III (A Masked Ball), Rodolfo (La bohème), and Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni). Richard Covello of the Chicago Tribune called Mr. Bengochea's performance in the title role of Verdi's Ernani "flawless". "He has command of Italianate style along with ringing top notes and a smooth legato - a fine, even dramatic, tenor in the making." Visit Mr. Bengochea's website for additional information.

Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey
in Recital at the California Theatre in 2006
Under the auspices of Montalvo, Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey will appear in recital at the California Theatre in 2006. Opera San José is hosting the post-performance receptions for these stellar artists. Mark your calendar!

Ms. von Stade and Mr. Ramey will appear in a joint recital on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the recital and reception cost $120, and these seat locations are front Grand Tier and center Orchestra.

Other seat locations are available without the reception, with prices ranging from $75 - $100. Tickets are available by calling the Opera San Jose Box Office at (408) 437-4450.

Former OSJ Artists Appear with Santa Fe and Seattle Opera
Former resident artist Brian Leerhuber's career is taking off! Mr. Leerhuber, who was one of the most engaging singers to have been in OSJ's resident ensemble, sings the role of Figaro in Rossini's The Barber of Seville in Santa Fe Opera's July and August 2005 productions. Fresh Pond Music Tours is taking a group to Santa Fe from August 5 - 9. If you haven't been to Santa Fe Opera before, this is a great opportunity to hear Mr. Leerhuber as well as take in one of the most unique experiences in opera. Drawing crowds from all over the globe, Santa Fe Opera has created a summer opera festival that is unmatched in the United States. Other operas included on this tour are Peter Grimes and Turandot. To inquire about flight departures, hotel, tour prices, or to book your reservation, contact Fresh Pond Music Tours at 1-800-258-1481.

Soprano Julie Makerov, also a former member of the resident company, is alternating in the role of Rosalinde with soprano Jane Eaglen in Seattle Opera's production of Die Fledermaus in January of 2006.  For ticket information, visit the Seattle Opera website.

Corporate Corner: Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo was happy to sponsor The Flying Dutchman, the final production of Opera San José's inaugural season at the California Theatre.  Wells Fargo has a long history, more than a century and a half, of supporting the community.  In 2004, Wells Fargo contributed a record $93 million to more than 15,000 nonprofits nationwide. Their team members gave hundreds of thousands of hours as volunteers in addition to working to improve the well-being and economic self-sufficiency of our communities. More....

Delta is the official airline of Opera San Jose.