Formally inaugurated in 1988, Opera San José’s
resident company is unique in the United States. Opera San José seeks out unusually
gifted, professional operatic artists in the first years of their singing careers and
offers them annual contracts as artists.
The advantages of a resident company are prolonged,
detailed staging rehearsal periods, the development of a well integrated vocal ensemble,
and thus highly integrated theatrical and musical performances.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
In addition to four mainstage productions, members of the
resident company perform for the community at large through educational programming for
youth and adults.
Educational Programming K-College
Student Matinees: One mid-day matinee performances
of each mainstage production is offered to schools that participate in
OSJ's in-school programs.
In-School Programs: What is
Opera?, a lecture demonstration, and a one act opera are performed in
schools throughout the school year.
Let’s Make an Opera!: Each
member of the resident company
will mentor a group of schoolchildren through the process of creating, producing and
performing an original music theater piece each season.
Educational Programming for Adults
Previews and Introduction to Opera:
Offered in conjunction with each mainstage production, there is one preview and four
Introduction to Opera talks.
- Tuesday Previews feature sung excerpts
from the production with piano accompaniment and a talk by Larry
Hancock.
- Introduction to Opera discussions take
place immediately prior to performances in the California Theatre;
they do not involve singing. To access these pre-performance talks,
use the Market Street entrance.
Opera in the Neighborhood Concerts: These concerts
are designed to introduce minority groups, including troubled youth, the disadvantaged
elderly, the disabled, and racial and ethnic minorities, to the operatic voice through
performance of operatic excerpts and other vocal music. Each member of
the resident company will perform in
approximately eight of fifteen Neighborhood Concerts each season.
Community Wide Performances: Appearances for a
wide range of service clubs and social functions are used to introduce operatic singing to
the community. Each member of the resident company will appear in approximately twenty-five of the fifty
community performances presented annually.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you are interested in being considered
for a position in Opera San José's resident company, send your resume, and professional head-shot to Matt Siek, Opera San José, 2149 Paragon Drive, San José, CA 95131-1312. You may
e-mail your resume to
siek@operasj.org. If
there is the potential of a position in the company for you, you will be contacted
regarding a preliminary audition.
