UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Opera Theatre, in collaboration with the State Theatre in downtown State College, has announced a new partnership designed to bring live performance and engaging discussion to the local opera community. Penn State Opera Theatre is part of the School of Music in the College of Arts and Architecture.
Beginning this fall, Penn State opera students will present short performances and interactive talks at 12:30 p.m. each Saturday, one hour before each "Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD" broadcast at the State Theatre. These sessions aim to deepen audience understanding and appreciation of the featured operas while highlighting the talents of Penn State’s emerging vocal artists.
The performances are supported by the Penn State chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (SNATS) and the Robert M. Sides Family Music Center.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to perform and connect with our local community of opera lovers,” said Dawn Pierce, associate professor of voice and director of Penn State Opera Theatre. “We’re thrilled to complement the Met’s broadcasts with our own live artistry and educational insight.”
The State Theatre is one of only six venues in Pennsylvania — and among 1,700 theaters in 54 countries — to host "The Met: Live in HD" series. The theater’s newly installed, high-definition projector offers audiences a world-class viewing experience of these celebrated live performances from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
About the series
Launched in 2006, "The Met: Live in HD" brings live transmissions of opera performances from the Metropolitan Opera stage to movie theaters around the world. In addition to the mainstage performances, audiences enjoy behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with artists and crew, and commentary that deepens understanding of each work. Tickets for the series are available at www.thestatetheatre.org.
More from Penn State Opera
In addition to the weekly preview performances at the State Theatre, Penn State Opera Theatre will present two full-scale productions in the School of Music’s Recital Hall on the University Park campus later this season.