Georgia State University Opera Theater, under the direction of Dr. JJ Hudson, provides students with the information, skills, and performance opportunities inline with today’s competitive and exciting world of opera. Students in Opera Theater receive the training to become both independent artists and thoughtful collaborators. Students learn and practice their performance skills in a positive and supportive classroom and rehearsal environment. Each year, GSU Opera Theater produces two fully staged opera productions as well as other performance opportunities. Georgia State University is also home to the nationally acclaimed Harrower Summer Opera Workshop.
Announcing GSU Opera Theater 2022-2023 Season!
SAT-SUN, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2022
SAT-SUN, APRIL 15-16, 2023


DIDO and AENEAS & LA SERVA PADRONA
In collaboration with GSU String Program, Tania Maxwell Clements, Principal Senior Lecturer and Strings Coordinator
SAT, 8:00 PM, SUN, 3:00 PM || KOPLEFF RECITAL HALL
Free Admission
Dido and Aeneas (Henry Purcell), 1689 & La serva padrona (G.B. Pergolesi), 1733
In GSOT’s innovative production, the two parts of Pergolesi’s comic, buffa-inspired intermezzo will play between the three short acts of Purcell’s gorgeous musical tragedy. GSU Opera Theater is thrilled to be collaborating with the GSU String Program on this exciting project!
OUR TOWN
In collaboration with the University Symphony Orchestra, Rolando Salazar, Guest Conductor
SAT, 8:00 PM, SUN, 3:00 PM || RIALTO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Tickets: $15 General Admission; $5 Student Tickets
Our Town – An Opera in Three Acts, 2006
Music by Ned Rorem, Libretto by J.D. McClatchy
Like Thornton Wilder’s beloved 1938 American play, Rorem and McClatchy’s operatic adaption is both intimate and expansive. The opera presents the citizens of Grover’s Corners, NH as they move their lives with regularity and grace. Yet, within such a routine exists the extraordinary … if one can only recognize it. GSU Opera is pleased to welcome to this production nationally renowned Projection Artist, Brittany Marenda.
BUY TICKETS

OPERA WORKSHOP
Opera Workshop (MUS 3100/MUS 8620) is open to all GSU Voice Performance majors. In this semesterly opera-scenes course, students gain performance skills and awareness of literature through the study of scenes from opera repertoire. Repertoire for the course is drawn from a variety of operatic eras, languages, and styles on a rotating basis. Each semester, the Opera Workshop course culminates in a fully staged Opera Scene Performance. These staged scenes are also taken outside the university for presentation in community settings, as well presentation at conferences and competitions. Additionally, each semester, Opera Workshop invites guest artists and presenters for workshops on such topics as stage combat, period movement and gesture, intimacy on the stage, and make-up design.
Opera Production
Each year, GSU Opera Theater produces two fully staged opera productions. The fall-semester production typically features a chamber opera or set of operas. The spring-semester production is a larger-scale opera produced in conjunction with the GSU Symphony Orchestra at the downtown Atlanta Rialto Center for the Arts. Operas are cast by audition. Students audition for the fall-semester production during the first week of fall-semester classes. Auditions for the spring opera are held at the end of the fall term. Each season, GSU Opera Theater produces works from a wide range of lyric-theater repertoire. Students perform in works of various languages, styles, and genres of opera’s four-hundred-year history. Additionally, Opera Theater is committed to producing works by living composers/librettists, as well as works by underrepresented creators of opera.
RECENT PRODUCTIONS:
Contact

JJ Hudson

Rolando Salazar
