(Above: William Burden in Opera Company of Philadelphia's The Pearl Fishers, 2004. Credit: © Kelly & Massa Photography)
Seattle Opera announced today an awesome new addition to their programing. With open arms for new audiences, the 2008/09 season will offer three Friday night operas, which will be part of "LGBT Nights", where LGBTers can meet & greet other Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender opera lovers. LGBT always makes me think of a yummy club sandwich, so there's no way this can fail. The image above, btw, was not curated by OC...rather the Seattle Opera as their header for the LGBT Nights announcement. Magnificent bastards!
The tickets are offered at an easy $100 package that includes an orchestra seat, two private intermission cocktails (first break for drinks, the second for coffee&cake), and free admission to the pre-show lecture. The Friday nighs that are designated are an August 22 '08 Aida, a January 23 '09 Les pêcheurs de perles, and a May 15 '09 Le Nozze di Figaro. Spokesman Alvin Alexander Henry for the Seattle Opera said:
“We are delighted to welcome friends and family from the LGBT community to three unforgettable evenings of entertainment and merriment for an affordable price. Our guests will be able to socialize, make new friends, and network with other opera goers while attending performances at one of the premier opera companies. Opera is for everyone.”