OPERA Iowa Educational Touring Troupe

2008 SPRING TOUR: January 28 - April 11, 2008

OPERA Iowa is launching its 22nd season with a preview performance of Donizetti’s comedy Don Pasquale at 2:00 pm on January 26, 2008, at the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines. Don Pasquale will be presented by the six members of the touring troupe, accompanied on piano by the group’s music director, Benjamin Blozan. In order to share this hilarious musical farce with families, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and Des Moines Metro Opera have joined forces to offer free tickets to the performance. Please note that due to limited seating reservations will be required. Please call (515) 961-6221 to make reservations.

THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF

by John Davies
Click here for a synopsis

DON PASQUALE

by Gaetano Donizetti
Click here for a synopsis

OPERA Iowa was the recipient of the 2002 Iowa Arts Council's Arts Build Communities "Arts in Education" Award

For 21 years OPERA Iowa has created magic - in rural schools, city classrooms, "cafetoriums", community centers, concert halls and gymnasiums - offering nearly 600,000 young people and adults a quality arts experience today while building new enthusiastic audiences for opera tomorrow. One of the most innovative programs of its kind in the country, this successful 13-week regional arts education tour features comprehensive study guides and curriculum-based education workshops as well as performances designed especially for young people. The seven-member OPERA Iowa Troupe are young professionals whose sole goal is to captivate their audiences.

The 2008 Tour includes performances in the following schools and communities:

Jefferson Elementary; Pella, Iowa; January 28
Oskaloosa Elementary; Oskaloosa, Iowa; January 28
Lawson Elementary; Johnston, Iowa; January 29
Greenwood Elementary; Des Moines, Iowa; January 30
Callanan Middle School; Des Moines, Iowa; January 30
Stowe Elementary; Des Moines, Iowa; January 31
Edmunds Academy; Des Moines, Iowa; January 31
St. Augustine's Catholic School; Des Moines, Iowa; February 1
Waldorf Community Art Series; Forest City, Iowa; February 4
St. Edmond Elementary; Fort Dodge, Iowa; February 5
Waukee High School; Waukee, Iowa; February 6
Eason Elementary; Des Moines, Iowa; February 6
Waukee Elementary; Waukee, Iowa; February 7
Jackson Elementary; Des Moines, Iowa; February 8
Minnesota State University; Mankato, Minnesota; February 10-11
Battle Creek Ida Grove Elementary; Ida Grove, Iowa; February 12
Oviatt Elementary; Norwalk, Iowa; February 13
Cowles Elementary; February 13
Brookview Elementary; February 14
Maple Grove Elementary; February 14
Walnut Hills Elementary; February 15
Jefferson Elementary; Jefferson, Iowa; February 15
Underwood Elementary; Underwood, Iowa; February 18
Sioux City Community Schools; Sioux City, Iowa; February 19-21
Town & Country Arts; Woodbine, Iowa; February 22
West Elementary; Glenwood, Iowa; February 22
Mineral Area Arts Council; Park Hills, Missouri; February 26-27
Grimes Elementary; Burlington, Iowa; February 28
Central Decatur Community Schools; Leon, Iowa; February 29
Marshalltown Area Catholic Schools; Marshalltown, Iowa; March 3
Allamakee Community Schools; Waukon, Iowa; March 4
Preston Community Schools; Preston, Iowa; March 5
WAYCO Arts Council; Corydon, Iowa; March 6
Morman Trail Elementary; Humeston, Iowa; March 7
Estherville-Lincoln Central Schools; Estherville, Iowa; March 17
Alta Elementary; Alta, Iowa; March 18
McKinley Elementary; Davenport, Iowa; March 19
Hayes Elementary; Davenport, Iowa; March 19
Garfield Elementary; Davenport, Iowa; March 20
Adams Elementary; Davenport, Iowa; March 20
Monroe Elementary; Davenport, Iowa; March 21
Weber Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; March 24
Shimek Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; March 25
Kirkwood Elementary; Coralville, Iowa; March 25
Wickham Elementary; Coralville, Iowa; March 26
Horn Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; March 26
Coralville Central Elementary; Coralville, Iowa; March 27
Van Allen Elementary; North Liberty, Iowa; March 28
Wood Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; March 28
Lemme Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; March 31
Mann Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; March 31
Lucas Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; April 1
Longfellow Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; April 2
Twain Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; April 2
Penn Elementary; North Liberty, Iowa; April 3
Roosevelt Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; April 4
Hills Elementary; Hills, Iowa; April 4
Hoover Elementary; Iowa City, Iowa; April 7
Orchard Hill School; Cedar Falls, Iowa; April 8
Washington Elementary; Mount Vernon, Iowa; April 9
Four Oaks Children & Family Services; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; April 9
St. Theresa's School; Des Moines, Iowa; April 10
Olmstead Elementary; Des Moines, Iowa; April 11
Oak Park Elementary; Des Moines, Iowa; April 11

For booking and performance information contact Michael Egel, Artistic Administrator at (515) 961-6221.