Opera in Orange County California

Will Opera Come Back To Orange County?

It’s unfortunate but we have to think that it will not…at least not in the form of a legitimate Opera Company. But, before we delve into this issue, let’s go back…before the economic meltdown of 2007-2008.

In the US, economy drives the arts. Meaning, that if Corporations and people, in general, are “in the money”, so are the arts. Since the late 2007 US Economic “Meltdown”, the arts have suffered dramatically because no one’s in the money like they used to me. But it really didn’t start there.

THE HEYDAY OF OPERA
Opera, since it’s heyday (ending around the late 1950’s) has been experiencing a steady decline in popularity and attendance. It’s not a surprise, once the popular music of its day, Opera has had the misconception that it’s “out of touch”, “elitist”, “expensive” and “stuffy”…yes and no. On the surface, yes. Ticket prices are expensive. Mounting operas are a massive undertaking. It takes a small army to produce a decent opera that includes sets, orchestra, large choruses, and soloists. The Met in New York City can have as many as 100 Orchestra Performers, 120 Chorus Members, 15-20 Soloists and another 15-20 Supernumeraries (Supers or Extras, as named in the Film Industry), and 30-50 Tech Crew Members. That doesn’t include all the ushers, security and ticket people in the theater, parking attendants, and administrative/support staff. Get the picture? But the part of the picture most people don’t get is, that Opera is not elitist. Opera is quite the contrary.

Maria Callas on Time Magazine

The heyday of opera put Diva Maria Callas on the Cover of major publications like Time.

OPERA FOR REAL PEOPLE
Opera, like most theater art-forms is a form of expression. Opera, rooted in theater (plays, like Shakespeare and before him, Greek Tragedies) was the medium the common folk flocked to and enjoyed, along side royalty…which was usually their oppressors. Subtle mockery of the class structure was common. Rebellion, aggression and sometimes overt messages to revolt were imbedded in many operas by Mozart, Verdi, Mussorgsky and others. Sometimes riots/fights broke out during operas once messages were realized or even if a singer did not perform to par!

Guiseppe Verdi, Composer

One of the greatest Italian National Composers of all time. Guiseppe Verdi

OPERA IN ORANGE COUNTY
But that was then and this is now. We found this article about the healthy state of Opera in America by The American in July 2007, just as the economic meltdown was starting. It stated that there were 125 American Opera Companies in the US…more than Germany and Italy and roughly more Americans “attend live opera performances as attend NFL Games.” Roughly 20 million Opera admissions per year. Here, in Orange County we had Opera Pacific, a great alternative to the OC Commute to LA Opera. There were even talks of the company going year-round. Poof! Gone! All in a matter of two years, the corporate and private subsidies dried up and the doors were closed for good.

Rich Orange County has no Opera Company.

With the withering of Opera Pacific, there is no viable opera company in Orange County

TICKET SALES DON’T KEEP A THEATER OPEN
Private money does. Corporations, private foundations, and a few still-existing national endowments keep the doors open. Season subscribers keep butts in seats and the General Mangers, their jobs. Beloved operas like Carmen, Madama Butterfly and La Bohème are all-time audience favorites attracting novices and seasoned theater go-ers to alike. Season subscribers love the standards. Another conundrum if you are the General Manager of an Opera Company. You have to please your base but offering new operas and educating the public on them is absolutely necessary if the Operatic Art Form is to survive.

Ticket Sales for Operas

Opera Tickets don’t solely keep the doors open.

TIMELESS ART
Art is timeless. So is great Opera. But the medium on how we receive our art is changing. The Metropolitan Opera in New York has, in the last two years, desperately tried to reach out to the general public by making their opera performances more accessible by offering them in regional movie theaters. Now, one can purchase a ticket at a fraction of the price of a live performance (and save you the air fare to NY City), get some popcorn and sit and watch a LIVE Metropolitan Opera Production in HD streaming directly in the movie theater. Cool! Very cool. As a bonus, the viewer is privy to backstage footage and live interviews of the stars singing as they enter and exit the stage. That’s amazing access. But is it reaching new audiences? The jury seems to still be out.

Beamed Opera Broadcasts into Movie Theaters

Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts live into select movie theaters across the United States

Orange County California is one of the most affluent Counties in California. With over 3 Million residents, it is the 3rd largest population-wise but the smallest land-wise in Southern California. The main artistic center is the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Segerstrom Center for the Arts provides all kinds of entertainment year-round and is the former home of the now defunct Opera Pacific.

TAW

The Amazing Singing Waiters

The Amazing Waiters 855-899-7701

The Amazing Waiters/The Amazing Tenors-Three Opera Tenor Shows are available for private and corporate events in Los Angeles and Orange County, California.  Featuring operatic performers with the Los Angeles Opera and The Metropolitan Opera, they provide timeless entertainment for discerning audiences.

855-899-7701 (Toll Free)

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT BOOKING

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT BOOKING

 Christmas in July?  Well, not quite…but Holiday Entertainment is on the minds of many event planners and companies looking to book top-shelf entertainment before it’s too late.

Planning a Holiday Event for your Boss, Company, Country Club, or even a Holiday Wedding takes a fair amount of coordination.  Entertainment is a must.  It breaks the ice, keeps the party from awkward silence and can put your guests in the frame of mind you are trying to achieve.  Holiday entertainment is the second thing that should get booked (after venue selection) securing the entertainment you want at the best price.

Summer Booking for Winter Entertainment is a great idea.

Booking Holiday Entertainment Early is a good idea.

 LAST MINUTE ENTERTAINMENT BOOKINGS

As with flying an airline, there were times one could wait to book at the last minute, possibly saving 15-25%.  Those days are very few and far between.  Booking at the last minute could cost you and your company much more than you planned, sometimes putting entertainment out of your budget all together and forced to ask your co-workers friend’s friend to come in and play a random iTunes play list for your guests.

 BOOK EARLY AND SAVE ON ENTERTAINMENT

Many companies, The Amazing Waiters included, are now offering very attractive pricing for early Holiday Bookings, savings of 10-20% on pricing plus a huge savings on production costs if booked in bundles.

 LOOK FOR FIT FIRST, THEN PRICE IT

We are all price conscious these days and many more consumers shop before they buy which is a good thing, alleviating sticker shock and buyer’s remorse.  Shopping for a great price should be the second thing you do.  We recommend to shop for what options seem to be a good fit for your event.  Get 2 or 3 options.  Then narrow down your short list by getting all the information you need which should always include at least 2-3 live videos of actual shows, a confirmation of how long the show is, the actual price for what you want and a contract stating all the above.  It’s not rocket science but keeping things professional and clear will alleviate any discrepancies or confusion in the future.

 LIVE HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

There are many entertainment options for your Holiday Event and perhaps one or more will be suitable for your guests, bringing just the right amount of “wow factor”.  Live Bands are fun for creating a party atmosphere all through the night.  They can then ramp up the music after dinner, creating a great dance opportunity (and photos too) for your guests and their dates.  Singing Waiter Entertainment brings a classy element, usually to the dinner portion of the evening, creating the surprise element and band cannot and taking a live performance from the stage to your guests.  Strolling Magicians are especially fun if you have a wide age-range, appealing to young and old.

 MEMORABLE HOLIDAYS

From small parties to large corporate events, great holiday entertainment can make the night memorable and your guests smiling from ear to ear.

 FUN HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT

The Amazing Waiters provide customized vocal entertainment shows for the Holidays.

See our website, www.AmazingWaiters.com or call 855-899-7701 for more information.

 

About The Amazing Waiters

The Amazing Waiters are a premiere Singing Waiter Entertainment Group that features major Broadway and Operatic stars trained in Improv Comedy.  They have entertained guests at Weddings, Corporate Events and Private Parties across the United States and Europe with specialized shows ranging from Jersey Boys to Three Tenors.   Their offices are based in Los Angeles and New York with performers in Los Angeles,  Denver, New York, New Jersey, Palm Springs, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside and Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

**The Amazing Waiters are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Entree Entertainment, Incorporated.  All rights reserved.  2013