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Nickel City Opera

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The Nickel City Opera ('NCO) was an American opera company based in Buffalo, New York.[1] The Nickel City Opera collaborated with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.[2][3][4]

History

[edit]

The opera company[5] was founded in 2004, and produced Rossini's The Barber of Seville, its first opera, in June 2009 at the Riviera Theatre. The following year, 2010, saw a production of Rigoletto.[6]

Further productions include Il trovatore,[7] La Bohème,[8] Don Pasquale,[9] La fille du régiment, Rigoletto,[10] Tosca,[11] Carmen,[12] I Pagliacci,[13] Il tabarro,[14] Der Schauspieldirektor,[15][16] Le Nozze di Figaro,[17][18] La Traviata,[19] The Barber of Seville,[20] Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti[21] and The Music Shop by Richard Wargo.[22]

In 2010 and for the subsequent four years, the NCO presented Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Riviera Theatre and in the Westminster Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, New York).[23]

In 2011, it presented a production of Il tabarro by Giacomo Puccini, directed by Henry Akina on board the United States Navy warship USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a decommissioned Fletcher-class destroyer and one of Buffalo's landmarks, which serves as a museum ship and is anchored at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York.[24] The USS The Sullivans (DD-537) served as an integral part of the staging.[25]

In 2017, Matthias Manasi conducted a production of Der Schauspieldirektor by Mozart, with particular attention to historically informed performance practice which was appreciated by critics.[26]

Several well known opera singers performed with the Nickel City Opera, including Adam Klein,[27]Victoria Livengood,[28] Valerian Ruminski,[29] Eric Fenell,[30] Eduardo Villa,[31] Michele Capalbo,[32] Marc Freiman,[33] Ray Chenez,[34] Zulimar López-Hernández,[35][36] Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs,[37] James Wright,[38] and Marieterese Magisano.[39][40]

The opera company ended its operations in 2024.

Opera America Service Award

[edit]

In May 2017 Opera America awarded Valerian Ruminski, artistic director of Nickel City Opera, its annual Service Award which recognizes those who "promote opera in their communities and work tirelessly to ensure the highest possible artistic quality and community service."[41] The ceremony took place in Dallas with a speech by Marc A. Scorca, president and CEO of Opera America.[42]

Premieres

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World

[edit]

In June 2016, the NCO produced the world premiere of SHOT! composed by Persis Vehar with libretto by Gabrielle Vehar, about the assassination of President McKinley, produced at Shea's Performing Arts Center,[43][44] [45][46]

In June 2021, Nickel City Opera collaborated with Sotto Voce Vocal Collective to present the world premiere of the opera The Second Sight by composer Jessie Downs, fully staged in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.[47][48]

Music directors

[edit]

Michael Ching was music director of Nickel City Opera from 2012 to 2017.[49] He was succeeded by Matthias Manasi as music director from 2017 to 2021.[50][51][52]

References

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  1. ^ Mike Randall (June 8, 2016). "New opera will appeal to local history buffs". wkbw.com. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  2. ^ Frank Discover Upstate NY (January 22, 2022). "Nickel City Opera presents Verdi's 'Rigoletto'". discoverupstateny.com. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  3. ^ The Public Stuff (November 8, 2017). "Spotlight: Valerian Ruminski of Nickel City Opera". dailypublic.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  4. ^ Bracely Dawn (February 16, 2016). "Classical: Continued success for BPO, Nickel City Opera". buffalonews.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  5. ^ Opera America (March 17, 2004). "Nickel City Opera". Opera America. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  6. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 24, 2013). "NCO on a - What else? - 5-year winning streak". The Buffalo News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Jan Jezioro (June 15, 2011). "Il Trovatore at The Riviera Theatre - NC Opera Buffalo launches its third season with big plans". Artvoice. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  8. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (July 2, 2012). "With all the right touches, N C Opera does justice to La Bohème". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  9. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2013). "Nickel City Opera's 'Don Pasquale' is a rare treat". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  10. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2010). "Magnificent Rigoletto proves NC Opera is for real". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  11. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2014). "NC Opera Buffalo gives depth to dark masterpiece". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Edmonton Opera (March 2, 2017). "Edmonton Opera program - Biography Robert Clark". issuu.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  13. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 6, 2011). "Opera on the upswing; while other opera companies are floundering, Nickel City Opera flourishes by thinking outside the box". The Buffalo News . Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (July 3, 2011). "Setting enhances sultry drama of 'Il tabarro'; Brilliant NC Opera Buffalo cast stages Puccini's steamy opera". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  15. ^ Buffalorising (May 26, 2017). "W. A. Mozart - The Impresario". Buffalorising. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  16. ^ WNY News (June 1, 2017). "Matthias Manasi-The Impresario by W.A. Mozart". The Am-Pol Eagle. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  17. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2015). "NC Opera Buffalo's The Marriage of Figaro is a magical mix". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  18. ^ Eileen Buckley (June 25, 2015). "NCO: The Marriage of Figaro". WBFO. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  19. ^ Michael Rabice (February 5, 2019). "La Traviata at NCO Buffalo". Broadway World. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  20. ^ Frank Housh (July 23, 2023). "The Nickel City Opera Triumphs With A Slapstick Romp Through Rossini's Classic Opera Buffa". Breakingdownthelaw. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  21. ^ Ed Adamczyk (November 28, 2013). "NC Opera Buffalo presents Amahl and the Night Visitors". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  22. ^ The Public Stuff (November 8, 2017). "N C Opera Buffalo-The Music Shop". Daily Public. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  23. ^ The Buffalo News / Staff (January 6, 2016). "NC Opera Buffalo - Star of wonder with 'Amahl and the Night Visitors'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  24. ^ Mark Sommer (July 1, 2011). "Shipshape opera performances on deck; Naval Park provides stage for 'Il Tabarro'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  25. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 24, 2013). "NCO on a - What else? - 5-year winning streak". The Buffalo News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  26. ^ Aryeh Oron (April 28, 2022). "Matthias Manasi (Conductor, Piano)". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  27. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (February 16, 2016). "With all the right touches, NC Opera Buffalo does justice to La Bohème". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  28. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 21, 2011). "Opera on the upswing; while other opera companies are floundering, NC Opera Buffalo flourishes by thinking outside the box". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  29. ^ Michael Rabice (May 16, 2016). "Shot! A world premiere presented by NCO at Shea's Buffalo Theatre". Broadway World. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  30. ^ Maki Becker (June 6, 2022). "Amid latest wave of Covid-19, the show will go on, just a little later". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  31. ^ Jan Jezioro (June 15, 2011). "Il Trovatore at The Riviera Theatre - Nickel City Opera launches its third season with big plans". Artvoice. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  32. ^ Calgary Opera (March 30, 2017). "Calgary Opera program - Turandot - Michele Capalbo, Soprano - Turandot". Calgary Opera. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  33. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2015). "Lockport native with an international career brings an extra twist to Mozart". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  34. ^ Aryeh Oron (May 12, 2022). "Ray Chenez (Countertenor)". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  35. ^ Arizona Opera (May 10, 2023). "Arizona Opera Cast Members & Creatives - Zulimar López-Hernández". Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  36. ^ Minnesota Opera (February 2, 2023). "Minnesota Opera - Biography Zulimar López-Hernández". Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  37. ^ Mark Sommer (July 1, 2011). "Shipshape opera performances on deck; Naval Park provides stage for 'Il Tabarro'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  38. ^ Gulfcoast Symphony (April 16, 2023). "Biography James Wright-Figaro". Gulfcoast Symphony. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  39. ^ Frank Parlato (June 6, 2016). "Premiere Of New Opera About The History Of Buffalo". ARTVOICE. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  40. ^ Staatstheater Nürnberg (November 2, 2022). "Staatstheater Nürnberg-Ray Chenez". Staatstheater Nürnberg Official site. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  41. ^ People in the News (May 11, 2017). "Ruminski receives Opera America award, NCO prepares Roadshow Opera". The Am-Pol Eagle. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  42. ^ Am-Pol Eagle (May 11, 2017). "Ruminski receives Opera America award". ampoleagle.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  43. ^ Michael Rabice (May 16, 2016). "SHOT! A WORLD PREMIERE presented by NCO AT SHEA'S BUFFALO THEATRE". Broadway World. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  44. ^ Mary Kunz Goldman (June 11, 2016). "President McKinley is a hearty character in opera premiere". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  45. ^ Sharon Cantillon (June 17, 2016). "Nickel City Opera rehearses 'Shot!'". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  46. ^ Library of Congress (July 11, 2008). "The Paper Print Film Collection at the Library of Congress". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  47. ^ Frank HoushJun (June 28, 2021). "Sotto Voce Vocal Collective's The Second Sight - A new opera with spectacular performances". buffalospree.com. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  48. ^ Florida Department of State (September 19, 2019). "Culture builds Florida - Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs". elizabethabaker.com. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  49. ^ Raymond Elman (January 2, 2023). "Michael Ching: From Opera to Opry". ArtSpeak. Retrieved December 27, 2024.
  50. ^ Features (June 6, 2018). "Manasi to leave the NCO". The Am-Pol Eagle. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  51. ^ Volker Blech (August 3, 2021). "Matthias Manasi: "Will mich wieder auf Europa konzentrieren"". Berliner Morgenpost. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  52. ^ Sabrina Kahwaty (December 29, 2023). "Former NCO Conductor Shines ON". digital.buffalospree.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.


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