OPERA WESTERN RESERVE

Press Release

YOUNGSTOWN, OH (July 7, 2023): On Friday, November 17 at 7:30 pm, Opera Western Reserve will present Carmen in the Edward W. Powers Auditorium at the DeYor Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now.

Carmen is an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée. The opera was first performed by the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875, where its breaking of conventions shocked and scandalized its first audiences. Carmen is a dramatic love story, interlaced with jealousy and tragedy. Soldier Don José is seduced by the fiery Carmen. José must choose between his military career and a life of unpredictability with Carmen.

This year’s production is being presented at the DeYor Performing Arts Center after nearly two decades at Stambaugh Auditorium.

“Youngstown is blessed with two fantastic large performance venues,” says Production Director, Scott Skiba. “The majestic Stambaugh Auditorium and the beautiful Powers Auditorium. Stambaugh was a wonderful home for the first 20 years of OWR to grow and thrive. Now that company support continues to expand we are able to offer more robust and spectacular productions. The beautiful 2,300 seat Art Deco venue is a theater and provides some important elements that Stambaugh Auditorium, a concert hall, did not. With amenities such as an orchestra pit, wings, and fly space, we’re excited for the increased production capacity and artist experience that the venue will provide, and also looking forward to the enhanced overall experience that we can offer the audience in this venue!”

Additionally, Opera Western Reserve will partner with Youngstown’s community arts school, Students Motivated by the Arts (SMARTS), to relaunch the OWR Children’s Choir for the fall production.

“I have been dreaming about a SMARTS Children’s Choir with Opera Western Reserve since the first time I saw one on their stage. We are grateful to be a part of this collaboration bringing many different communities together to celebrate theater, music, and the importance of the arts in the lives of our children. This wouldn’t be possible without help from the energetic and accomplished Megan Keown, vocal and general music teacher for 5-8 Grades at Austintown Local Schools and past SMARTS Music Teacher. We are excited to work with Megan again and look forward to offering this incredible opportunity to showcase her students,” said Becky Keck, SMARTS President.

Tickets for Carmen are on sale now and range from $25-$75 plus fees with discounts available for Youngstown Symphony Orchestra season subscribers. Tickets are available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM by calling 330-259-9651 or in person at the DeYor Performing Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are also available 24 hours a day online at operawesternreserve.org.