Tempo Tuesday

A special thank you to Sargent Keeton, Be’wiched, Summit Brewery and the Naked Grape for making this event possible. We also want to thank our press sponsor, The Onion.

Tempo converted a rehearsal hall at the Opera Center into a Mess Hall for the evening.

Sargent Keeton giving us the facts about opera.

Our exquisite performers for the evening

Our Tempo cadets

Special thanks to Summit Brewery and the Naked Grape for providing drinks for the evening.

And, last but not least, we would love to thank Be'wiched for providing food for the evening.

Tempo Tuesday

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

NPR questions Is Opera Stuff (Only) Rich People Like? How can we, as young professionals, change that narrative?

Should our passion for great art come with the ire of others? The New York Times, in an article discussing a successful year of fundraising at the Metropolitan Opera, received some harsh commentary:

In the comments section, vitriol against the Met donors spewed hot and heavy. “At least some of those sickening Wall Street bonuses are going to good use,” wrote one reader. “Sounds like at least a few folks can afford to pay more taxes,” groused another. One more sample: “Just as drug money built the Miami skyline, the corrupt nature of New York’s financial center will continue to fund the monuments of their success.”

Photo by Drew Krason

10 Questions with MN Opera Intern and Future Tempo Blogger Clark Rahman

1. What’s your sign?
Libra

2. Favorite opera?
I will do top three…. That is just a toughie; it is like asking someone’s favorite movie!
a. Bizet’s Carmen (I am a proud francophile) http://youtu.be/jG-0_p_yefg
b. Stauss’ Ariadne Auf Naxos (best memories of my life are in Germany and it is such a vocal delicacy) http://youtu.be/SzM9QOUPeI0
c. Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti for my Scottish roots http://youtu.be/JW5Ol3jNrJI

3. If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
I would be Jackie O.

4. What is your favorite dessert?
Pot de creme

5. If you had to describe yourself using three words, what would they be?
Sassy, busy, fulfilled

6. What is your favorite holiday?
Depends on what country I am in.

7. What was your first opera?
It might not count as a full fledged opera, but The Mikado when I was four years old during the Tulip Festival in Iowa. My mom was sure my sister and I would hate every moment but it has always remained one of my favorite childhood memories.

8. If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would you want to play you?
It would be sort of a cross between The Red Shoes (1939) and Breathless (1960). Don’t care who plays me, as long they are smouldering.

9. Are you a morning or night person?
Night.

10. What’s your favorite thing to do in the winter?
Going on vacation.

Tempo Tuesday

Check out Tempo’s blog at mnopera-tempo.blogspot.com/. Highlights will be posted every Tuesday on Minnesota Opera’s blog!

How to Survive Your First Opera: A Guide

The auditorium of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York Photograph: Archive Holdings Inc./Getty Images

The Guardian.co.uk recently published a first-timer’s guide to opera:  How to Survive your First Opera.

“Are you an opera virgin? We suggest how and where to make your own operatic debut. You can even go in jeans …”

Tempo is wild for first timers – we would love to introduce you to opera, the MN Opera community, and the fun that all young professionals have at Tempo!