Thank you to all who came to our free Open House!

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, Boston Lyric Opera welcomed nearly 900 Boston area residents to the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre. Guests of all ages and all levels of opera experience from a variety of Boston’s communities enjoyed an all-access pass to enjoy performances, backstage and dressing room tours, demonstrations, an aria contest for teens, and more. It was a rare chance to see the inner workings of a theatre around the trappings of a professional production, BLO’s 2009-2010 Season opener, Carmen.

What people are saying about the Open House:

“My family moved to Boston from London on Tuesday and happened to find out about the open house on Saturday. What a fabulous event! It was a great break from unpacking. We all enjoyed it very much, especially the performances, backstage tour and opera glass making. My 7 and 10 year olds had a great time. We all felt so welcomed and will be back! Boston Lyric Opera may be smaller than the Royal Opera, but it is a great deal more welcoming.” – Andrew & Tristan B.

“Our family really loved the Open House. Thank you to everyone--you clearly worked very hard--for making it so much fun.” – Alison A.

Read about BLO’s Aria Contest for teens

Click here to see pictures from our Costume Shop!

Boston Lyric Opera thanks the following for their support in making this event possible: The Cabot Family Charitable Trust, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and members of BLO’s Board. It also thanks the Citi Performing Arts Center for logistical and promotional support, and ArtsBoston, Boston.com, and NewVentures Boston for their advertising support.

All photos by Jeffrey Dunn for Boston Lyric Opera ©2009
These photos are for event promotion use only. For press photos or any other photo use, please contact Mia Howard, Boston Lyric Opera Marketing & Communications Manager, at mhoward@blo.org or 617.542.4912 x240.

Guests enjoying a rare glimpse into the Shubert’s orchestra pit, a very popular destination of the Open House tour.	Jason Allen, BLO’s Wig & Makeup Designer for Carmen, explains the painstaking process of crafting each dramatic head of hair and makeup palette for Carmen’s gypsies and bourgeoisie.	Tyler York, BLO’s Audience Services Associate, talks about the Stage Manager’s station and everything the Stage Manager is responsible for with guests on the backstage tour.
A young guest pretends he is Carmen’s conductor Keith Lockhart in the orchestra pit of the Shubert Theatre.	Open House guests enjoy walking on the new set of BLO’s Carmen – an opportunity rarely afforded to the public.	Open House guests experience the singer’s perspective of the beautiful Shubert Theatre from the new set of BLO’s Carmen.
Damien Francoeur-Krzyzek accompanies Carmen cast members Meredith Hansen, Gregory Gerbrandt, Stephanie Chigas, and Darren Anderson during a light-hearted performance of “Opera Favorites” during the Open House.	Two young Open House guests are welcomed to the Shubert Theatre by legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, portrayed here by Aaron Styles, a student at the Boston Conservatory.	Alexandra Selawsky-Group of Milton is congratulated by fellow Aria Contest finalists Ariel Galford, David Tackeff and contest MC Joyce Kulhawik for winning First Place in BLO’s Aria Contest for teens. Second and third prize were awarded to Mr. Tackeff and Ms. Galford, respectively.
Andrea Coleman, a member of BLO’s ensemble, leads young Open House guests through a vocal warmup in the women’s chorus dressing room during the backstage tour.	Three young Open House guests raid BLO’s costume trunk.	Two young Open House guests demonstrate how sturdily the rocks of BLO’s new Carmen set were constructed by American Repertory Theatre’s Scenic Studios.
Eager Open House guests line up for a backstage tour in the lobby of the Shubert Theatre.	Two young Open House visitors model their new “opera glasses” during a backstage tour.	A young Open House guest poses with props from BLO’s new production of Carmen during the popular backstage tour.
Open House guests of all ages fill the Shubert Theatre to enjoy the “Opera Favorites” and Aria Contest performances.	BLO’s costume trunk appeals to Open House guests of all ages.	Musically-inspired cookies donated to BLO’s Open House by the Four Seasons Hotel were a popular treat.