Central City Opera joins Art Song Colorado and the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center for “Proud Voices,” series of events curated to celebrate traditionally underrepresented voices through music and storytelling. In conjunction with Denver Pride, the series includes a LGBTQ+ concert, a panel and performance at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center highlighting the themes of the Holocaust remembrance opera Two Remain, and a special Pride celebration day during the 2022 Central City Opera summer festival. “We are so pleased to collaborate with these unique communities and use the power of the arts to create a space for awareness and learning,” said Michael Walker, Central City Opera’s Annual Giving Manager. “Now more than ever, we need thoughtful dialogue and mutual understanding between each other.” The full roster of events is listed below. Visit centralcityopera.org/pride for more details and tickets.
Saturday, June 11, 20227:00 p.m.We were always here (an LGBTQ+ Concert)Presented by Art Song ColoradoSt. Andrew United Methodist Church9203 S. University Blvd.Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 From Handel to Heggie, experience the lighter side of classical music from the LGBTQ+ community. Join John Seesholtz and Melissa Lubecke as they share vocal music from composers, librettists and poets who are part of this community. Allies joining them will be Mallory Bernstein on piano with a special appearance by Art Song Colorado founder, Eapen Leubner.
Sunday, June 12, 20222:00 p.m.Two Remain Panel and “For a Look or a Touch” PerformancePresented by Central City Opera and JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center JCC Mizel Arts and Culture CenterThe Elaine Wolf Theatre350 S. Dahlia StreetDenver, CO 80246 Moderated by John Seesholtz, the Director of Vocal Pedagogy at CU Boulder, this educational panel includes Anna Simon, who made history as part of the first same-sex couple to be married in Colorado, and other LGBTQIA+ activists and Judaic Studies experts. They will discuss the themes and historical context of the opera Two Remain written by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer. Two Remain is based, in part, on the true stories of two Holocaust survivors: the Polish dissident Krystyna Zywulska (1914-1993) and the gay German Jew, Gad Beck (1923-2012). After the panel, Central City Opera Festival artist Sean Stanton will perform a selection of works from Two Remain with Michael Baitzer on piano. Cost: Free (advance registration is requested)
Saturday, July 16, 2022All DayCentral City Opera “Pride Day”Central City Opera House124 Eureka StreetCentral City, CO 80427 Show your LGBTQ+ pride and support at the 2022 Central City Opera Festival! Events on July 16, 2022 include a performance of The Light in the Piazza, a performance of Two Remain, Lunch and a Song, Short Works, and more! LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, friends and supporters are encouraged wear pink to show their Pride!
