Tag Archives: Ryan McKinny

HOTEugeneOnegin

10 Reasons to see HOT’s Eugene Onegin

Still looking for reasons to come out and see HOT’s Eugene Onegin? Here’s 10!

1: It’s GRAND

Eugene Onegin

Courtesy of Erhard Rom

The magic and power of the local, volunteer HOT Chorus collides with a full symphony, magnificent sets and scenery, and world-class opera singers for truly grand opera! Eugene Onegin is “a deeply moving tale packed with big tunes, dances, and a heart-stopping duel,” according to Opera 101. See all of the arts – music, theatre, staging, literature, etc. – come together in perfect harmony for HOT’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.

2: It’s RUSSIAN

Russian

In a time when all we seem to hear about Russia is bad news, experience Russia’s best. Iconic Russian literature by Pushkin brought to life with one of Russia’s most famous composers, Tchaikovsky, and performed in the beautiful Russian language. But don’t worry, there are English supertitles!

3: It’s RARE

Eugene Onegin

Courtesy of Erhard Rom

Sure, you can see Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet every year in Hawaii. But how often do you get the chance to hear his most loved opera, Eugene Onegin? The last time HOT produced the opera was 2003. Don’t let another 15 years go by without hearing the opera live!

4: It’s STAR-STUDDED

Ryan McKinny and Melody Moore

Opera stars Ryan McKinny (Onegin) and Melody Moore (Tatyana) are back together for the first time in years! They were last onstage together for HOT’s 2015 production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman.  Joining them onstage is a multi-national cast, including singers making their debuts from Serbia, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

5: It’s EMPOWERING

Eugene Onegin

Courtesy of Erhard Rom

Some have said that Eugene Onegin should be named Tatyana. Her character transforms from an impressionable, quiet country girl to a confident, powerful young woman. And though she begins the opera downtrodden, she finishes triumphant.

6: It’s LITERARY

Pushkin

Pushkin’s poetry, which is the basis for the opera, has been likened to Shakespeare. The character of Eugene Onegin is the original ‘superfluous man,’ or anti-hero, influencing Anton Chekhov and countless other narratives since its inception. The story of Eugene Onegin can be compared to Romeo & Juliet, Pride & Prejudice, and more literary and theatrical favorites.

7: It’s DRAMATIC

Eugene Onegin Drama

Passion. Revenge. Regret. And an action-packed duel. Get ready for even more drama than “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”.

8: It’s NEW

HOT Co-Production

Be one of the first audiences to see this ALL-NEW production, co-produced by HOT in collaboration with Seattle Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

9: It’s TCHAIKOVSKY

Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer of the romantic period. His works are among the most popular music in the classical repertoire, including his 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and more. His music is regarded as some of classical’s most beautiful. And his opera Eugene Onegin is considered near-perfect among opera lovers.

10: It’s LIVE

Live Opera

Courtesy of Erhard Rom

This is an experience you can’t catch on Netflix or DVR for later. Each and every HOT performance is different from the next, and there’s only one opportunity to catch it live! Hear vocal acrobats reach the back of the 2,000-seat Blaisdell Concert hall with absolutely no amplification. Get your tickets today!

HOT Tube – Preview of The Flying Dutchman

Check out this amazing preview of HOT’s production of The Flying Dutchman starring Ryan McKinny, Melody Moore, & Jay Hunter Morris, as they are caught in a love triangle that has captivated audience for generations!

Buy your tickets now to The Flying Dutchman online and at www.HawaiiOpera.org or call the HOT Box Office at 808.596.7858!

HOT TUBE – THE FLYING DUTCHMAN BEHIND THE SCENES WITH DIRECTOR SARA WIDZER & CHOREOGRAPHER ERIC SEAN FOGEL PT. 2

Enjoy this second video, which takes you behind the scenes with Director Sara Widzer and Choreographer Eric Sean Fogel and their work on The Flying Dutchman!

Buy your tickets now to The Flying Dutchman online and at www.HawaiiOpera.org or call the HOT Box Office at 808.596.7858!

 

HOT Tube – The Flying Dutchman Behind the Scenes With Director Sara Widzer & Choreographer Eric Sean Fogel Pt. 1

Enjoy this video, which takes you behind the scenes with Director Sara Widzer and Choreographer Eric Sean Fogel and their work on The Flying Dutchman!

Buy your tickets now to The Flying Dutchman online and at www.HawaiiOpera.org or call the HOT Box Office at 808.596.7858!

 

Pop Culture 101 – The Flying Dutchman

If you’re new to opera, the first thing you think of when you hear “The Flying Dutchman” is probably not the opera by German powerhouse composer Richard Wagner.

It’s probably this:

Screen shot 2015-01-29 at 1.31.52 PM

In The Pirates of the Caribbean, Davy Jones serves as the captain of the ghost ship ‘The Flying Dutchman.’

The blockbuster film Pirates of the Caribbean has many similarities to The Flying Dutchman. A ghost ship, a cursed captain, and of course thrilling music, are all part of Wagner’s opera. Even the set, imported from the Glimmerglass Festival in New York, is a ship! Of course, there is one major theme of The Flying Dutchman that isn’t found in, but instead in another popular film (especially for teenagers):

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Twilight was released in 2008 and pulled at the heartstrings of millions of teenagers.

Francesca Zambello, the production’s original director, saw an interesting connection between both tales.  Yes, it’s romance!  Senta, the main object of attraction in The Flying Dutchman, faces the same inner struggle as Bella Swan in Twilight. Will she choose Erik, the stable huntsman who is clearly in love with her? Or the Dutchman, a mysterious, swash-buckling man with a dangerous attitude? In other words… #TeamErik or #TeamDutchman? Speaking of teams, if you’re a soccer fan you probably watched the World Cup 2014 this past summer. Who remembers this iconic moment from the Netherlands v. Spain?

In this instance, the term ‘The Flying Dutchman’ is literal. Robert van Persie literally turned into the Flying Dutchman to score a goal for the Netherlands against Spain. What’s better about HOT’s production? Not only does our Dutchman fly for more than just a few seconds, but we also have multiple dancers flying on ropes! Well, that, and a hunky Bass-Baritone…

Screen shot 2015-01-29 at 1.36.33 PM

Who can resist Ryan McKinny?!

To conclude, HOT’s production of The Flying Dutchman has elements from all three of these popular cultural references (??) and more! Join us as we drop anchor at the Blaisdell Center on Feb 13, 15, and 17! Buy tickets online at Ticketmaster or call our box office at (808) 596-7858.     The Netherlands forward garnered the title ‘The Flying Dutchman’ after his acrobatic header.The