OCNC Opera Ball Postponed Til Next Weekend

Due to adverse weather conditions in the Triangle, The Opera Company of North Carolina has rescheduled its 2010 Opera Ball to February 6, 2010 at 6:30 PM. The Ball will still be held at Prestonwood Country Club and all reservations will be honored. The original date was tomorrow evening, and there are still reservations. For tickets or further information, call the office at 919.792.3850.

Stay warm and dry this weekend. And because I know how you are, North Carolinians, go on already and get your bread, milk, flashlight, water and candles for the blizzard! See you at the Opera Ball NEXT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6!!

Opera Ball postponed. Snow in our future?

Weather Updates Posted Here at NCOpera

As the Triangle braces for a major winter storm this weekend, weather updates will be posted here. Please check back here for updates concerning opera events this weekend. You can also check WRAL-TV and wral.com for any cancellations. OCNC’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Opera Ball, Midwinter Night’s Dream, is scheduled for Saturday evening at Cary’s Prestonwood Country Club. This blog will keep current any information regarding postponement or rescheduling of this event should the weather dictate.

Ooh La La! Opera Ball This Weekend!

Can it be already the end of January? Must be because the tres chic OCNC Opera Ball is Saturday night at Prestonwood Country Club. The clink of champagne glasses, ballgowns and penguin suits–oh my! And thankfully, unlike the annual Dresden SemperOperaball which took place a few weeks ago, I don’t think we need worry much about LaToya Jackson turning up (best not to ask).

OCNC’s Opera Ball is its largest fundraiser, generating essential support for the upcoming season. For last minute ball tickets or to buy raffle tickets, call the office at 919.792.3850. Meanwhile here is the lovely Danielle de Niese as Susannah in Nozze di Figaro in Amsterdam three years ago. Delightful, lovely voice.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

With the Opera Ball–A Midwinter Night’s Dream–fast approaching, I got to thinking about Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The 1968 production of Shakespeare’s play is set in an English boarding school–think Hogwarts minus musicians. It includes two queens: one Queen of the Fairies and one for the Amazons. It also has a tinker, tailor, weaver and a treble Moth. Helen Mirren (who just bleeds Oscars) played love-interest Hermia in the 1968 play production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. Later, in the early ’80s, BBC did a television production of the play, and Mirren was promoted to playing the Queen of the Fairies. Lucky lady.

But let’s play opera trivia. Anyone remember who took Shakespeare’s play and turned it into an opera earlier in the 20th century??? Anyone??? Yup, it was Benjamin Britten, that British composer (go you Suffolk lad!), friend of Aaron Copland, and conscientious objector (yes they had them in WWII). Britten also wrote Peter Grimes, Turn of the Screw and Billy Budd, three other English operas.

I’d show you a picture of Britten, but I think pictures showing Mirren in 1968 and today are more interesting!

1968 Helen

Dame Helen today

Get Your Opera Ball Tickets Now!

Mad Hot Opera Ball!

What’s the Triangle area without the Opera Ball??? That’s like Venice without canals!!!

You don’t want to miss a minute of A Midwinter Night’s Dream–the return of the Opera Company of North Carolina’s spectacular annual fundraising gala. Last year’s ball goers hailed it as “the best gala event ever” and the Opera Company said its auction was the “best fundraising event” of 2009.

The event sells out fast, so get your Ball tickets now to the 2010 Opera Ball: A Midwinter Night’s Dream.

In conjunction at the Ball, A Midwinter Night’s Dream Auction is a benefit for the Opera Company of North Carolina. OCNC seeks to foster the advancement of and provide opportunities for all opera artists and patrons, and to increase community awareness, appreciation and support of opera in North Carolina.

Come and celebrate opera at the 2010 Opera Ball, A Midwinter Night’s Dream!

6:30 PM Saturday, January 30, 2010
Prestonwood Country Club
130 Prestonwood Parkway
Cary, North Carolina 27513

6:00 – 8:15 pm Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:00 – 9:00 pm Dinner
8:45 – 9:30 pm Live Auction

Dancing, dessert & cocktails to follow the Live Auction
Attire: Black Tie
Tickets are priced at $225 each (partially tax deductible)

Call the Company today at 919.792.3850!