Hawaii Opera Theatre facts for kids
The Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) is the main opera company in Hawaii. It started in 1960. Each year, HOT performs three or more operas. Their opera season usually begins in October and finishes in early summer of the next year. Most performances happen at the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu.
HOT also performs in other cool places like the historic Hawaii Theatre, old warehouses, and even art studios. Since 2004, HOT has added a summer show, often a funny comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan or a musical. In 2016, they even performed a special concert of Verdi's Rigoletto with Hawaii's own singer, Quinn Kelsey. Quinn Kelsey started his career singing in HOT's chorus before becoming a famous opera star around the world!
History
The very first opera performed by this group was Madama Butterfly by Puccini in 1961. It took place at McKinley High School in Honolulu. For about 20 years, the company was part of the Honolulu Symphony.
In 1980, HOT became its own independent organization. Their first independent season in 1981 featured three operas: La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Carmen. In 1987, they started using Supertitles, which are like subtitles shown above the stage to help the audience understand the words being sung. By 1993, over 2,000 people were members of HOT!
In 2004, HOT started its Summer Season with The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan. Other summer shows included The Pirates of Penzance (2005), The King and I (2006) with actor Richard Chamberlain, South Pacific (2007), and A Little Night Music (2008).
In 2014, HOT put on a modern version of The Mikado in Honolulu and on Maui. This show included cool elements like anime, harajuku girls, and characters inspired by yakuza (Japanese gangsters).
In 2015, HOT started something new called "Opera in a Warehouse." This was part of their #ImHOT campaign to bring opera to more people and encourage a new generation to enjoy it. They performed Siren Song, a story about a young sailor caught in a "catfish" scam (where someone pretends to be someone else online). They turned an empty warehouse in Kaka'ako into a performance space. Siren Song got great reviews and used video designs projected onto the white warehouse walls to create a unique experience.
In 2016, HOT added two special one-night concerts. These included Rigoletto in Concert with Hawaii's own Quinn Kelsey and the first Hawaii performance of Sol3 Mio. Sol3 Mio is a group of classically trained singers from New Zealand who mix opera and pop music.
Educational programs
HOT has many programs to teach people about opera. In 1981, they started a program for classrooms, which grew to include more elementary and high school students by 1984.
One of their most important programs is "Opera For Everyone" (OFE). OFE lets students get involved in all parts of an opera production. They can help with the technical crew, perform on stage, or simply watch an opera. Students can attend the final dress rehearsal for a lower price. OFE participants can also help build sets, create costumes, do makeup, or even perform. This is a special chance for students who might want to work in opera someday, and it makes HOT unique!
HOT's Education Team reaches over 25,000 children and adults each year through its programs. The OFE program performs over 75 shows at schools on different islands across Hawaii.
See also
- Beebe Freitas – Former Head of Music
