Brown Opera Productions

Brown Opera Productions (BOP) is dedicated to the promotion and performance of classical vocal music both on campus and in the greater Providence, Rhode Island, community and is a space for singers and musicians to collaborate on exciting classical performance projects. BOP produces a full-length opera every spring, and throughout the year produces concerts of classical vocal music on campus and in local hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. As the name implies, the group is composed of Brown University students, who also work with Rhode Island School of Design students at times. BOP does not charge admission for its performances but depends on individual donations.
History
Brown Opera Productions was co-founded in 2005 by Michael Hadley ('07) and Clara Schuhmacher ('06). The inaugural board consisted of Michael Hadley (chair), Clara Schuhmacher (opera producer), Christie Gibson (concert and community service chair), Kathryn Wallem (publicity manager), Emily Dunne (secretary), Kate Tsunoda (treasurer), and Jonathan Ichikawa (webmaster). Throughout its first year, the organization produced a variety of on- and off-campus concerts. In April, BOP presented Gian-Carlo Menotti's The Medium, Brown’s first-ever student-produced full-length opera.
Over the subsequent years, BOP has grown to be one of the premiere Brown performing arts organizations. So far, BOP has produced six full-length operas (The Medium, Granados's Goyescas, Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, Offenbach's Monsieur Choufleuri, and Britten's The Turn of the Screw). BOP has also produced four staged concerts, four children's operas (including the student-written Frog Prince), and numerous aria concerts.
Productions
Fall operetta
Every fall, BOP puts on a fully staged operetta.
Fall and Winter arias concerts
These concerts are opportunities for vocalists to debut or to just sing something they have been working on. Accompanists are provided, and people are encouraged to sing whatever they want, from Handel to John Cage, Puccini to Gershwin. The arias concerts takes place in Grant Recital Hall. Recently, BOP has added a Spring Arias Concert and is planning on producing a Summer arias concert.

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