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History
Opéra Louisiane — History in the Making
By Charlotte Ashbrook
Freelance Writer
I recently met with Robert Grayson at Opéra Louisiane’s modest offices in downtown Baton Rouge. This new opera company will begin its third season on October 1, 2009, but I had heard it evolved from an unusual inspiration. “The idea literally began with a dream” Grayson suggested, “in December of 2006.” Without going into great detail, Grayson found himself in an executive office with an unknown secretary looking out into a large glass lobby. As he walked into the lobby, he saw a markee which listed resident groups: a ballet, a symphony, a chamber orchestra, and an opera company. At the bottom of the sign it read, “Robert Grayson, executive director.” “It was a vivid dream, and I remember telling my wife about it...she is always interested, but she gave me one of those looks that read ‘really interesting, Bob, but don’t get any ideas.’”
Three weeks later Grayson traveled to New York City to spend some time with his friend and former student Paul Groves, a Lake Charles, LA native, who was opening “The First Emperor” at the Metropolitan Opera. While there the two friends began talking about all the great singers who were from Louisiana, along with the wealth of emerging singers in our State, and wouldn’t it be a great idea to organize a gala performance based on this talent pool. In January 2007, Grayson returned to Louisiana and met with his good friend Beth Courtney, CEO of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. “Beth loved the gala idea and encouraged me to pursue it.” Great performers—one after the other—agreed to appear and were available during the same period. “The stars aligned!”
Grayson knows of what he speaks. A complete musician, he is first a Grammy Award winning singer and a noted teacher of a number of international singers, but he is also an accomplished conductor, stage director, and opera consultant. He is an organist with a particular interest in improvisation. He notes “I was introduced to my future wife, Karola, by my organ instructor at Cal State Long Beach. We were just 18—we married after graduation and just celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary.” Grayson’s daughter just completed her PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
During February Grayson began thinking with great stars and a television gala in the development stage, this would be an ideal time to launch a professional opera company for the Baton Rouge community. So he gathered several prominent arts supporters including Ken Nelson, Carole Marshall, Annette Douthat, and Annette Seng, as founding directors, along with opera enthusiast attorney, Jerry Davis. In March, this group incorporated and Opera Louisiane, Inc. was born. “Amanda Vincent soon joined the effort and connected us with Mayor President Kip Holden, who without reservation gave his vote of confidence and committed to be a major underwriter of our Young People’s Opera for three years.” Opéra Louisiane also received valuable advice and support from John Davies at the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and from Derek Gordon at the Arts Council of Baton Rouge.
“We’ve had a remarkable three years! We have been nationally telecast; have presented six events in 18 months, and we have done so responding to some serious challenges—most notably Hurricane Gustav which truncated and rearranged our first full season. “But we have been ultra responsible in the way we have handled our finances, and the quality of the performances we have offered has met an extraordinary level of quality.” So what does the 2009-2010 season promise?
Opéra Louisiane Brings Out the Stars
October 1, 2008
at the Old State Capitol
A gala concert with nationally recognized artists from the Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Des Moines Opera, Pensacola Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera.
Opéra Louisiane presents Hansel & Gretel
November 15, 2009
at the River Center Theater
A brand new production of one of the most popular operas of all time, based on the Grimms Brother’s fairytale. Establish a new family holiday tradition. Sung in English.
Opéra Louisiane presents Lucas Meachem, baritone
February 21, 2010
First Baptist Auditorium
The star of the Metropolitan Opera and great opera houses around the world presents a concert of familiar arias, songs, and music theater in the great acoustics of FBC.
Opéra Louisiane and All That Jazz
April 8, 2010
Manship Theater at the Shaw Center
Special guests Bill Grimes and Willis Delony join Robert Grayson and Opéra Louisiane’s Young Artists in a program of opera, operetta, and ....jazz.
If Grayson seems goal oriented, he expects no less from Opéra Louisiane which has four goals: To bring internationally recognized singers to perform in Baton Rouge; To present full-productions of opera, concerts, and recitals to the community and to children; To give transitional professional experience to young singers; To provide employment to musicians, designers, and theater technicians.”
Grayson insists this is a collaborative effort: “I have a remarkable director of administration and development, Leanne Pettit and we’re fortunate to have dedicated officers, a remarkably capable Board of Directors, and a generous community. I’m here to make sure everyone knows that Baton Rouge now has its own professional opera company – Opéra Louisiane!”
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Opera Louisiane’s 09 - 10 Season is made possible by The Mayor’s Office & the City Parish of East Baton Rouge,
The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge & The Louisiana Division of the Arts. |
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