ANNOUNCING BARE OPERA:
AN OPERA STARTUP WITH A FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIAL OPERA EXPERIENCE AND CONTEMPORARY INTERMEDIA ARTS COLLABORATION
Manhattan company promises promotion of emerging artists and development of new audiences
(March 9, 2015; New York, NY)--Announcing Bare Opera, a new alternative opera company in New York City. Bare Opera's mission is to develop new audiences through a more accessible experience with relaxed concert atmospheres and inventive productions of standard and non-standard repertoire.
With fully-staged productions in unconventional spaces such as galleries and warehouses, the Bare Opera experience is casual and fun, appealing to both audiences new to opera and veteran opera goers alike. Audiences can grab a glass of wine or beer and enjoy an intimate and immersive theatrical experience.
By promoting emerging artists and unique cross-genre collaborations, Bare Opera will be a new and exciting addition to New York City's artistic community.
Members of Bare Opera, including Co-Founder and Artistic Director Laetitia Ruccolo, worked with Brooklyn's successful Loft Opera for its first several seasons. They bring a unique vision for the future of opera and an entrepreneurial spirit to Manhattan.
“We are not only dedicated to the integrity of the art form and high artistic standards; through contemporary intermedia arts collaboration we strive to create a uniquely modern and immersive theatrical experience,” said the company’s Co-Founder and General Director, Min Lew.
"By pushing the boundaries and perceptions of opera, Bare Opera hopes to be an active agent of change in the cultural landscape of opera and classical music," Lew remarks. “There is an entrepreneurial spirit at the core of this company that I hope will help create a sustainable and vibrant future for opera.”
ABOUT THE TEAM:
Laetitia Ruccolo, Artistic Director: Ms. Ruccolo is an acclaimed collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and music director, who has performed and worked extensively in both Europe and the United States. She served as the musical director at Loft Opera for two years, where under her musical direction the company rose to one of the most successful startup opera companies in New York City. Originally from France, she has attended Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, Cefedem Ile de France, and University Mozarteum. She recently graduated from Mannes College of Music, where she received a full scholarship to study collaborative piano and opera coaching. She is a prizewinner at the Gino Gandolfi Competition in Italy, Marie Jaëll in France and International Chamber Music Competition Les Corts in Barcelona.
Min Lew, General Director: Ms. Lew holds a B.A. from Wellesley College and has worked for Boston Lyric Opera, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, and Carnegie Hall. She most recently worked for the Metropolitan Opera as a Financial Analyst and is currently an Operations Associate at New York City Ballet. Prior to her career in arts business, Min worked as a collaborative pianist, music educator, and music director in Boston. She holds a Master of Music in piano performance from Longy School of Music, where she studied with Randall Hodgkinson. Min also serves on the Board of the New York Wellesley Alumnae Association.