2008 Woodie Awards
Local opera reaches for high notes
Sarah Hale
Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: The Arts
"I think it's going very well so far," Schoonover says. "The season opened this weekend to lots of laughter and lots of applause. People really seem to be enjoying what's happening."
In 1994, Schoonover wanted to put his Italian conducting degree to work in St. Louis. As a music director at Union Avenue Christian Church, he found a sanctuary for his new company.
Now an independent organization, the Union Avenue Opera is an established venue for both patrons and performers.
"We're not part of the church … but they were really instrumental in giving us a place to be when we were starting off," Schoonover says. "Now we've invested in the church."
The company recently financed a $25,000 renovation to the sanctuary, which included stage updates and an orchestra pit.
Schoonover, once a staff accompanist at SLU, founded Union Avenue Opera hoping to provide the St. Louis community with a quality, affordable opera outlet.
Tickets for the operas range from $30 to $52, and season tickets can be had for as little as $85.
Schoonover opened up auditions for key roles to opera stars on the rise from across the country. Though each singer in the 16-member opera chorus lives in or around St. Louis, the leads come from auditions held in New York, California and St. Louis.
Bit players in more established theaters, new stars can use their experience as leads in St. Louis on their resumes.
Several SLU graduates and employees are making names for themselves at the Union Avenue Opera.
Students Meghan Garvin and Ashley Brownlee have secured roles this summer, and SLU professor John Lamb, Ph.D., is the group's production photographer.
The Union Avenue Opera is located at 733 N. Union Blvd, and can be contacted at (314) 361-2881 and www.unionavenueopera.org.
In 1994, Schoonover wanted to put his Italian conducting degree to work in St. Louis. As a music director at Union Avenue Christian Church, he found a sanctuary for his new company.
Now an independent organization, the Union Avenue Opera is an established venue for both patrons and performers.
"We're not part of the church … but they were really instrumental in giving us a place to be when we were starting off," Schoonover says. "Now we've invested in the church."
The company recently financed a $25,000 renovation to the sanctuary, which included stage updates and an orchestra pit.
Schoonover, once a staff accompanist at SLU, founded Union Avenue Opera hoping to provide the St. Louis community with a quality, affordable opera outlet.
Tickets for the operas range from $30 to $52, and season tickets can be had for as little as $85.
Schoonover opened up auditions for key roles to opera stars on the rise from across the country. Though each singer in the 16-member opera chorus lives in or around St. Louis, the leads come from auditions held in New York, California and St. Louis.
Bit players in more established theaters, new stars can use their experience as leads in St. Louis on their resumes.
Several SLU graduates and employees are making names for themselves at the Union Avenue Opera.
Students Meghan Garvin and Ashley Brownlee have secured roles this summer, and SLU professor John Lamb, Ph.D., is the group's production photographer.
The Union Avenue Opera is located at 733 N. Union Blvd, and can be contacted at (314) 361-2881 and www.unionavenueopera.org.
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