Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" -- May 29-June 12

Star-crossed lovers, dueling houses, devious plots—oh my! 

Join Bel Cantanti Opera as we re-tell the timeless classic love story of Romeo and Juliet through the brilliance of Charles Gounod’s famous opera, Roméo et Juliette. While this classic tale has been retold numerous times through movies, plays, ballets and other operas, Gounod’s music speaks to the heart and you’ll have strain's of Juliette’s aria, Ah, Je Veux Vivre, waltzing in your head by night’s end.

Performed in French with the English supertitles, fully staged, in costume. Accompanied by the chamber orchestra directed by BCO Artistic Director, Dr. Katerina Souvorova.

Sunday, May 29, 3:00pm
Friday, June 3, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 5, 7:30pm
Friday, June 10, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 12, 2:00 (Time change!)

Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD

Tickets ONLINE: Adult - $38, Student - $15
http://www.eventbrite.com/org/554133974

Tickets at the door: Adult - $40, Student - $15
Groups of 10 and more: $30 each

Ticket information: (301) 266-7546 or tickets@belcantanti.com

Say No to the Proposed D.C. Ticket Tax - Sign the Petition before 5/26

On Thursday, May 26, the D.C. City Council will vote on a sales tax amendment which, if passed, will impose a sales tax on tickets sold by non-federal, nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the District: performing arts groups, museums, churches, public schools, universities -- anyone who charges an admission price for a ticketed event.

If this tax amendment is passed...  

• Ticket prices throughout D.C. will increase.
• Fewer audience members will attend performances.
• The businesses near theatres, including retail centers and restaurants, will see less traffic as smaller audiences attend performances.
• Organizations will face new administrative costs to implement the tax, so less money will be able to go toward the organizations' missions. 
• The vibrant, diverse arts community in the District will be compromised.

We firmly believe that passing this amendment will actually decrease overall funds to the District and hurt nonprofits and local businesses.

Furthermore, this proposed tax comes on the heels of a 75% grant reduction due to the recent federal budget cuts to the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program, which provides invaluable operating support to the Shakespeare Theatre Company and other major D.C. arts organizations. This loss of funding, coupled with the proposed ticket tax, could have direct results on many of STC's free education and outreach programs -- and the thousands of adults and children who benefit from them.

Please stand with us and our fellow nonprofit organizations, and let the D.C. City Council know that you're against the sales tax amendment. (See below for details.) 

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Washington DC Arts Groups

Say No to the Proposed D.C. Ticket Tax 

If you support the arts in D.C., here's how YOU can help:

1.)   Write a letter to the D.C. City Council. Click here to read a sample letter. It also contains talking points you may use if you prefer to write your own letter. You'll find the Council Members' email addresses here.

2.) Fill out the online petition. Tell the D.C. City Council what you think in one minute or less. 

Make your voice heard, whether you're a D.C. resident or not. 

Audition for Bass-Baritone for DC-based Opera Company

Bel Cantanti Opera has an opening for a bass-baritone to sing Don Magnifico in Rossini's opera La Cenerentola this June, as part of the BCO/CUA Summer Opera Festival.

The opera will be fully staged, performed in Italian, in costume, with a chamber orchestra.

The dates of the festival are June 3 through June 19, 2011.

Venue: Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.

Housing for out of town singers will be provided.

Singers interested in auditioning for the role need to contact Dr. Katerina Souvorova at auditions@belcantanti.com

Materials: current resume, head shot and MP3 recording (if available).