Role

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Ensemble

 

Ensemble of the Ohio Light Opera is a classical music ensemble that has been entertaining audiences for over 40 years. Founded in 1979, the ensemble is based in Wooster, Ohio, and is known for its performances of operettas, musicals, and other light operatic works. The Ohio Light Opera was founded by James Stuart, a professor of music at The College of Wooster, and F. Grayson Wagstaff, a professor of music at Brigham Young University. The two men shared a love of operetta and light opera and wanted to create a company that would perform these works in a professional setting. They chose Wooster as the location for the company because of its proximity to Cleveland and Akron, two cities with large audiences for classical music. The first season of the Ohio Light Opera was in the summer of 1979, and the company performed three operettas: "The Mikado," "The Pirates of Penzance," and "The Gondoliers." The performances were well-received, and the company quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality productions. Over the years, the Ohio Light Opera has become known for its performances of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as other operettas and musicals from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The company has also commissioned new works and has performed modern operettas and musicals. The ensemble is made up of a core group of performers who return year after year, as well as guest artists who join the company for specific productions. The core group includes singers, actors, and dancers, and many of them have been with the company for decades. The ensemble is led by Steven Daigle, who has been the artistic director since 2008. One of the highlights of the Ohio Light Opera's history was its performance of all 14 Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in the summer of 1997. The company performed one operetta per week, and the series was a huge success. The performances were attended by audiences from all over the country, and the company received national attention for the achievement. The Ohio Light Opera has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2012, the company was awarded the National Opera Association's Best Production Award for its production of "The Mikado." The company has also been recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for its performances of Gilbert and Sullivan's works. In addition to its regular summer season, the Ohio Light Opera also performs throughout the year. The company has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and has toured to other cities in the United States. The ensemble has also performed internationally, including in Japan and England. The Ohio Light Opera is committed to preserving and promoting the operetta and light opera repertoire. The company's performances are known for their high-quality singing, acting, and dancing, as well as their elaborate sets and costumes. The ensemble has become a beloved institution in Wooster and beyond, and its performances are eagerly anticipated by audiences every year.

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