Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Opera

 

The Ohio Light Opera Chorus is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been entertaining audiences for over four decades. The group was founded in 1979 by James Stuart, a professor of music at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Stuart had a passion for operetta, a form of light opera that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and he wanted to create a company that would specialize in this genre. The Ohio Light Opera Chorus began as a small group of singers who performed in local venues around Wooster. However, the group quickly gained a reputation for their high-quality performances and soon began to attract larger audiences. In 1980, the company staged its first full-scale production, "The Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert and Sullivan. The show was a huge success and set the tone for the company's future productions. Over the years, the Ohio Light Opera Chorus has become known for its lively and entertaining performances of operettas, musicals, and other light operatic works. The group has performed over 120 different productions, including classics like "The Mikado," "The Merry Widow," and "The Gondoliers." They have also staged lesser-known works by composers such as Victor Herbert, Sigmund Romberg, and Rudolf Friml. One of the highlights of the Ohio Light Opera Chorus's career was their performance at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England in 1997. The group was invited to perform their production of "The Mikado" at the festival, which is the largest gathering of Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts in the world. The Ohio Light Opera Chorus received rave reviews for their performance and was invited back to the festival several times over the years. In addition to their performances in Ohio and England, the Ohio Light Opera Chorus has also toured extensively throughout the United States. They have performed in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and have been featured in numerous festivals and concert series. The Ohio Light Opera Chorus has received many awards and accolades over the years. In 2005, they were awarded the Ohio Governor's Award for the Arts, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts in the state of Ohio. They have also been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and have received numerous grants and awards from other arts organizations. Despite their many accomplishments, the Ohio Light Opera Chorus remains committed to their mission of preserving and promoting the operetta genre. They continue to perform new and classic works, and their performances are always lively, entertaining, and full of energy. The group has become a beloved institution in the world of classical music, and their legacy is sure to endure for many years to come.

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