February 7, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE: - Porgy and Bess Opens Friday! - Academy of Music Open House Tour, Saturday, February 10th - Free Recital for Donors of $250 and Above! - Audience Reminders  Porgy and Bess Opens this Friday at the Academy of Music The jewel of American opera makes its triumphant return to the Academy of Music this Friday with the opening of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.  Tickets to this all-star production are selling fast and won't last long!  With one incredible hit after another, from "Summertime" to "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," you won't want to miss this audience favorite. Purchase your Porgy and Bess Tickets Now! Click here to read Porgy and Bess previews in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Tribune, and Philadelphia Weekly. To learn more about Porgy and Bess click here. The Fifth Annual Academy of Music Open House Tour Saturday, February 10th The Opera Company of Philadelphia invites you to a special glimpse behind the footlights of the Academy of Music at the free Open House Tour on Saturday, February 10th, from 2:00 – 5:00pm.  Pick up your guide map in the Main Lobby and explore the grandeur of the Academy as she celebrates her 150th Anniversary.  Visit the costume shop, step into the orchestra pit, and enjoy a singer’s point of view from the onstage set of Porgy and Bess.  This event is free and open to the public and does not require reservations, so bring a friend and explore America's oldest opera house! Click here for more information on the Academy of Music Open House Tour.  Complimentary Recital for Donors If you are an Opera Company donor of $250 or above, you have received an invitation to a free Friends Recital before the Open House on Saturday, February 10th.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hear arias performed by artists from Porgy and Bess. Saturday, February 10, 2007 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Academy of Music, Ballroom [enter on Broad Street] After the recital, stay for the Opera Company’s Fifth Annual Open House Tour. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. (See above for details) R.S.V.P. AND INVITATION ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT.  Please call 215.893.3600, x102 or email donorevents@operaphilly.com  Audience Reminders: As we prepare for PORGY AND BESS, just a few reminders:    - Curtain times are printed on your ticket and are the actual start time of the show.  Friday and Saturday peformances begin at 8pm; Sunday matinees are at 2:30pm; Wednesday begins at 7:30pm.    - The Opera Company has a strict no late seating policy which has been instituted at the request of patrons and for the safety of our performers.  That means that if you arrive once the show begins, you may miss the entire first act.  Please plan your travel and pre-show activities accordingly.    - Subscribers are invited to Opera Overtures, pre-show lectures that begin one hour before curtain time at the theatre.  Present your subscription ticket for admittance and enter on Locust Street.    - New: Show Advisories Online!  All shows at the Opera Company of Philadelphia go on regardless of inclement weather as it is not possible to reschedule, but you can visit www.operaphilly.com and under the News section, check for Show Advisories.  If we know of any road closures or other travel-related concerns, we'll post them there!       VIEW THE 2007-2008 SEASON!  2006-2007 SEASON Directors' Welcome     Info     Cast     Synopsis     Composer     Info     Cast     Synopsis     Composer

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