Nickel City Opera

The Nickel City Opera (known as NC Opera Buffalo and NCO) is an American opera company based in Buffalo, New York and is today one of the leading operas in the USA. Founded in 2004 by Valerian Ruminski, the professional opera company has commissioned operas, and has staged world premieres of notable works. The NCO collaborates with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, producing a wide range of works, from 18th-century Baroque and 19th-century Bel canto to the Minimalism of the 20th century and to contemporary operas of the 20th and 21st centuries. These operas are presented in staged productions that range in style from those with elaborate traditional decors to others that feature modern conceptual designs.

Shea's Performing Arts Center, venue of the Nickel City Opera

The NCO is based at the 3,300-seat Shea's Performing Arts Center in the Buffalo Theatre District of downtown Buffalo.[1] The NCO also performs at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, at the Nichols Flickinger Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, at the Artpark Mainstage Theatre and the Artpark Amphitheatre at the Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park located on the Niagara Gorge in Lewiston.

History

The NCO was founded in 2004, and produced Rossini's The Barber of Seville, its first opera in June 2009 at the Riviera Theatre. The following year, 2010, saw a production of Rigoletto.[2]

The NCO has today a repertoire of more than 25 operas, including Il trovatore,[3] La Bohème,[4] Don Pasquale,[5][6] La fille du régiment, Rigoletto,[7] Tosca,[8] Il tabarro,[9] Der Schauspieldirektor,[10][11] Le Nozze di Figaro,[12][13] La Traviata,[14] The Barber of Seville,[15] and The Music Shop by Richard Wargo.[16] Singers such as Adam Klein (tenor),[17] Victoria Livengood,[18] Eduardo Villa,[19] Ray Chenez,[20][21] James Wright,[22] John Packard,[23] Zulimar López-Hernández,[24][25] Marc Freiman,[26][27] Michele Capalbo,[28] Eric Fenell,[29] David MacAdam[30] and Marieterese Magisano[31] have performed in NCO's productions.[32]

In 2010 the NCO presented Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Riviera Theatre, and repeated it for four more years at the Riviera Theatre and in the Westminster Presbyterian Church (Buffalo, New York).[33]

In 2011 the NCO presented a production of Il tabarro on board a decommissioned ship (USS The Sullivans (DD-537)), docked at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.[34] In 2017, in his debut as music director, Matthias Manasi introduced Buffalo audiences to historically informed performance practice in his production of Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor.[35]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCO was unable to produce opera at Shea's Performing Arts Center as of March 2020. A production of Aida planned for August 7 to 29, 2021 at Artpark at Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.[36]

In June 2023 the NCO reprised its inaugural production of The Barber of Seville at Nichols Flickinger Performing Arts Center and traveled to Gowanda, NY to present it at the newly restored, historic Hollywood Theater.

International stage directors at the NCO include David Grabarkewitz, who directed New York City Opera's Emmy Award-winning production of Madama Butterfly for Public Broadcasting System (PBS) in 2008 and Marc Verzatt, awarded Outstanding Stage Director of 2006 by 'Classical Singer' magazine.[37][38]

Opera America Service Award

In May 2017 Opera America awarded the NCO and Valerian Ruminski, artistic director of the NCO its annual Service Award which recognizes those who "promote opera in their communities and work tirelessly to ensure the highest possible artistic quality and community service."[39] In the ceremony held in Dallas, Marc A. Scorca, president and CEO of Opera America said, "On behalf of the staff and membership of Opera America, please accept my congratulations and thank you for your exceptional contribution to the field of opera."

World and U.S. premieres

In June 2016, the NCO produced the world premiere of SHOT! composed by Persis Vehar with libretto by Gabrielle Vehar, about the assassination of President McKinley, produced at Shea's Performing Arts Center,[40] with Michael Ching, conductor and David Grabarkewitz, stage director.[41] The role of President William McKinley was sung by Valerian Ruminski, the role of Ida McKinley was sung by Marieterese Magisano with John Packard as Leon Czolgosz, Michele Capalbo as Emma Goldman and Fred Furnari as Buffalo Police Superintendent Bull and a chorus of 40 singers with musicians of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.[42] The sets re-created scenes from the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, with 40-foot projections of original 1901 Edison footage of the exposition, and rare historic photos.[43]

In June 2021, the NCO collaborated with Sotto Voce Vocal Collective to present the world premiere of the opera The Second Sight by Jessie Downs, fully staged in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.[44][45]

Directors

Music directors

Michael Ching was music director and principal conductor of the NCO from 2012 to 2017. He was succeeded by Matthias Manasi as music director and principal conductor of the NCO from 2017 to 2021.[46][47] The NCO has also had famed guest conductors who are not listed here.

  • Michael Ching (music director 2012–2017)
  • Matthias Manasi (music director 2017–2021)

Stage directors

Stage directors of opera productions at the NCO include internationally known stage directors such as David Grabarkewitz, who directed the New York City Opera's production of Madama Butterfly for PBS which won an Emmy award in 2008.[48][49] The stage director Marc Verzatt, who was awarded as the Outstanding Stage Director of the Year in 2006 by Classical Singer Magazine also directed opera productions at the NCO.[50][51]

Venues

The NCO's main productions are staged at its main venue, the 3,300-seat Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo. Other venues include the 1,140-seat Riviera Theatre (North Tonawanda, New York), the 2,400-seat Artpark Mainstage Theatre and the 4,400-seat Artpark Amphitheatre at the Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park in Lewiston, New York and the 460-seat Nichols Flickinger Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

References
  1. Frank Parlato (June 6, 2016). "Shot! Nickel City Opera Lays Its Future On The Line With Premiere Of New Opera About The History Of Buffalo". Artvoice. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  2. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 24, 2013). "NCO on a - What else? - 5-year winning streak". The Buffalo News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  3. Jan Jezioro (June 15, 2011). "Il Trovatore at The Riviera Theatre - NC Opera Buffalo launches its third season with big plans". Artvoice. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  4. Mary Kunz Goldman (July 2, 2012). "With all the right touches, N C Opera does justice to La Bohème". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  5. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2013). "Nickel City Opera's 'Don Pasquale' is a rare treat". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  6. Bob P (July 29, 2013). "NCO's 'Don Pasquale' at the Riviera". Tripadvisor. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  7. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2010). "Magnificent Rigoletto proves NC Opera is for real". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  8. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2014). "NC Opera Buffalo gives depth to dark masterpiece". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  9. Mary Kunz Goldman (July 3, 2011). "Setting enhances sultry drama of 'Il tabarro'; Brilliant NC Opera Buffalo cast stages Puccini's steamy opera". The Buffalo News. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  10. Buffalorising (May 26, 2017). "W. A. Mozart - The Impresario". Buffalorising. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  11. WNY News (June 1, 2017). "Matthias Manasi-The Impresario by W.A. Mozart". The Am-Pol Eagle. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  12. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 27, 2015). "NC Opera Buffalo's The Marriage of Figaro is a magical mix". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  13. Eileen Buckley (June 25, 2015). "NCO: The Marriage of Figaro". WBFO. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  14. Michael Rabice (February 5, 2019). "La Traviata at NCO Buffalo". Broadway World. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  15. Frank Housh (July 23, 2023). "The Nickel City Opera Triumphs With A Slapstick Romp Through Rossini's Classic Opera Buffa". Breakingdownthelaw. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  16. The Public Stuff (November 8, 2017). "N C Opera Buffalo-The Music Shop". Daily Public. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
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  25. Minnesota Opera (February 2, 2023). "Minnesota Opera - Biography Zulimar López-Hernández". Retrieved February 17, 2023.
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  34. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 24, 2013). "NCO on a - What else? - 5-year winning streak". The Buffalo News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  35. Aryeh Oron (April 28, 2022). "Matthias Manasi (Conductor, Piano)". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  36. Aryeh Oron (August 21, 2022). "Matthias Manasi (Conductor, Pianist)". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
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  42. Mary Kunz Goldman (June 11, 2016). "President McKinley is a hearty character in opera premiere". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
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  44. Frank HoushJun (June 28, 2021). "Sotto Voce Vocal Collective's The Second Sight - A new opera with spectacular performances". Buffalo Spree Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  45. Florida Department of State (September 19, 2019). "Culture builds Florida - Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs". Florida Department of State. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  46. Features (June 18, 2021). "Manasi to leave the NCO". The Am-Pol Eagle. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
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  50. Am-Pol Eagle (June 28, 2014). "NC Operas's Tosca is this weekend in N. Tonawanda". Am-Pol Eagle. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
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