Opera UTEP (Opera Workshop)

*We encourage you to buy tickets in advance in person at any UTEP Ticket Center (see this link for locations: https://www.utep.edu/utep-ticket-center/ ). You can also buy tickets online through TicketMaster which is convenient but you will be charged an additional fee. You may purchase tickets at the door and we suggest you arrive early if you choose that option. 

• Thursday, September 28, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
• Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall
  • Tickets*
    $10 adults
    $8 seniors, military, students
    FREE for UTEP students, faculty and staff, and children 12 and undernder.

• Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, October 29, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.
• Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall
  • Tickets*
    $10 adults
    $8 seniors, military, students
    FREE for UTEP students, faculty and staff, and children 12 and under

*We encourage you to buy tickets in advance in person at any UTEP Ticket Center (see this link for locations: https://www.utep.edu/utep-ticket-center/ ). You can also buy tickets online through TicketMaster which is convenient but you will be charged an additional fee. You may purchase tickets at the door and suggest you arrive early if you choose that option. 

An Evening of Songs and Arias - The students of Opera Workshop will perform a recital of songs and arias with Dr. Esequiel Meza (piano) to conclude the semester. All are welcome, and admission is free. 

• Thursday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
• First Baptist Church (Chapel)

World Premiere

THE FOX AND THE COOKIE

This semester, Opera UTEP will present the world premiere of an opera for young audiences with words and music by Maria Thompson Corley. THE FOX AND THE COOKIE is a 30-minute work based loosely on Aesop's Fables. It addresses themes of bullying, forgiveness, understanding, kindness, and personal growth. In addition to our 2 public performances in Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, Opera UTEP student singers will have several performances for area young people, at UTEP and beyond. 

This project is made possible with support from the UTEP College of Liberal Arts Deans' Office, The Center for Community Engagement, Women's and Gender Studies, African American Studies, the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Department of Art, UTEP Children's Choir, the Aaron and Sylvia Wechter Family Excellence Fund, and the Department of Music.

WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMANCES

• Monday, March 27, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. featuring a reception with the cast and composer
• Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. featuring a talkback with the composer
• Location: Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall

• $15 general admission
• $10 military, seniors, students, and UTEP alumni
• Free for children 12 and under and UTEP faculty, students, and staff 

Related Events

Virtual Discussion: "Entrepreneurship through the Arts" 

Representatives from The Black El Paso Voice, UTEP’s African American Studies Program, and Opera UTEP will talk with our guest composer, Maria Thompson Corley, about building a career in the arts. Panelists include UTEP Dance and African American Studies professor, Dr. Tawanda Chabikwa, Director of Opera, Cherry Duke, and EPISD administrator and EPSO musician Adria Dunn-Harris. The moderator is Shonique Tornes.

Monday, February 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Art Showcase Opening Reception

A celebration bridging the Black History Month art showcase with the Women's History Month art showcase. Featuring Opera UTEP singers in performances of songs and scenes by Black female composers.

March 6, 2023, 6 pm
UTEP Union Gallery, 2^nd Floor
Free and open to the public

The Multicultural Impact of Aesop’s Fables

History and African American Studies professor Dr. Selfa Chew-Melendez leads an exploration on how Aesop's fables have impacted the ethical teachings of Mexican, Jewish, Middle Eastern, and other cultures. Featuring Opera UTEP students performing excerpts from THE FOX & THE COOKIE. Panelists include: Dr. Larry Lesser (Math), Alireza Vaziri (Graphic Design), Cristina Morales (Sociology). 

March 21, 2023, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall
Free and open to the public

Meet the Composer

Bring your lunch and your questions for a casual chat with pianist, composer, and writer, Dr. Maria Thompson Corley.

Monday, March 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
UTEP Fox Fine Arts Center, M340 (Choir Room)
Free and open to the public

Lunch and Learn: “Black Female Voices and Social Movement”

Head of Women and Gender Studies Dr. Hilda Ontiveros leads a discussion, following a performance of “I Am Not an Angry Black Woman,” words and music by Dr. Corley, performed by UTEP music major Abeni Merriweather. Light lunch is provided by the Women and Gender Studies Program.

Tuesday, March 28, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
UTEP Student Union West, 2nd Floor (common area)
Free and open to the public

The Opera Workshop class meets 6 hours a week in the fall and spring semesters. There are no prerequisites for the course but prior performance experience and the ability to independently learn assigned music are helpful. Enrollment must be approved by the director. Qualified students from any major are encouraged to join the class. Auditions are scheduled as needed. 

Opera Workshop may fulfill undergraduate (MUSA 2253) or graduate ensemble credit (MUSA 5101, CRN 11998). Two semesters are required for undergraduate vocal performance majors, though the course is open to all qualified singers, and many choose to take the course multiple times.