THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for Opera on the River 2023! For our 5th year, again we had the weather we needed to realize the original vision for this grand event, and the evening of music and singing and community was AMAZING!
Special thanks to the City of Stillwater for your warm hospitality! In addition, thank you to ASLIS, who provided ASL interpreters that added such beautiful sign language interpretation for the whole of the concert.
Next, a big thank you to our sponsors and production partners:
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YourClassical MPR
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Sit Investment Associates
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Stillwater Rotary Club
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Water Street Inn
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Valley Bookseller
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Galowitz Olson PLLC
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First State Bank and Trust
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Valley Agencies Insurance
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Royal Credit Union
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That Girl Brie
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Dream Vacations
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Valley Access Channels
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Audio Logic Systems
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Slammhammer Stages
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Tom Prestin at Born Into Royalty
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Kristina Lynn Photography & Design
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Pictures Over Stillwater
It is because of our committed sponsors that Opera on the River is FREE for anyone to attend—and our production partners help the show go off without a hitch. Please show your gratitude and support their businesses in the St. Croix Valley area.
Speaking of our sponsors, don't forget to book your cruise reservation with us and our partners at Dream Vacations for our magical 7-Night Melodies of the Danube Cruise in 2025! Reservation and deposit deadline is this coming December 1st 2023. Join us for this fabulous cruise and musical experience...click the image to learn more!
We are also very thankful to these grant foundations for their generous support for the Opera on the River Festival 2023:
Also, SCVO would not have grown so much over the past few years if it wasn’t for our Board of Directors. Hip hip hooray for each of you! And thank you SO MUCH for all you did for Opera on the River this year, and all you continue to do for SCVO!
And finally, GRAZIE to the Opera on the River 2023 artists and musicians: Mary Feminear, Anne Marie Stanley, Alexander McKissick, and Michael Adams; Andrew Sun and Emily Butzi; Allison Ostrander, Ian Snyder, Susan Janda, Rebecca Arons, Jason Wells, Hannah Peterson, and Karrin Meffert-Nelson; Jennifer Eckes, and Charles "Chico" Rouse, Jr. This year’s Grand Concert was truly GRAND—and we look forward to partnering with you again soon!
That’s a wrap on Opera on the River 2023—and onto planning for Opera on the River 2024!
Here are a few photos of this year's event courtesy of (click an image to see it full screen):
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Announcing Opera on the River 2023!
Saturday, July 29, 2023 - Lowell Park, Stillwater, MN
Grand Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
Opera on the River 2019
Opera on the River 2022
Experience the magic of St. Croix Valley Opera's Opera on the River 2023 Festival, returning to the picturesque banks of the St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater! Join us for a month of festivities, including St. Croix Valley Opera's 3rd Annual Opera on the River Vocal Competition on July 8th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN. The festival culminates with the Opera on the River Grand Concert on July 29th at 7:00 pm in the park as well, a free event open to all! Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets and enjoy an enchanting evening of music, featuring headliners soprano Mary Feminear, mezzo-soprano Anne Marie Stanley, tenor Alex McKissick, and baritone Michael
Adams. With live instrumentalists led by our returning conductor, Andrew Sun from MN Opera, experience an unforgettable journey through beloved opera and musical theater classics, culminating in a breathtaking finale under the sunset sky in Lowell Park on the banks of the beautiful St. Croix River! Don't miss your chance to hum your favorite tunes from the evening in the days and weeks following the festival! For an even more luxurious experience, upgrade to our VIP packages with prime seating, charcuterie boxes by That Girl Brie, and adjacent parking spots. Limited packages available - reserve yours today!
Opera on the River 2023 Headliners:
Soprano
Mezzo-Soprano
Conductor
Tenor
Baritone
Emcee
Opera on the River 2023 Orchestra:
Violin
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
Flute
Clarinet
Don't want to hassle with carrying a lawn chair to the park? Want to be treated like royalty at the Opera on the River 2023 Festival? Then grab your VIP seat now! You'll enjoy the ultimate VIP treatment with prime front and center seating, a delectable charcuterie box from That Girl Brie, and even possible parking right next to the park. This is the exclusive opportunity you've been waiting for to indulge in the best that the festival has to offer. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience - click the adjacent image to make your selections and get your VIP Experience tickets today!
If you’re passing on the VIP experience but still craving a tasty charcuterie board, selection and ordering can be found here: ThatGirlBrie.com
The Opera on the River Vocal Competition on July 8th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN is open to unmanaged singers between the ages of 18 and 34. Full eligibility criteria can be found here. The judging panel for the competition includes UMN Voice Faculty soprano Victoria Vargas, MN Opera Artistic VP Joseph Li, and TBA. Modest cash prizes will be awarded to the singers who place first, second, and third, and there will also be a "People's Choice" candidate selected by the spectators. The top winning singer may also have an opportunity to be recognized in the Opera on the River Grand Concert at the end of the month. The general public is invited to attend all of the vocal competition day, hosted at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater, MN.
According to Obed Floan, SCVO’s Executive Director, "SCVO is very excited to bring the Opera on the River Grand Concert back home after such an isolating couple of years! We’ve worked hard so that our expanded summer festival will enrich the supportive community of the greater St. Croix Valley and help them get to know all the exciting offerings there are throughout the region in the performing arts. Please join us for all the family-friendly festivities we've created around Opera on the River. We can't wait to see you all there!"
Obed Floan
Executive Director
Volunteer Operatunities!
Are you ready to be a part of something truly special? Join us for Opera on the River 2023, a magical festival brought to you by St. Croix Valley Opera. We're looking for passionate volunteers to help us make this event unforgettable.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make a difference. As a volunteer, you'll get to experience the beauty of the St. Croix River while enjoying world-class opera performances.
We provide all the training and resources you need to succeed, so no prior experience is necessary. You can sign up for specific shifts for all events listed at the links below:
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July 29th - Opera on the River 2023 - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A8AF2FA7F8CE9-opera
And if you're interested in pursuing a career in opera, this is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable experience and make connections in the industry.
Join us for Opera on the River 2023 and be a part of something truly special. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get involved!
Brought to you in-part by:
