Bob's Press Release

Secrets Revealed:

Opera Bob Opens His Drawers

These tabloid-worthy scenes from operatic potboilers are guaranteed to satisfy theatergoers, opera virgins, and fussy opera queens alike. The seldom-heard music is by Mozart, Puccini and Verdi with a running commentary by Opera Bob's own resident composer, Dr. Phil Fried. (Who IS Bob anyway?)

Director: Will Graham
Music Direction by: Eric McEnaney
Producer: Janet Fried

Singers: Anna Brandsoy, Tricia Van Ee, Chandler Molbert, Tara Laberge, Angie Keeton, Obed Floan, Maggie Lofboom

Extraordinary Singers Debut Together in Opera Bob at Minnesota's Fringe Festival.

A newborn in Minnesota's artistic realm, Opera Bob will make its debut during the popular [Minnesota] Fringe Festival in August. Founded in 2008 by well-seasoned opera professionals Will Graham, artistic director and Janet Gottschall Fried, general manager, Opera Bob will present seldom-performed opera scenes sung by emerging professionals. Emphasizing opera's core values of music, voice and character, the Fringe production provides talented singers opportunities for growth and experience, and gives audiences opportunities to hear exciting repertoire and voices. "There are extremely talented young singers in the Twin Cities, with limited opportunities for opera productions," said Graham. "Janet and I want to showcase these singers, giving home audiences a chance to hear them before they are snatched up by major companies elsewhere."

Graham recently returned to Minnesota after years working with the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the North Carolina School of the Arts, as Artistic Director of the National Opera Company, and as Chairman of the Opera Department and Director of the Opera Institute at Boston University School for the Arts. Graham has directed for Minnesota Opera, Opera New England, Opera South, Western Opera Theatre, National Opera Company, Kansas City Lyric Opera and the Lyric Opera of Cleveland. Soprano and teacher, Gottschall Fried has trained several of the Opera Bob singers in her studio over the past ten years. Opera Bob's music director is Eric McEnaney.

Opera Bob can be heard in five performances during the [Minnesota]Fringe Festival at Rarig Theatre, Thrust Stage (330 21^st Avenue South, Minneapolis. Information and advance tickets can be found at www.fringefestival.org or by calling (866)-811-4111. August 1, 8:30 p.m.; August 2, 10 p.m.; August 3, 7 p.m.; August 5, 7 p.m.; and, August 8, 1 p.m.