This spring, the Seattle Opera has been holding a contest to choose the host for a new video project, “Confessions of a First-Time Operagoer.” The contest was launched a few months before the company’s upcoming Ring cycle performances, and is envisioned as a way for young people with limited operagoing experience to become involved with the opera. Applicants must never have previously seen Wagner’s Ring cycle. The winner of the contest will make a documentary this summer about his or her first Ring cycle experience. The company received 49 applications over the past several weeks, which were submitted through Facebook and by mail; there was also a live casting call held on May 15. The five finalists’ audition videos have been posted at Seattle Opera’s website, where visitors viewed them and voted for a favorite. The winner will be announced on June 6, the day the company begins its online pre-sale for single tickets to the Ring cycle performances. Earlier this spring, the Chicago Opera Theater’s “Why Do You Deserve Free Tickets to COT?” YouTube contest allowed people to compete for 2009 COT spring festival tickets by uploading videos with their own answer to the contest question. Four winners in that contest received two COT subscriptions; the cost was underwritten by the company’s board of trustees.
Posted June 5, 2009
