One Ounce Opera

Austin-based One Ounce Opera to Launch Aug. 23

Live Music Capital’s Newest Artistic Company Aims to Put Opera Where You Least Expect It

One Ounce Opera, a new artistic company aiming to inject a bit of opera to local music scene, announced it will launch this Thursday at Red 7, popular east 7th Street bar.

“A local bar is exactly the kind of place you wouldn’t expect to find us, and that’s why we wanted it,” said One Ounce Opera founder Julie Fiore. “If we want opera to be a part of the live music scene, we’ve got to bring our opera where the live music is.”

Fiore and the dynamic ensemble of singers involved in OOO believe Austinites could use a small dose – just “one ounce” – of opera. “A few ounces of adult beverages during and after performances don’t hurt, either,” she jokes.

Fiore assembled the group of “singing-artists” after holding local auditions in April. She said she selected people who committed to strong and fearless performances.

“You will immediately sense each singer's love for what they do and what they have trained tirelessly for. Our company members have performed in leading and supporting roles at San Diego Opera, Carnegie Hall, Washington Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Amarillo Opera, Opera Fayetteville, Opera in the Heights, and many others,” Fiore added.

The group felt a palpable audience reaction at Leslie Fest, where they debuted in late June. Fiore believes that’s because Austin is ripe for innovation, and her group hopes to encourage a new generation of opera lovers through non-traditional venue and program choices.

As Fiore is fond of saying, “Opera is not obsolete.  Popular opinion of opera is.”

The OOO Grand Launch Party will take place on Thursday, August 23 at Red 7, located at 611 E. 7^th Street at 9:00pm. For more information, contact Fiore or visit the OOO web site at www.oneounceopera.com.

One Ounce Opera aims to provide a come-and-go, laid back interactive atmosphere to experience a virtuosic sonic event up close and in small, powerful doses – just “one ounce” of opera. OOO was founded by Austinite Julie Fiore in April 2012 and will officially launch in August 2012. For more information, visit www.oneounceopera.com