OPERA COLORADO TAKES ON “THE SHINING”

Opera Colorado is bursting with good news. The nonprofit this week announced expanded seasons for its next two years at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, including productions of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” and Puccini’s “Tosca” for the upcoming 2019-2020 season.

The big attention-getter, however, is Opera Colorado’s production of “The Shining,” adapted from the Stephen King novel of the same name — which itself was inspired by Estes Park’s historic Stanley Hotel. The Colorado premiere of that horror-rooted production, with music from composer Paul Moravec and a libretto from Mark Campbell, won’t come until the 20202021 season, and tickets for it won’t go on sale until next year.

In addition, the company is expanding its 2020-21 season with Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and Bizet’s “Carmen” and crediting all of this programming growth with a double dose of positivity: Its largest subscriber base in a decade — with a string of full houses and sold-out performances — and an anonymous $1 million gift (also its biggest in a decade). The nonprofit organization also said it has extended the contract of music director Ari Pelto through the 2023-24 season. organizers.

Highlights this summer include a visit from noted soprano and alumna Renée Fleming (with the Emerson String Quartet), fully staged productions from the Aspen Opera Center (Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” and Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro”), a jazz tribute to Nat King Cole, Grammy winner Sharon Isbin and too many visiting artists, classics and collaborations to count. Visit aspenmusicfestival.com for times, dates and more details. the 123-year-old City Park institution. Those include the renovation of the former polar bear exhibit into an improved habitat for the Zoo’s two rescued grizzly bears, according to a press statement.

“Over the next few years, we will be updating and improving the exhibits from the west side of Predator Ridge all the way down to the train and carousel,” Vescolani said. “At the same time, the team will be working on executing the Master Plan and garnering the financial support needed to build and maintain these incredible new experiences.” the Colorado Symphony Association ($100,000), but also newer organizations such as Denver Digerati ($15,000, for its Supernova animation festival) and Rainbow Militia ($13,000, for its Zabiti Project).

The foundation this week also announced former Denver Arts & Venues executive director Kent Rice will join the organization’s board, strengthening connections to the city’s arts and culture and political machinery, as longtime trustee Dr. John E. Repine steps down after 17 years.

“Kent’s deep knowledge of Denver’s arts and cultural landscape will certainly be an invaluable asset to the Foundation as we strive to foster a creative, inspiring, and connected community in the Denver region,” said Bonfils-Stanton president Gary Steuer in a press statement.

Since its founding, BonfilsStanton Foundation has distributed more than $70 million in charitable contributions.