Syracuse Opera has hidden grandeur in the heart of the city

Opera is typically associated with traditional grandeur and the theatrical arts of yesteryear. An abundance of modern pop culture and entertainment media have clouded the eyes of this generation, leaving opera in the dark. Hidden in the heart of Syracuse lies Syracuse Opera, a theatrical gem in Upstate New York. The company strives to maintain relevance among the ever-changing stream of popularity by captivating audiences of all ages with fresh and engaging productions.

The 2011 bankruptcy of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra affected the opera company greatly, given the interdependency of arts organizations in small-town settings. Syracuse Opera now partners with Symphoria, an orchestra composed of previous members of the symphony, in attempts to revive the organization and build a strong foundation for future performances.

Douglas Kinney Frost, the producing and artistic director of Syracuse Opera, narrates this short documentary as he discusses the daily challenges a large-scale company must endure to thrive year-round. In order to entice growing crowds, the opera rents materials from across the country, hires vocal talents from around the nation and promises big-name shows each season.

This documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the dress rehearsal week of Syracuse Opera’s Die Fledermaus production, a comical German opera by Johann Strauss, in October. Future productions this season include Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and Gioacchino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.