With venues closed to limit crowd sizes, the pandemic has been hard on the performing arts in Montana. But performers are finding creative ways to reach their audiences.
Michael Sakir, interim artistic director of Intermountain Opera Bozeman, says the pandemic has given the opera the chance to experiment.
"Trying things out and seeing what sticks."
Valentine's Day just may stick.
"Valentine's Day singing telegrams is the perfect intersection of serving the community and song," Sakir says.
Starting Saturday, Feb. 6, through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, romance and love sung live over the phone or video call can be ordered online
"We reached out to 15 of our favorite singers from the past several seasons and asked them to connect with our audiences in Bozeman who know them and love them," Sakir says.
Soprano and Mainstage Guest Singer Linsday Ohse sees this as an opportunity to sing Cole Porter
"While I’m primarily an opera singer and sing more classical operatic selections, I just love a chance to get to sing some of the classic American songbook," Ohse says.
Singing telegrams are one of many forays by Intermountain Opera Bozeman to connect with their audience during the pandemic.
Last October during the Bridger Foothills Fire the opera presented its first commissioned new work, Requiem For A Forest, by Montana composer Erik Funk.
Other musical ventures have been their first holiday caroling program and opera bingo.
Sakir says Valentines Singing Telegrams could be back next year if there is enough interest.
