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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About the 2010-2011 Season
About Ticketing
About Visiting the Ellie Caulkins Opera House
About Attending the Opera
About Becoming a Subscriber
About Opera Colorado
About Supporting Opera Colorado
About Education and Community Programs
About The 2010-2011 Season
What operas are you performing this season?
We will be performing Puccini's La Bohème in November 2010, Dvorák's Rusalka in February 2011, and Rossini's Cinderella in April and May 2011.
What are the dates and times for each opera?
All of the dates and times can be found by visiting our Season page.
Is there a way to learn more about the operas you'll be performing?
All performances are preceded by a thirty-minute lecture held in the orchestra section of the house one four before curtain time. The lecture is free to all ticket holders and discusses the history and background of the production. Opera Colorado offers a variety of events prior to and during the season to educate audiences about the season. For more information, please visit our Community Enrichment page.
Can I purchase photos from the production?
Yes. Photos from recent productions can be purchased through our photographer, Matthew Staver. E-mail info@operacolorado.org for details.
About Ticketing
What are season tickets?
Season tickets, or a season subscription, are tickets to each production of the season. By purchasing season tickets, not only do you get to keep the same seats for all performances of the season, but you also receive a substantial discount on ticket prices. Season ticket holders, or subscribers, receive other benefits. To learn more about subscriber benefits and information, please visit our Subscriber page.
Where can I purchase season tickets?
To purchase season tickets and become an Opera Colorado Subscriber, call our Subscriber Services line at 303.468.2030. You can also visit our Subscriber Services page for policies on information on purchasing tickets online.
Where can I purchase single tickets?
Single tickets are available through the Ticketmaster website. You can also purchase tickets at all Ticketmaster online and retail locations, including select Macy’s stores, select FYE stores, Cherry Creek Shopping Center Guest Services Desk, the Official Visitor's Center at 1600 California Street Ste. 6, Angelo’s CD’s & More, and Twist & Shout. Ticket center hours may vary; contact retailer to confirm hours of operation. You can also call Ticketmaster at 800.982.2787. TTY numbers for Ticketmaster are 800.755.6244, 877.474.4833, or 877.475.4833.
What are the Opera Box Office Hours?
The Box Office staff holds hours in the administrative offices of Opera Colorado from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Visit our Contact page for more information on hours, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and our office address.
Are there group discounts available?
Groups of ten or more are eligible for ticket discounts. For more information and to book your group, call the Group Sales office at 303.468.2024 or visit our Group Sales page.
Are there any special ticket discounts available?
To see what current specials are available, please visit the Special Offers page.
What should I do if can't attend the opera on the date I'm supposed to go?
Subscribers are eligible for special benefits, including the ability to exchange their tickets for another performance date. Single ticket holders cannot exchange their tickets, but can donate their tickets back to Opera Colorado for a tax deduction. Visit our Subscriber Ticket Policies page or our Single Ticket Policies page for more information on ticketing policies.
Can I exchange my tickets for a different opera?
No. If you are unable to attend on the date your tickets are for, you can donate your tickets back to Opera Colorado as a tax deduction. For more information on donating your tickets, call the Box Office at 303.468.2030.
How can I exchange my tickets?
You can exchange your tickets once you have received them in the mail. To exchange your tickets, rip the tickets in half and mail or fax them to Opera Colorado. You can mail the tickets to our administrative offices at 695 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 20, Denver, CO, 80246. You can fax the tickets to 303.778.0479.
What if I lose my tickets?
Simply call the Box Office at 303.468.2030 and let them know. They will create a lost ticket voucher that you can pick up at the Box Office at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on the day of the show. If you are in a group, please indicate your seat number.
What if I'm late for a performance?
Latecomers will not be seated until intermission. Closed-circuit TV monitors are available in the lobby to watch the performance while you wait for a late seating break. Please check your tickets for performance time and arrive early to allow extra time for parking.
What if an artist cancels and is replaced by someone else?
Opera Colorado does not offer refunds in the event of an artist replacement or cancellation.
Are last-minute tickets available?
Sometimes tickets are available on the day of show. You can find out whether tickets are available at the Box Office at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Box Office opens one and a half hours prior to curtain and is located just to the right of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, next to the entrance to Kevin Taylor's at the Opera House.
About Visiting the Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Are there tours of the Opera House?
Yes. To tour the Opera House, contact the Denver Performing Arts Complex Tour Office at 720.931.TOUR.
How do I reach Lost and Found?
If you've lost something at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, contact the Division of Theatres and Arenas at 720.865.4220.
What dining options are near the Ellie Caulkins Opera House?
We encourage you to enjoy drinks or dinner before the show at one of the area establishments. Click on the following restaurants for menus and availability. To find more restaurants, visit the Denver Dining Guide. Reservations are strongly recommended for downtown restaurants; for easy reservations, use opentable.com. To see a full list of restaurants, go to our Planning Your Visit page.
What if I require special seating or other assistance?
Please call at least 24 hours prior to the performance. The Ellie Caulkins Opera House is accessible for persons with disabilities. There are also audio-described performances provided at all Sunday matinees. Audio enhanced infrared listening systems are available at all performances. TTY numbers for Ticketmaster: 800.755.6244, 877.474.4833, or 877.475.4833. To learn more, please visit our Accessibility page.
How do I get to the Opera House?
The Ellie Caulkins Opera House is located at the Denver Performing Arts Complex in downtown Denver, at the corner of 14th and Curtis Streets. (It used to be called the Auditorium Theatre and is right next to the Buell Theatre.) For detailed information, please see our section on Planning Your Visit.
Where do I park at the Opera House?
Please allow plenty of time for parking. Shows begin promptly. Check your tickets for show times. If you arrive late, you will be locked out of the show until intermission. The Denver Performing Arts Complex Garage is available for opera patrons but is shared with other performing arts organizations. On days when there are multiple productions at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the parking garage will be very full. The parking garage at the Colorado Convention Center is also available for opera patrons and is linked to the Denver Performing Arts Complex via an uncovered bridge. Visit the Downtown Denver Partnership's website for more information on parking. Please note that the Public Works department of the City of Denver has raised the event parking rate at the DPAC garage to $12.
Is there a map or photos of the Opera House?
To see a detailed seating map of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House as well as photos from different locations in the hall, please visit our Maps page.
About Attending The Opera
What if I don't speak Italian/French/German?
Opera Colorado presents all of their operas in the original language. But you won't miss a single nuance of the story thanks to the new Figaro System. This breakthrough electronic seatback text delivery system displays electronic titles on the backlit monitors permanently fixed at every seat. A simple one-button interface lets you select from English or Spanish or turn the system off if you prefer to enjoy the performance with no subtitles. To date, only two other U.S. opera houses offer this innovative subtitle system...yet another 'first' for Opera Colorado's audiences.
What are good operas for beginners?
Well-known operas and comedies are excellent ways to introduce new people to opera. Classics such as La traviata, Madama Butterfly, La bohème, Carmen and The Barber of Seville are all timeless stories with beautiful music. Opera Colorado often opens the season with a well-known opera in November and usually performs at least one comedy per season. For the current season offerings, visit our Season page.
May I bring children to the opera?
Due to the length and nature of the art form, Opera Colorado recommends that children younger than six not be brought to the opera. Any child attending the opera requires a ticket. No "babes in arms," i.e: every child must be in his or her own seat.
May I take pictures, videotape, or tape-record the performance?
No. The artist and staff contracts stipulate that no unauthorized photos, video or audio recordings be made of the opera.
How should I dress for the opera?
Opera is a grand opportunity to get dressed up! Especially on opening nights, you will often see ladies in evening gowns and gentlemen in tuxedos. We hope you will enjoy your trip to the opera and encourage you to make it a special event. However, Colorado is a much more casual city than others around the country and opera lovers come from all walks of life. And while you may see people dressed formally, we hope you will wear whatever you’re most comfortable in, whether that means your best ball gown or something more relaxed. In general, cocktail dresses and sport jackets are the norm for most performances. Matinees typically call for less formal dress: sport coats for men and a pantsuit or dress for women.
When should I clap?
As a general rule, applause occurs at the end of each act and the end of the performance. In between, when an especially impressive aria (opera solo) ends, the audience might also reward the singer by clapping for a brief time until the action resumes. Feel free to shout “Bravo!” (male performers), “Brava!” (female performers) and “Bravi!” (for an ensemble). Singers love to be appreciated.
How long will the opera last?
Generally you should estimate two and a half to three hours.
Is there an intermission?
Yes. Opera Colorado generally has two intermissions for most three-act operas and a single intermission for two-act operas.
About Becoming a Subscriber
Why should I subscribe to Opera Colorado?
Subscribers receive substantial benefits. Not only do they receive up to a 20% discount over single ticket prices, but subscribers get to keep the same seats, year after year. Subscribers also have the ability to exchange their tickets for another performance of the same opera up to 24 hours beforehand and receive a discount on additional purchases of single tickets.
How do I subscribe to Opera Colorado?
You can purchase a subscription in person, through the mail, online, or over the phone. For more information on how to subscribe, please visit our Subscriptions page.
How much do subscriptions cost?
Subscription prices vary based on location. For a full list of subscription prices, please visit our Subscription Pricing and Seating page.
About Opera Colorado
What is Opera Colorado's mission?
Opera Colorado enriches the quality of life through the presentation of opera performances that inspire our audience, and serves the community through education and cultural programs.
How can I volunteer at Opera Colorado?
Volunteers are a vital part of Opera Colorado and get to see behind the scenes. For information on availability and application, please visit our Volunteer page.
How do I sign up for Opera Colorado's e-mail list?
To receive special discounts and announcements through Opera Colorado's e-mail club, sign up on the E-mail Club page of the website.
How do I join the mailing list?
To receive the Ovation! magazine, brochures and other information about Opera Colorado, call 303.698.2334 or e-mail info@operacolorado.org to be added to the mailing list.
How do I unsubscribe from the mailing list?
If you no longer wish to receive mail from us, call 303.698.2334 or e-mail info@operacolorado.org to be removed from the mailing list.
What are the job opportunities for Opera Colorado?
Job opportunities are posted on our Jobs page.
What shows have you performed in the past?
A complete list of Opera Colorado's past performances can be found by visiting our Past Performances page.
About Supporting Opera Colorado
How do I make a donation?
You can make a donation in person, through the mail, online, or over the phone. For more information on how to subscribe, please visit our Contribute page.
How can my company become involved?
To become a corporate sponsor or to get your company involved in Opera Colorado, visit our Corporate page.
What special events do you have around the operas?
The Season Opening Gala is an Opera Colorado tradition of elegant festivities. For more details, visit our Season Opening Gala page.
Is there a professional group associated with Opera Colorado?
The Opera Colorado Women's Network (OCWN) is an innovative network for women in the greater Denver area supporting the performing arts in a meaningful and vibrant atmosphere. Learn more by visiting our OCWN page.
About Education and Community Programs
What does the Education and Community Programs department do?
This department manages and produces programs that bring opera to audiences all over Colorado and the surrounding states. Our goal is to provide as many people as possible with quality opera experiences in order to keep the art form vibrant and alive.
What types of programs are available?
There are three main types of programs. There are Education Programs that can be brought directly to your school or community organization. There are Education Field Trips to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. There are Community Enrichment Programs targeted toward adults. With a wide variety of programs, our department can find something for learners of all ages! Learn more about these programs by visiting our Education section.
I don't live in Denver. Can I still see an education program?
We travel around the state and surrounding areas to bring opera to the widest possible audience. We typically have regular trips to Boulder and have Northern and Western Slope tours in the spring. You can also contact us to set up a trip to your town. To see where we will be, check dates on our Tour page.
Do you put on free concerts or events?
Throughout the year, we have several concerts and recitals that are free and open to the public. This information can be found on our Public Concerts and Recitals page. There's also the popular Meet the Artists program at Tattered Cover (LoDo) as well as coming events throughout the year. Check out our Education section to see what's coming up.
How can I book an education program?
You can call the Education Department at 303.778.0371, or make reservations online by using our Easy Reservation System.
Who are the Opera Colorado Young Artists?
The Opera Colorado Young Artists are a group of seven professional opera performers who bring opera directly to schools and other community venues throughout Colorado and surrounding states. These performers bring wonderful programs, including our Operas on Tour and Arias & Ensembles program, to thousands of music lovers every year.
Are there scholarships available for schools or community organizations?
No child is ever turned away from an Opera Colorado Education Program because of an inability to pay. Opera Colorado regularly provides scholarships to needy organizations. Download a scholarship application form at our Scholarships page.
What if I don't see a program that covers what I need?
We can create a program that's just right for you. We have a wide variety of In-School Workshops that we bring right to your classroom. We can create a workshop tailored to meet the specific needs of your students. Learn more about this program on our In-School Workshops page.