Contemporary Opera of Los Angeles is a new company in Los Angeles that is adding a twist to opera. We hack out the pretension, present it in English and perform it in contemporary times. We have an exciting show that is getting rave reviews from Colorado to Hollywood to Hawaii called DIVA! The funny sexy sultry ~secret~ world of a diva featuring Susan Asbjornson (susanasbjornson.com) and pianist Bill Protzmann (billprotzmann.com). DIVA! is completely different -- it's funny, sexy, exciting, and high energy. Ms. Asbjornson sings a variety of the world's absolutely best arias with lots of surprises and Bill accompanies her and humors the audience as she prepares for her next number. They even do a little tribute to Carol Burnett, who is one of Ms. Asbjornson's comedic idols. They have performed DIVA! to packed houses because it is very different and fresh and takes everyone by surprise - including the staunch sophisticated opera lover and especially those who thought they didn't like opera. This ain't your great-granddaddy's opera -- a must see sexy and sultry presentation of the very best arias of the last few hundred years (or so.) It's the BEST way to see and hear opera for the first time. |
| May 20 Skye At Night in Idyllwild, CA June 23-25 Jones Theatre in Westcliffe, CO February 8 Kauai, HI August 29 Western Arts Alliance, Los Angeles, CA 7pm November 2 Laguna Beach, CA April 26, 2008, Pasadena, CA |
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| DIVA! is not like any other show out there because it's not only entertaining, it's both good for you and bad for you. (What?) DIVA! has it all from Classical (good for you) to a tiny bit of Rock 'n Roll (baaaaaaaaaaad for you) and everything in between plus it stars the very funny Susan Asbjornson and the super fabulously talented Bill Protzmann with a few surprise guests. Ms. Asbjornson has modeled, sung in musical theater, danced, and performed around the world in rock bands and opera, and she's acted in films, commercials and plays, and also composes musicals and operas. Mr. Protzmann is a dynamic performer, pianist, and speaker, and he also composes and has dazzled audiences everywhere with his CDs and his one-man touring show For the Love of Music. |
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| No one else is doing a show like this and the audience reactions are fantastic: "I was drug there by my wife cursing and complaining all the way to the theater, but I loved it and laughed the whole time!" "I was brought here not knowing anything about the evening and when I heard that there might be opera, I thought that I would fall asleep in the first 5 minutes. I was blown away! It was exciting! The singer is very talented and FUNNY! I didn't know opera could be like this!" "Her passion is exactly what's missing in the world of opera today -no wonder no one likes opera! I loved her connection with the audience! Very funny." "Bill's warmth and charm add so much to the duo. It was a great evening. I didn't know that I liked opera!" |
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