+++
author = ["authors/jenna.md"]
categories = "Editorial"
date = 2020-06-21T04:00:00Z
disclaimer = ""
image_gallery = []
postamble = "Readers, where are you getting your online fixes? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch at [hello@schmopera.com](mailto:hello@schmopera.com)."
preamble = "Happy times! This weekend is chock-full of online opera offerings. From trash opera on YouTube to live broadcasts via Chicago, we've got our viewing picks down:"
primary_image = "https://res.cloudinary.com/schmopera/image/upload/v1592763752/media/2020/06/sqWeekendVirtualOpera_ah3omi.jpg"
primary_image_credit = "Clockwise from top: baritone Anthony Moreno in \"Having Guests for Dinner\"; baritone Will Liverman, photographed by Jaclyn Simpson; The Drunken Tenor, photographed by Paul Gibbons."
related_articles = ["articles/the-met-s-at-home-gala.md", "articles/covid.md"]
related_companies = ["scene/companies/seattle-opera.md", "scene/companies/new-opera-west.md"]
related_people = ["scene/people/emily-pogorelc.md", "scene/people/emily-fons-1.md", "scene/people/will-liverman.md"]
short_description = "These concerts are designed to conform to CDC health guidelines, including pre-performance health screenings, partitions separating singers and accompanying musicians, and the wearing of masks where possible."
slug = "from-trash-to-valhalla-whats-on-deck-this-weekend"
title = "From trash to Valhalla: what's on deck this weekend"
youtube_url = ""

+++
## The Drunken Tenor, via Seattle Opera

If you've not had the chance to see tenor Robert McPherson's "tipsy persona" live, you can tune in to catch him from home this weekend. On **June 26, 7pm PDT**, Seattle Opera's virtual opera offerings will feature the premiere online performance of [The Drunken Tenor](https://thedrunkentenor.com/). McPherson is joined by pianist David McDade and soprano Jennifer Bromagen for a program that balances Verdi and Bizet with the comedic joys of Zoom concerts and microphone management.

The event can be streamed on Seattle Opera's [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/SeattleOpera) and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/SeattleOpera) channels, or via their [website](http://seattleopera.org/). If you like what they're putting out, [consider donating](https://www.seattleopera.org/donate/). For a sneak peek, check out the trailer:

<figure data-type="video">{{% md %}}<iframe width="1070" height="602" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ZtuJJ5Aljc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>{{% /md %}}

</figure>

## Valhalla Media Live's debut broadcasts

Brand-new live-streaming platform [Valhalla Media](https://www.valhallamedia.live/) is set to launch with two back-to-back concert events, both broadcast from Chicago's Studebaker Theater. On **June 26, 7:30pm CDT**, [baritone Will Liverman and pianist Paul Sanchez](http://bit.ly/Valhalla-Liverman-Sanchez) offer a live recital of works by African American composers, including a world premiere by [Shawn Okpebholo](http://www.shawnokpebholo.com/). And on **June 27, 8pm CDT**, you can catch a concert performance of [Humperdinck's _Hansel and Gretel_](http://bit.ly/Valhalla-Hansel-Gretel), starring mezzo [Emily Fons](/scene/people/emily-fons/) and soprano [Emily Pogorelc](/scene/people/emily-pogorelc/) in the title roles.

These concerts are designed to conform to CDC health guidelines, including pre-performance health screenings, partitions separating singers and accompanying musicians, and the wearing of masks where possible. This is an exciting step forward in the production of live, high-quality performing arts broadcasts, and hopefully these debut shows will be the start of something big.

Both events are presented live, with a pay-what-you-can-model. The suggested price is $14.99. Registration is required for each event ([Liverman/Sanchez recital](http://bit.ly/Valhalla-Liverman-Sanchez), and [_Hansel and Gretel_](http://bit.ly/Valhalla-Hansel-Gretel)), and advance purchase is available via [Valhalla Media's website](https://www.valhallamedia.live/).

## _Having Guests for Dinner_, a trash micro-opera

Los Angeles-based [New Opera West](/scene/companies/new-opera-west/) is continuing its commitment to commissioning new operas, with its first virtual presentation, _Having Guests for Dinner_. The "trash micro-opera" (we too are baffled and confused by the term!) is by Nicholas Bentz and Robert Feng, and tells the story of a peculiar dinner party with a questionable menu...

The opera premieres on YouTube on **June 27, 5pm PDT**, and stars soprano Janet Szepei Todd as Laura, tenor Edmond Rodriguez as Marcus, and baritone Anthony Moreno as Christoph. _Having Guests for Dinner_ is free to stream, but [you need to RSVP](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/having-guests-for-dinner-virtual-opera-premiere-tickets-106237296614) to grab your link. Curious? Check out the trailer:

<figure data-type="video">{{% md %}}<iframe width="1013" height="570" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n25rjJd3KIU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>{{% /md %}}

</figure>