Rockford Operetta Party

10/10/2025

A four-page history of Rockford Operetta Party is included in the new "Rockford Anthology", edited by Rachel Leon. When the launch happens later this month, one can get the volume of Rockford stories at Maze Books. Don't know how much it costs, though. But your purchase there can support a local bookstore and local authors. All proceeds are going to the Rockford Area Arts Council.

And it has given me an idea for the 20th anniversary, which occurs next year. 🤔

05/22/2024

Word has reached us that Ronald Weber has died. Pictured here during a rehearsal for HMS Pinafore (2014). Weber joined the Party in the summer of 2013 for the ill-fated Rockford Pridefest. Later, he was in the Edward German R***e as a featured soloist, and Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore. He also participated in the first two G&S Nativity programmes, the May 1st production 2015, and had a cameo role in 2016's "Trial by Jury" as the Foreman, and also appeared as Pooh-Bah in the "Mikado" selections in the same bill. His last performance was in the TACO in November 2016.

Weber was one of the worst performers we had during the "Rebirth" period, owing almost entirely to a lack of effective practice and preparation for his assigned parts. But he provided a full choral sound in ensembles and a number of talented performers from his Bach Chamber Choir and other musical contacts joined us because of his involvement. When he *was* prepared for shows, he displayed a solid tenor voice and a long performing career both in America and Europe was evident in his singing.

06/05/2022

Hey, long time without a post. Makes sense since the Party is over. Director Scott Farrell here.
I'm looking at getting our performance of "The Chocolate Soldier" digitized so it can be on the website, on CD, and in audio files. I am thankful that my traumatized brain at the time remembered to turn on the audio recording equipment to make a cassette recording of the performance (but it failed to remember how to turn on the video camera, so we have almost no footage of the performance).

My point is this: we had a mostly good performance, and I wonder if anyone would be interested in having a copy? Free to participants, available for purchase to others. I don't anticipate much demand for it, but a number would give me an idea what the response can be like. Comment and let us know!

12/01/2021

08/26/2021

Our 2010 performance of "Cox and Box" is finally available on YouTube!

Rockford Operetta Party performs "Cox and Box" by F.C. Burnand and Arthur Sullivan. Recorded live on November 5 2010 at First Presbyterian Church of Winnebag...

08/22/2021

A few clips from our 2018 performance of "The Chocolate Soldier". After three years, we finally have a visual record of the production!

03/09/2021

What is "Lindarella's List" but "Not So Good as La Traviata" perservering?

Okay, I take offense at that! LOL

02/26/2021

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Mr George Harnish. He was a force for artistic expression in the Rockford area for over 40 years, starting the CAPA program at Auburn High School, and working on a variety of non-theatre projects as well, including snow sculptures.

Harnish assisted the company behind the scenes from the very beginning when we were the Royal English Opera Company, and in our first production, "The Princess' Lament" (August 1999), he provided costuming and props. Later on, he helped us secure performers for "Mirette" (2011), and directed our "HMS Pinafore" in 2014. As his health declined, he became less active but that didn't stop him from appearing as our emcee for the 10th anniversary (TACO, 2016). Harnish also attended the revival of "Lindarella's List" in 2019.

Thanks for all that you did for us, Mr Harnish. We will never forget you or what you did for us.

11/19/2020

Today (Nov 19th) is the fourth anniversary of our TACO performance! Here's an advertisement that was discarded. We clearly didn't know where to go with it, so it wasn't used, but people "in the know" might get a chuckle out of it.

10/01/2020

That debate was the worst
live event we've seen,
and WE produced
"Not So Good as La Traviata".

08/03/2020

Another one of our beloved hits, "Goodbye Broadway, Hello France!", as performed at the 10th anniversary (TACO).

07/26/2020

One of the most beloved songs in our 2014 autumn programme was "Bohemia". This video features that song from the tenth anniversary performance, "TACO", on November 19 2016. Sung by Sara Lemen and the Chorus, piano by Eric Dean.