About Opera on The Bluff

Mission

The mission of Opera on The Bluff at University of Portland is to create a bridge for exceptional young artists between university training and a professional career. We provide fellowships for resident artists to participate in advanced training through the production of a main-stage operatic experience at University of Portland.  In doing so, we align ourselves with the broader educational mission of the University of Portland and connect our music department to the larger world of music education in the United States and abroad.

Opera on The Bluff focuses on the light opera/lyric theater repertoire with an emphasis on the repertoire of Gilbert and Sullivan. We produce fully orchestrated and staged shows throughout the month of June in the Mago Hunt Theater on the University of Portland campus. We provide room and partial board, master classes, voice lessons, and workshops to enhance the career potential of our resident artists as well as highlighting their talent in recitals throughout the greater Portland community.

History

Roger O. Doyle started Mock’s Crest Productions at UP 1990 in order to provide students the opportunity to be in a fully-staged and costumed opera with orchestra. Gradually, the company began to cast local professionals in lead and chorus roles under the artistic directorship of Larry Larsen.

Mock’s Crest Productions has now become Opera on The Bluff at University of Portland. The name creates more of a connection to the University of Portland, which sits on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River and downtown Portland. Today, the company focuses on hiring artists in the early stages of their careers from throughout the United States and abroad, carrying on Roger Doyle’s vision of providing emerging artists main-stage experience.