Are You Ready for Some Opera? Former NFL Player Shows Off Singing Athleticism at Opera in the Heights

HOUSTON (January 21, 2007) – Former NFL Cleveland Brown and Baltimore Raven pro football player, Ta’u Pupu’a, will demonstrate his operatic talents and athleticism in Opera in the Heights’ 2007-2008 season performances of Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur and Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca.

Opera is the medium that puts it all together in terms of acting, singing, stagecraft and performance. Today’s artists are some of the most amazing athletes around. It is no wonder opera is enjoying an explosion of popularity in our country. According to an article in The American, opera attracts as many Americans to live performances as the National Football League does to its games.

And it is not only the booming numbers of the audience that ties opera to the NFL, opera is also attracting NFL athletes to the craft. One such former NFL player who has turned to a career in opera is former Cleveland Brown and Baltimore Raven pro football player, Ta’u Pupu’a.

Pupu’a will demonstrate his operatic talents and athleticism in Opera in the Heights’ 2007-2008 season performances of Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur and Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca.

“Ta’u is truly an opera star on the rise,” said Maestro William M. Weibel, Artistic Director for Opera in the Heights. “This young man is not just another ordinary singer. He is a major talent and we are fortunate to have him here at Opera in the Heights for our upcoming productions.”

Exciting young lyric tenor Pupu’a was born in the South Pacific's Polynesia. At the age of two he came with his family to Salt Lake City, Utah. Growing up, his two passions were football and music. He attended Weber State University on a football scholarship while pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree, during which time he was "discovered" by Bill Belichick and drafted to the NFL to the Cleveland Browns and on to the Baltimore Ravens. After sustaining an injury playing for the NFL, he changed career direction to follow his first passion – opera.

“While playing football, music always remained on my mind, and I would go to church to express myself through my music by singing solos. I always knew deep down that I had this other “true” calling, said Pupu’a.

“Color, phrasing, technique and musicality are what I would love to own. Art is not easy to create or attain. I look forward to the learning experiences I will receive while rehearsing and performing with Opera In The Heights. Great opportunities such as this help me hone my talents and become closer to achieving my goal of sharing my voice with the world.“

Pupu’a will perform in the role of Maurizio in half of Opera in the Heights’ performances of Adriana Lecouvreur. Opera in the Heights will present Adriana Lecouvreur at 7:30 pm on January 24, 25, 26, 31, and February 1, 2, 2008. Pupu’a will also perform in the role of Cavaradossi Maurizio in half of Opera in the Heights’ performances of Tosca. Opera in the Heights will present performances of Tosca at 7:30 pm, March 27, 28, 29, and April 3, 4, 5, 2008.

All Opera in the Heights performances are held at the historic Lambert Hall at 1703 Heights Boulevard in Houston, Texas.

Individual ticket prices range from $31 to $45. Season tickets are also available. To purchase tickets contact the box office at 713-861-5303.

For more information about Opera in the Heights visit www.operaintheheights.org.