Electric Opera Company melts faces, busts guts at Hawthorne Theater
By Erica Ellingsen
Since the Electric Opera Company's induction to the Portland music scene in the spring of 2009, this group of University of Portland musicians has witnessed a seemingly snowball-like effect in the improvement of the quality of venues and growing of their fan base.
With humble beginnings of the company performing on various University of Portland stages, ranging from their debut show in Mago Hunt Theater to their epic victory at last year's KDUP battle of the bands, the Electric Opera Company has come a long way in a relatively short period of time.
The bands first performance was a stunning combination of artistic forces. The EOC in conjunction a complete cast of actors and actresses from the Portland Organic Theater Company, both of which are non-profits, worked together to produce their signature interpretation of "The Barber of Seville." Now, the EOC regularly performs with six stylin' guitarist, one bassist, a lovely lady keyboardist, the powerhouse drummer formally known as Tiso Panapa and last, but certainly not least, Danielle Larson, whose vocal prowess would make even surrealist painter René Magritte say, "Now those are some pipes."
For these UP students, the growing success of the Electric Opera Company was most evident by their performance last Wednesday night as the headliners at the Hawthorne Theater, a popular Portland venue that recently held shows for Music Fest Northwest performers.
This momentous show for the Electric Opera Company was impressive in itself due to its location and its significance to its members. However, the performance did not go off without a few, albeit minor, hitches.
Other than some brief issues with a high-pitched ringing sound being emitted during the opening act, it can be said beyond a shadow of a doubt that the EOC has come a long way in terms of their synchronicity and the execution of their craft.
From their first performance to last Wednesday night's show, their sound is much cleaner and the musicians themselves appear more confident in the music they are playing. Not to mention, the energy brought by lead singer, guitarist and EOC creator, recently graduated Bobby Ray, is as inspiring as the music they perform.
As notably legitimate as the theater Hawthorne is, it actually proved to be a drawback in terms of the potential crowd the EOC could have drawn. I was surprised to see the Electric Opera Company's show listed as a 21 and over show. This is particularly odd due to the nature of the Hawthorne's reputation for accommodating its underage patrons.
With a bar in the back of the venue leaving the area in front of the stage for people of all ages, the theater did not have this back area open and instead reserving the entire venue for show goers ages 21 and older. Unfortunately for the EOC, a large portion of their fan-base is comprised of University of Portland students who are not over the age of 21.
Even the younger band members themselves were not allowed to enter the theater until minutes before the show. Aside from the alienation of a large sect of potential show goers and the $8 cover charge, there was a decent though not-too-impressive turnout for the EOC's most illustrious show.
Despite these setbacks, there was no lack of energy or excitement from the performers or their fans. The EOC's newly-released demo and promotional t-shirts were thrown in to the audience throughout the show. And just a hint to you EOC fans and fans-to-be, brush up on your knowledge of the music they perform before attending a show. Answer a question like, "Who composed 'The Barber of Seville'?" with the proper response and you could be a lucky recipient of some sweet EOC merchandise.
It's Rossini, just for your information.
Whether it be the music they play or their grassroots origination from the UP campus, there is no doubt that EOC fans love this band. Senior Zach Virden said, "The EOC seamlessly blends the classics with the 21st century."
And rightly said, the immense task that was transposing classical Italian opera music into mind blowing guitar riffs speaks volumes to the talent of the group's leader Bobby Ray and the artists who accompany him.
It is the mission of the Electric Opera Company to "revitalize the popularity of opera and classical music in a modern, accessible medium."
Bobby Ray's passion for this evolutionary form of classical music is almost as infectious as the music itself. Keep your eyes and ears open for any and all upcoming EOC performances as they are not to be missed.
Experiencing the EOC is something that will you leave with the feeling that you just got to dance your face off to music that has rocked the world for centuries and, now thanks to the Electric Opera Company, possibly many centuries to come.
