ROCHESTER, N.Y. — When you think of operas, you probably think of sitting for hours, listening to songs you don’t understand, dressed up in gowns or tuxes. That’s what Timothy Long used to think as well. 

“If you asked me when I was younger would I want to go to the opera, I don’t think I would’ve said yes," said Long. 

As artistic director of the Eastman Opera Theater, Long wants to change those stereotypes and open the experience to new audiences. It starts with the stories on the stage. 

“All our pieces are from the 21st century and they’re all incredibly diverse. It reflects our demographic at Eastman," Long said. 

The first show, "Silent Light," dealt with themes of family and faith. The next show features a jazz score, while another is a modern retelling of the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. And they’re all under two hours.  

“It’s like going to the Little Theater and seeing an experimental movie," said Long. “You can do that for the length of a movie. You don’t have to sit there for two or three hours and find you don’t like it."

Many of these shows are coming straight from stages in New York City to the theaters at Eastman. Performing such a variety of shows gives students invaluable experiences. If you want to see them on stage for yourself, Long says come as you. 

“I go to the opera in jeans, I come as I am," said Long. “You’ll have a fantastic time and you’ll still have time to go out after”. 

In late January, Eastman Opera Theater will present a two-part Winter Voice Festival, featuring “Evidence of Things Not Seen”, a 36-song cycle by Ned Rorem, and “H & G, a great and terrible story."

For more information on shows and tickets visit: esm.rochester.edu/news.