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Rimrock's 'Girl' packs a pistol

Amid all the whiskey-swilling, poker-playing, gun-firing excitement in Rimrock Opera Company's newest production is Minnie, "The Girl of the Golden West."

She's the mother you wish you had, the lover you never had and the biggest-hearted friend you'd be lucky to have.

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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/26/news/local/45-pistol.txt

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ROC makes leap with set design

A 24-inch cast iron fry pan propped open the alley door of the Alberta Bair Theater earlier this week, signifying that perhaps the new Rimrock Opera Company production would be a bit different.

Inside, set designer Jean Francois Revon was putting the final touches to the complex set for "The Girl of the Golden West," ingeniously built so that it can be used for the spring production of "Elixir of Love."  Set Photos

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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/26/entertainment/enjoy/37-roc.txt

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Letter: Local arts support speaks well of community

Within days of my arrival in Billings as a guest artist with Rimrock Opera, I saw quickly how so many have shown support for this company and their upcoming season. From posters, postcards, a Gazette photo shoot, even seeing a TV commercial about the opera company, I was immediately impressed by the support this community has shown its native company. It didn't seem a seasonal fad either - i.e. because a show was up and coming. When I leafed through my welcome packet, I discovered a "Welcome to Billings" brochure created by the city for this year's visitors. Not only was the opera mentioned, but it was highlighted with a full page. To their credit, other arts organizations were given space as well, but this only points out how highly the performing arts are regarded in this corner of "Big Sky Country."

It should also not go without saying that the donations and in-kind gifts of regular businesses and good people here have spurred on ...

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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/22/opinion/letters/26-arts.txt

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Letter: "Golden West' opera is not to be missed

"Magic City!" This is beginning to make sense to me! My husband, Randy, and our two children, Sam and Tessa, moved to Billings from Kalispell last spring. Although the adjustment has not always been easy, the exciting opportunities here make this a great place for us.

Tessa along with three other young choir singers were asked to be a part of the Rimrock Opera's "Girl of the Golden West" opera. Thinking, of course, that this was an amateur production, especially since our 12-year-old will sing in it, we were thrilled that Billings would take on such an undertaking. Last night I attended a rehearsal, only to discover that this a truly professional production with amazing talent from all over the country, including Billings. The voices are nothing like I have ever heard before!

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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/23/opinion/letters/60-opera.txt

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After 4 decades, cellist Critelli returns to 'Golden West' for ROC performance

It's been more than four decades since Billings cellist Carol Critelli performed in "The Girl of the Golden West," but she'll never forget the plot-changing trickle of blood during one scene.

A young faculty member with the University of Montana (then called Montana State University), Critelli toured with the rest of the cast around the state to perform Puccini's opera. She said the music felt new to her when she started rehearsing it this time around because it had been so many years since she performed it. But she never forgot the drama and the blood.

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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/19/entertainment/enjoy/22-mariachi.txt

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Miles City teen has long journey to Billings stage

Every Saturday, 18-year-old Christina Pezzarossi makes the trek from Miles City to Billings to sing.

A member of the Rimrock Opera Chorus for Kids, Pezzarossi drives 140 miles each way every week, sometimes with her parents, sometimes alone.

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http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/10/20/features/tempo/20-sing.txt

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Cultural, arts entities team for WestFest

Golden WestFest: Billings Cultural Partners celebrates Western influence on arts and culture showcasing Billings' cultural community and rich Western heritage. Golden WestFest is a monthlong series of activities taking place Oct. 1-30, at various venues throughout Billings. The festival combines the presentation, performance and exhibit qualities of the 23 Cultural Partner members in a series of Western-themed cultural arts performances and exhibits and history-related exhibits and activities.Key presenting partners to date include the Yellowstone Art Museum, Western Heritage Center, Billings Symphony Orchestra, Rimrock Opera Company, YMCA Writer's Voice, Parmly Billings Library, MSU-Billings, Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Public Radio, MetraPark and Yellowstone Chamber Players.

Story:

'Girl of the Golden West' took opera to new frontiers

Once you get past the irony of seeing a Western opera with gunslingers and poker games sung in Italian, "Girl of the Golden West" is a mighty force in the opera world.

In fact, Giacomo Puccini considered it his finest work. "The Girl of the Golden West" debuted in 1910 in New York City and was last staged in Billings in 1964 as part of the state's centennial festivities. The University of Montana (then Montana State) production toured Montana, stopping for shows in Miles City, Butte and Anaconda, among other towns.

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