Washington National Opera (WNO) has joined the Twitter craze, becoming the first in a long list of opera houses to contribute prizes to the international "#operaplot" contest. The contest takes place exclusively via Twitter, April 27 to March 3, challenging entrants to "tweet" an opera plot. WNO will offer the winner a package that includes two tickets to the season-closing performance of Puccini's Turandot on June 4 and two tickets to Opera Ball at the German Embassy on June 5.
Classical music blogger Miss Mussel of The Omniscient Mussel started the contest, dubbed "#operaplot," in late March as a fun challenge her fellow opera fans to summarize their favorite opera in 140 characters or less. Why 140 characters? Because that's the length of a tweet, or a frequently updated personal status on a Twitter page.
The first round of the contest was an unexpected viral success, drawing hundreds of entries and piquing the interest of cultural critics around the world, including The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and The Guardian. The winning tweet described the opera La Bohème: "Seamstress pals around with bohemians in a December-May affair. Receives muff as parting gift." Due to its immense popularity, Miss Mussel now brings the contest back for round two, this time with more exposure, prizes donated by more than 20 opera companies around the globe, and even a celebrity judge: Australian superstar soprano Danielle De Niese.
The tiny synopses will be judged based on "wittiness and interestingness," and winners will be able to choose their prize from the pool of participating opera houses. The rules of the contest are simple: 1.) Summarize an opera in a Tweet using the hashtag #operaplot - 140 characters or less, 2.) Win a prize if yours is better than everyone else's! Complete rules, FAQs and prizes may be found here.
Washington National Opera's prize package is among the most exclusive prizes offered in the #operaplot contest, and includes tickets to the sold-out Turandot on June 4 and Opera Ball on June 5 (approximately $1,000 value). Guests at the black-tie affair will include celebrities, Washington elite and WNO supporters. This year's Opera Ball celebrates the musical culture of Germany and is hosted by the Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany at his embassy residence. The event will include light dessert, dancing and a surprise guest chanteuse.
