It was 1901 and President William McKinley was shot at the Pan-American Exposition. It was one of Buffalo's darkest hours and the perfect story to turn into an opera, according to Valerian Ruminski founder of the Nickel City Opera Company.
The new opera is called "Shot!" and was created by ASCAP award winning composer Persis Vehar. Ruminski said, "I was taught in school that opera is about life and death. This is the perfect story not only because there was a tragic death, but because it took the President eight days to pass away."
This world premiere features a 26 piece orchestra, 35 member chorus and a cast of 18. The show will be performed at Shea's Performing Arts Center Friday June 10th at 8pm and Sunday June 12th at 2:30pm.
No historical detail has been overlooked in this production including replicas of the dais where President McKinley gave his last speech, Pan-American Exposition lamp posts that Valerian says "look like something from Dr. Who."
This original production will appeal to music lovers and history buffs alike. Valerian Ruminski is calling "Shot!" "a special gift to Western New York, the biggest show about the history of Buffalo in the history of Buffalo."
For more information you can check out the Nickel City Opera Company website.
