SHOW US YOUR HABANERA!

The Habanera. You know it, even if you don’t, and now it just may be your ticket to free tickets.

Madison Opera is excited to announce its first ever YouTube video contest: Show Us Your Habanera! The Habanera is a famous aria from Georges Bizet’s popular opera Carmen. It originated on the opera stage but has since infiltrated our popular culture, appearing on your TV daily in commercials for everything from Doritos to Pepsi.

THE TASK: Create and upload YOUR version of the Habanera to YouTube. The most creative video--be it funny, beautiful, whatever--wins! Videos should be between 1 and 4 minutes long.*

THE PRIZE: A pair of tickets to Madison Opera’s opening night performance of Carmen in Overture Hall on Friday, November 6 at 8 p.m.

TO ENTER: Upload your video to YouTube and tag it “habanera contest.” Then, link the video to our Facebook page or in the comments section of this blog. You can also e-mail it to hinrichs@madisonopera.org

DEADLINE: Friday, October 23, 2009.

*Stuck for ideas? Try writing new lyrics, lip syncing, singing along (in English OR French, if you're fancy), choreographing, animating or otherwise dramatically reworking the Habanera. Surprise us!

Don’t miss your shot at YouTube glory and the chance to win the hottest tickets in town!