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Spotlight on Opera Summer Series

Spotlight on Opera

July 25th through August 15th

Bachus Conservatory and Alma Thomas Theatre

Spotlight on Opera launches its most ambitious summer season to date, beginning July 25th and continuing through August 15th. This summer programming will offer four weekends of musical performances that are include performances of arias and opera showcases, plus staged productions of The Marriage of Figaro and Cavalleria Rusticana.

Now in its fourth season, the Spotlight on Opera program was founded by director Cindy Sadler in 2007 at the request of St. Edward's Music Department Head, Dr. Michael McKelvey. Originally just a summer opera offering, the program expanded in Fall 2009 to a full season. The program is open to community members as well as students, providing high quality opera training and performance opportunities.

The summer programming opens with "An Aria Extravaganza" on July 25th at 3 p.m. at the Bachus Conservatory, located at 8000 Anderson Square. The afternoon of arias, duets, and ensembles will include highlights from The Marriage of Figaro and Cavalleria Rusticana, along with Rusalka's "Song to the Moon," "Largo al Factotum" from The Barber of Seville, "Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix" from Samson and Dalila, and "The Drinking Song" from The Student Prince - as well as popular numbers from Carmen, The Mikado, Faust, and La Bohème.

Tickets are $10 at the door, and proceeds benefit the Bachus Conservatory. Established in 2007 by nationally acclaimed concert pianist and cellist, Brett Bachus, the Bachus Conservatory provides music education for Central Texas residents.

On July 31st at 7 p.m. and August 1st at 2 p.m., "The Song Café" returns to Bachus Conservatory to offer a reprise of last season's successful staged art song project. Each Song Café becomes a unique improvised play, featuring "Lieder" art songs in contemporary settings. Tickets will be $10 for general admission and $7 for students, seniors, and children 7 years old and up.

"An Opera Showcase" - with staged excerpts from La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Cosí fan tutte, Faust, Manon, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Rusalka, The Rake's Progress, I Capuletti e i Montecchi, The Mikado, and more - plays August 7th at 7 p.m. and August 8th at 2 p.m. at Jones Auditorium in the Ragsdale Center at St. Edward's University, and August 14th at 7 p.m. in the Alma Thomas Theater at Southwestern University in Georgetown on Tickets will be $10 for general admission and $7 for students, seniors, and children 7 years old and up.

Performances of The Marriage of Figaro (Acts I and II) and Cavalleria Rusticana, in Italian with piano, will be performed August 13th at 7 p.m. and August 15th, at a time to be announced, at the Alma Thomas Theater at Southwestern University. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $12 for students, seniors and children 7 of age and up.

Based on the second of the famous Beaumarchais trilogy, The Marriage of Figaro tells the story of Figaro and Susanna - clever servants of the Count and Countess Almaviva - who team with their mistress to outwit her lecherous husband and marry one another. Rebecca Herman provides stage direction, with musical direction by Chuck Dillard and piano accompaniment by Nissa Kahle.

Translated as "rustic chivalry," Cavalleria Rusticana tells the story of life, love, honor, and death in a small Sicilian village. The desperate Santuzza struggles to win back the love of Turiddu, who has abandoned her to return to his first love, Lola - who is now the wife of another man. Cindy Sadler provides stage direction, with musical direction by Chuck Dillard and piano accompaniment by Cynthia Wilson.

For more information about the summer programs and upcoming auditions, visit www.SpotlightOnOpera.com.




Spotlight on Opera Summer Series Spotlight on Opera July 25th through August 15th Bachus Conservatory and Alma Thomas Theatre Spotlight on Opera launches its most ambitious summer season to date, beginning July 25th and continuing through August 15th. This summer programming will offer four weekends of musical performances that are include performances of arias and opera showcases, plus staged productions of The Marriage of Figaro and Cavalleria Rusticana. Now in its fourth season, the Spotlight on Opera program was founded by director Cindy Sadler in 2007 at the request of St. Edward's Music Department Head, Dr. Michael McKelvey. Originally just a summer opera offering, the program expanded in Fall 2009 to a full season. The program is open to community members as well as students, providing high quality opera training and performance opportunities. The summer programming opens with "An Aria Extravaganza" on July 25th at 3 p.m. at the Bachus Conservatory, located at 8000 Anderson Square. The afternoon of arias, duets, and ensembles will include highlights from The Marriage of Figaro and Cavalleria Rusticana, along with Rusalka's "Song to the Moon," "Largo al Factotum" from The Barber of Seville, "Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix" from Samson and Dalila, and "The Drinking Song" from The Student Prince - as well as popular numbers from Carmen, The Mikado, Faust, and La Bohème. Tickets are $10 at the door, and proceeds benefit the Bachus Conservatory. Established in 2007 by nationally acclaimed concert pianist and cellist, Brett Bachus, the Bachus Conservatory provides music education for Central Texas residents. On July 31st at 7 p.m. and August 1st at 2 p.m., "The Song Café" returns to Bachus Conservatory to offer a reprise of last season's successful staged art song project. Each Song Café becomes a unique improvised play, featuring "Lieder" art songs in contemporary settings. Tickets will be $10 for general admission and $7 for students, seniors, and children 7 years old and up. "An Opera Showcase" - with staged excerpts from La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Cosí fan tutte, Faust, Manon, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Rusalka, The Rake's Progress, I Capuletti e i Montecchi, The Mikado, and more - plays August 7th at 7 p.m. and August 8th at 2 p.m. at Jones Auditorium in the Ragsdale Center at St. Edward's University, and August 14th at 7 p.m. in the Alma Thomas Theater at Southwestern University in Georgetown on Tickets will be $10 for general admission and $7 for students, seniors, and children 7 years old and up. Performances of The Marriage of Figaro (Acts I and II) and Cavalleria Rusticana, in Italian with piano, will be performed August 13th at 7 p.m. and August 15th, at a time to be announced, at the Alma Thomas Theater at Southwestern University. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $12 for students, seniors and children 7 of age and up. Based on the second of the famous Beaumarchais trilogy, The Marriage of Figaro tells the story of Figaro and Susanna - clever servants of the Count and Countess Almaviva - who team with their mistress to outwit her lecherous husband and marry one another. Rebecca Herman provides stage direction, with musical direction by Chuck Dillard and piano accompaniment by Nissa Kahle. Translated as "rustic chivalry," Cavalleria Rusticana tells the story of life, love, honor, and death in a small Sicilian village. The desperate Santuzza struggles to win back the love of Turiddu, who has abandoned her to return to his first love, Lola - who is now the wife of another man. Cindy Sadler provides stage direction, with musical direction by Chuck Dillard and piano accompaniment by Cynthia Wilson. For more information about the summer programs and upcoming auditions, visit www.SpotlightOnOpera.com.



		(Photos by Matt Julian)

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