Spotlight on Opera launches busy summer season at Centenary
SHREVEPORT, LA — The prestigious vocal training program, Spotlight on Opera, opened its 12th summer season with a welcome concert in Centenary’s Anderson Auditorium on June 24. A photo gallery from the welcome concert is available here. Spotlight on Opera participants and faculty will keep a busy schedule in July, presenting two major performances, an opera scenes showcase, two intimate evening events, and a traveling children’s opera.
“Shreveport has such vibrant arts offerings and Spotlight is thrilled to be a part,” says Cindy Sadler, artist-in-residence at Centenary’s Hurley School of Music and the founder/director of Spotlight on Opera. “Our motto is ‘Opera for Everybody,’ and we're committed to presenting affordable, intimate, fun opera to our audiences, while our young artists get amazing training and performance experience.”
Sadler founded Spotlight on Opera in 2007 as a one-week summer program. It has since grown into an independent non-profit organization, attracting students from all over the United States and several foreign countries. More information on the program is available at SpotlightOnOpera.com.
For tickets to all Spotlight on Opera 2018 season events, visit spotlightonopera.com/events.html.
DEATH BY ARIA
Friday, July 6, 7 p.m. JR Gallery & Performance Space
Kick back with a cocktail and enjoy a cavalcade of talent as the 2018 Spotlight cast shows off their best party pieces. $5 General Admission
SPOTLIGHT CABARET
Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. JR Gallery & Performance Space
You've never seen opera like this! Centenary's resident Broadway expert Adam Philley leads a cast of genre-bending young stars in a surprising night of musical theatre hits. $20/general public, $10/Seniors, students, military with ID
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
This charming half hour children's opera will be presented in various locations in July - see below for details.
Little Red's mom told her to head straight to poor sick Grandma's with a basket of goodies and make SURE she didn't talk to strangers. But the Big Bad Wolf is a smooth talker, and Little Red can't resist stopping by the strawberry patch. Can Little Red outsmart Big Bad and save Grandma? FREE.
July 11, 10:00 a.m. - Norton Art Gallery
July 12, 11:00 a.m. - Shreve Memorial Library Broadmoor Branch
July 13, 10:30 a.m. - Shriners Children's Hospital
July 17, 2:00 p.m. - Friendship House
July 20, 8:30 a.m. - Noel United Methodist Church
July 27, 2:00 p.m. – Anderson Auditorium, Centenary College
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
July 14, 7 p.m. & July 15, 2 p.m. Anderson Auditorium
When swashbuckling pirates and vivacious Victorian maidens mix, you get hilariously tuneful results. Former apprentice pirate Frederic is torn by his affection for his comrades, his loyalty to country and duty, and his love for Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley. Meanwhile, the Pirate King, aided by Frederic's former nurse Ruth, is leading an attack on the Stanley manse, with the intention of carrying off his daughters as wives for the pirate band. What's a slave of duty to do? FREE to Centenary students, faculty, and staff. $20/general public, $10/Seniors, students, military with ID
OPERA SCENES SHOWCASE
July 21, 7 p.m. & July 22, 2 p.m. Anderson Auditorium
Spotlight artists showcase their talent in an operatic smorgasbord of excerpts with something for everybody. A great way to sample opera! Excerpts from The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Cavalleria rusticana, Elektra, Der Freischütz, Susannah, and more. FREE to Centenary students, faculty, and staff. $10 general public/$7 seniors, military, and non-Centenary students with ID.
LA BOHEME
July 28, 7 p.m. & 29, 2 p.m., Anderson Auditorium
Puccini's masterpiece about the lives and loves of starving artists in 19th century Paris gets a fresh, modern take from stage director Josh Miller; but the soaring melodies and searing love stories are still there. FREE to Centenary students, faculty, and staff; $20/general public/$10 seniors, military, and students with ID.