After a year lying silent due to the pandemic, the hills at Inspiration Point echo with the sound of music once again. Opera singers and musicians from across the country have returned to the Opera in the Ozarks campus preparing to take the stage for the 2021 Season: “Tying the Knot,” running July 2 through 23.
The “knot,” of course, refers to the triumph and tragedy of love and marriage as portrayed in three entertaining operas: Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, the tragic tale of the bride of Lammermoor; Massenet’s Cendrillon, a retelling of Cinderella with equal parts madcap comedy and heartfelt romance; and an abridged family version of Mozart’s fantastical yarn, The Magic Flute, delightfully cast in a new English translation as a camping adventure.
“We are so excited to be returning to the stage!” OiO General Director Nancy Preis said. “While this season is a bit shorter than we usually do, the repertoire still includes two fully staged operas and a family opera – all performed with a chamber orchestra. We are instituting a host of safety procedures, including social distancing and wearing of masks by all audience members. But what will be on stage is the same glorious music and dramatic entertainment we’ve been producing for more than seventy years.”
A new addition for 2021 will be a streaming service allowing those who can’t come to the opera in person to “attend” their favorite operas online. “The performances will be filmed and streaming tickets will be available on the opera.org website soon,” Preis said.
Before the season opening, however, opera fans will want to be on hand Sunday, June 27, at 2 p.m. when the knowledgeable Don Dagenais will inform and entertain with his preview of Lucia di Lammermoor, including images and musical excerpts. This program is free and guaranteed to stir excitement about seeing the whole opera. Seating will be in an air-conditioned rehearsal hall.
The season also includes a night of Crazy, Mixed-Up Opera on Saturday, July 17. What if Lucia attended Prince Charming’s ball? Could Cinderella’s fairy godmother make Lucia’s brother let her marry the man she loves? This hilarious mash-up of the season’s two mainstage operas will be preceded by a performance of The Magic Flute.
The ever-popular Chamber Music concert has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 20; and on Wednesday, July 21, the season’s singers will present Scenes: Opera and Broadway. The program includes scenes from operas other than those in the current season, along with offerings from beloved Broadway shows.
All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. except July 11 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and July 18 (8 p.m. – see online schedule) at the Opera in the Ozarks theater at Inspiration Point, 16311 US 62W. Capacity at the theater is limited for social distancing, so order tickets early. Masks are required.
Single tickets for the 2021 Summer Season performance are $25 and $30 for adults, $10 under 18. Purchase tickets online at opera.org or call the box office (479) 253-8595. For more information, visit opera.org.