Selections from “Carmen,” “Faust” and other French operas will spice up Valentine’s Day during the Toledo Opera Gala at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

“April in Paris” is the theme for this year’s gala concert, which features “selections from some of the greatest and most popular French operas, including Carmen and Faust, both of which have been staged in their entirety by the Toledo Opera in recent seasons,” said Thomas Conlin, principal conductor. “The program also allows us to present brief excerpts from some of the lesser-known French operas like Thais, Benvenuto Cellini and The Pearl Fishers.”

The Toledo Opera has been hosting annual gala concerts for decades, Conlin said. They differ from staged opera productions in that they focus solely on the music-singing and orchestral accompaniment — and do not include scenery, costumes, acting or special effects.

Nearly 150 singers and instrumentalists will perform during the gala, which features the Toledo Opera Chorus and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

According to a news release, soprano Kerri Marcinko, a Cleveland native, will be heard in the roles of Marguerite in Faust and in the title role in Carmen. Mark McCrory, bass, and Gaston Rivero, tenor, will sing one of “the most familiar duets in the operatic repertoire,” “Au fond du temple saint” (“We met at the holy temple”) from The Pearl Fishers.

“Most of the selections at the Opera Gala feature solo voices and/or the chorus, accompanied by a large orchestra,” Conlin said.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $80. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.toledoopera.org or call (419) 418-0011.

Immediately following the gala concert, attendees will have an opportunity to mingle with performers and enjoy appetizers and a cash bar during an after-party at the Toledo Club, 245 14th St. Tickets are $50 per person. To RSVP, e-mail ccroskey@toledoopera.org or call (419) 255-7464, ext. 5.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 6:05 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Opera.
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