Fraser Lyric Opera, northern B.C.’s only professional opera company, is back on stage for the first time since 2019 with an upcoming recital at the Knox Performance Space.
“We are so excited to be bringing opera back to the city this summer,” said Melanie Nicol, artistic producer of Fraser Lyric Opera.
The performance called Divas and Divos takes place this Saturday July 15 at 7 p.m. with tickets available at the door.
It will feature Nicol as mezzo-soprano and Jason Cook as a baritone, who performed with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra in November.
“I love performing in Prince George,” said Cook. “I am very happy to be back here, working with talented students and singing one of my favourite pieces The Toreador aria from Carmen.”
Saturday night’s performance will include pieces by local students who attended a weeklong opera camp, which is comprised of both adults and children.
“We are going to be showcasing all the pieces we have been working on throughout the week. The kids have some musical theatre things prepared and the adults are preparing and working on different selections from famous operas.”
Nicol is encouraging everyone to come out and check out the performances, especially those who are not familiar with opera.
"People are not as new to opera as they might think. Opera melodies are heard everywhere and we will be singing a very famous duet called the Flower Duet and that is a duet that you’ve heard in just about every commercial imaginable. So, it is a great opportunity to hear these pieces in their entirety and get some backstory behind them as well.”
Nicol added that opera is about storytelling and anyone who likes to hear a good story should come and check out the concert this weekend.
A preview of #CityofPG opera company Fraser Lyric Opera’s July 15th recital at the Knox Performance Space. Show starts at 7 pm and will feature students from its summer camp program! pic.twitter.com/PgQD7KmCqH
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) July 11, 2023
