Jul 19, 2008 8:18 am US/Pacific
Calling Opera Afficionados! Free Show In Riverside
RIVERSIDE
Classics by Bizet, Gershwin, Gilbert and Sullivan will sound throughout the Cesar Chavez Community Auditorium in Riverside today, as teenagers and adults who attended the city's first operatic workshop perform in a free show.
Graduates from the five-day 2008 Youth Opera Camp and Adult Master Class will sing selections from "Pirates of the Penzance," "Porgy & Bess" and "Carmen," according to city spokesman Austin Carter.
He said the opera aspirants auditioned in May for a chance to participate in the program, which focused on vocal lessons and stage performance etiquette and techniques.
"It's wonderful to see both youth and adults learning about opera," said Riverside City Councilman Andy Melendrez, one of the key figures in organizing the workshop. "Most who auditioned already have theatre experience and interests. but opera is something new for many of them."
The youth camp involved mainly junior high and high school students, while the adult program was geared to experienced singers, Carter said.
The two-hour show begins at 5 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Community Auditorium, 2060 University Ave.
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