Lexington to debut Opera Under the Stars

First concert scheduled for Aug. 8

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 23, 2015) — Opera Under the Stars, a new event announced today by Mayor Jim Gray and Lexington Parks & Recreation, will feature some of the best young opera artists Central Kentucky has to offer. All events will be held at MoonDance at Midnight Pass Amphitheater, with the first event scheduled for Aug. 8.

“Opera Under the Stars is an exciting new opportunity to experience Lexington’s top-notch vocal talent in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere,” Gray said. “Great cities have great arts communities, and that’s what we have in Lexington. Our artists, musicians, writers, dancers and singers light up our lives. And they also light up our city… arts equals jobs.”

Audiences will hear several of opera’s greatest hits, including songs from “La Traviata,” “The Magic Flute,” “The Marriage of Figaro”: and more. Singers scheduled to perform at Opera Under the Stars include sopranos Shareese Arnold and Gabrielle Barker, mezzo-soprano Sarah Klopfenstein and tenors Jonathan Parham and Zackery Morris. Maris Deddens will accompany on piano. The performers are all alumni of the University of Kentucky’s acclaimed Opera Theatre program, which is attracting the nation’s best voices to Lexington.

“Lexington has watched these singers grow and develop during their time at the University of Kentucky, and with regional opera companies,” said Patrick Joel Martin, event coordinator for Opera Under the Stars. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to support Lexington’s aspiring professionals.”

Director Monica Conrad said Opera Under the Stars is modeled after the popular event Ballet Under the Stars, which is celebrating its 26th anniversary at Woodland Park.

“Our cultural arts staff does a great job programming a wide variety of events that are free or low cost to the public,” Conrad said. “We hope Opera Under the Stars will be an annual event, something all people—ones who are familiar with opera and people who have never heard it before—can appreciate and enjoy.”