Opera Under the Stars Returns to UBC Okanagan
Ticket Reservations Now Open
A highlight summer event returns this August as Opera Kelowna presents Opera Under the Stars (OPUS) at UBC Okanagan’s courtyard.
Opera Under the Stars, a free summer concert, was first presented in 2014 and returns Wednesday, August 10 for an evening of operatic singing in a summer festival atmosphere. The program will feature a variety of familiar operatic arias and ensembles, some new discoveries, and a thrilling finale guaranteed to make your heart sing.
The performance showcases the cast of Opera Kelowna’s upcoming production of Béatrice et Bénédict, as well as instructors and emerging artists from its Valley Opera Summer Intensive (VOSI) program.
While the concert is free, it typically reaches capacity, so
registration is required.
Seating in the main courtyard is festival format and attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and bring their own picnic and beverages. There will be opportunities to purchase food and beverages on-site prior to the concert. The event site opens at 7 pm and parking is free for the evening. People with accessibility needs can contact community.ok@ubc.ca.
A limited number of tickets are also available for the Elevated Experience, which features a pre-concert reception with community leaders, wine and refreshments, and an escort to reserved seating in chairs. The Elevated Experience, at UBCO’s Creative and Critical Studies building, begins at 6:45 pm and tickets are $50 per person.
“We are delighted to bring OPUS back this summer and can’t wait to present our amazing guest artists,” says Opera Kelowna Artistic Director Rosemary Thomson. “This unique evening reunites our community with the power of live music and a magical setting under the stars at UBC Okanagan.”
Performers include sopranos Monica Huismann and Eden Tremayne, mezzo soprano Stephanie Tritchew, contralto Lynne McMurtry, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, baritone Clarence Frazer and bass/baritone Mark Wells. Celebrated Canadian pianist and conductor Gordon Gerrard will be the featured collaborative pianist.
“Opera Kelowna is especially thrilled to offer these opportunities to local singers, Stephanie and Mark, to welcome Lynne back to the Okanagan where she grew up, and to feature UBC Opera School graduates, Eden and Lynne in this special partnership with UBC Okanagan,” adds Thomson.
Greg Garrard, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, says the campus community is happy to host such a key summer event. “I’m looking forward to enjoying an evening of faculty-sponsored musical marvels, in good company under the stars once again,” he adds.
“Pushor Mitchell is very pleased to once again support Opera Kelowna and Opera Under the Stars at UBC Okanagan,” says Andrew Brunton, Managing Partner for Pushor Mitchell LLP, Performance Sponsor. “We are pleased that our sponsorship allows the community to attend this event free of charge and experience a magical evening.”
Learn more about the Opera Kelowna programs and OPUS event sponsors:
- OPUS: https://www.operakelowna.com/production/2022-opera-under-the-stars/
- Béatrice et Bénédict: https://www.operakelownacom/production/beatrice-et-benedict/
- Valley Opera Summer Intensive: https://www.operakelowna.com/education/valley-opera-summer-intensive/
- Pushor Mitchell: https://www.pushormitchell.com/
- UBC Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies: https://fccs.ok.ubc.ca/
