San Antonio Opera and The Hill Country Opera League have planned an extravagant Fredericksburg Opera Fest which will take place on July 23rd and 24th.
Hometown Grammy Award nominee Ava Pine, soprano, who has established herself as an artist to watch will be the featured artist for the week-end event. She has been recognized for both her rewarding vocalism and compelling commitment to character in works ranging from Baroque to Contemporary.
Ms. Pine, equally at home with opera, oratorio or recital will be joined by David Gashen, tenor, famous throughout Europe and the Americas for his more than 1300 lead role performances of ‘Phantom Of The Opera’,and Christopher Dickerson, bass-baritone, hailed by The New York Times as a “commanding” voice and noted for his ‘gorgeous lower register by Opera Chic. Dickerson has also had notable performances as Sam in Un Ballo in Maschera at the opera Company of Philadelphia, Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni with the Minnesota opera as well as multiple engagements at San Antonio Opera beginning with his San Antonio debut as Sparafucile in Rigoletto.
The accompaniest for the week-end is Larry Landusky. Larry is well known throughout texas for his solo work and accompanyament and is especially celebrated for his skill in adapting to the style and repertoire of a large variety of performers and a variety of music genres.
All performers for the week-end are native Texans. Gashen, Dickerson and Landusky are each Texas Tech alumni.
“There will be something for everyone!” says Arden Dorn who is Associate Manager of Corporate Relations with San Antonio Opera and the organizer for The Hill Country Opera League.
The week-end events begin on July 23rd with a 9:30 a.m. showing of The 25th Anniversary PBS presentation of Les Miserables at The Stagecoach Theater, 2254 S. US Highway 87. A pie and ice cream social hosted by The Tootie Pie Company and Blue Bell Creameries will follow. The event is free to the public on a first come first serve basis.
The Saturday evening opening performance of Ava Pine, soprano, David Gashen, tenor and Christopher Dickerson, bass/baritone will begin at 7:30 p.m. at The Fredericksburg Theater Company’s Steve W Shepherd Theater, 1668 Hwy. 87 South. They will collectively present an evening of great music ranging from opera to musical theater. Reserved seating ticket prices for the performance are $40.00.
An ‘after party’ will be held following the Saturday evening performance at The InSight Art Gallery at 214 West Main Street, Fredericksburg. Guest artists will perform familiar arias and broadway show tunes. A wine and martini bar will be featured hosted by Serendipity Wines, LTD., and Cinco Vodka. Hors D’oeuvres will be served. Tickets for the after party are $20.00 per person and may be purchased through Fredericksburg Theater Company.
On Sunday morning, July 24th , an elegant brunch will be hosted by August E’s Restaurant, 203 E. San Antonio Street, Fredericksburg, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.. Guest artists will perform . Tickets for the brunch are $35.00 per person plus tax and gratuity. Call August E’s at 830-997-1585 for brunch reservations. The brunch will be available to 100 persons. Local opera singer, Sara Michael Jacobi, soprano and graduate of Texas State University will be one of the featured performers.
At 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24th, a matinee performance by the above named artists will be held at The Fredericksburg Theater Company, 1668 Hwy. 87 South. The performance will be intrinsically different from the Saturday night performance. Included will be a piano solo arrangement by accompaniest Larry Landusky, noted for his incredible skill at the piano and his great ability to mix everything from familiar hymn tunes, opera arias, jazz, blues, gospel, soul, contemporary, baroque and classical. He has the capability of weaving music styles and varieties into a beautiful tapestry like no other. Tickets for the Sunday Matinee performance are $40.00 on a reserved, first come first serve basis.
Tickets for the week-end: Saturday Evening Performance,7:30 P.M. $40.00. Saturday After Party, following the performance, InSight Gallery, $20.00. Sunday Brunch,11:00-1:00 P.M. (Call August E’s,830-997-1585 for reservations), $35.00. Sunday Matinee, 2:00 P.M., $40.00. All Inclusive Week-end Price: $125.00 includes brunch (inclusive tickets cannot be purchased on line).
Tickets for The Fredericksburg Opera Fest may be purchased at The Fredericksburg Theater Company by calling 888-669-7114 or 830-997-3588. You may also purchase tickets on line at www.fredericksburgtheater.org. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.. The Box office is located at 306 E. Austin St, Fredericksburg, next to the Visitor Information Center. The All Inclusive Week-end tickets WILL NOT be available for purchase on-line. You must call The Fredericksburg Theater Company at 888-669-7114 or 830-997-3588 to purchase the inclusive tickets. All Inclusive Week-end tickets will include the Sunday Brunch. Individual brunch tickets must be purchased directly from August E’s.
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