Opera series continues with best-loved scenes

Elgin Opera is holding its first Community Outreach Summer Music Festival.

It continues with "Best Loved Opera Scenes" at 8 p.m. Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Harold D. Rider Center on the campus of Elgin Academy, 350 Park St.

A staged and costumed production of "Suor Angelica," a one-hour opera by Puccini, will be presented under the direction of Mark James Meier.

The title role will be performed by Marcy Stonikas of Chicago, first-place winner of the emerging artist division of Elgin Opera's third annual vocal competition, as well as the winner of the "Most Promising Career" award.

Barbara Landis of Chicago, artistic director of Chamber Opera Chicago, will perform "The Princess." Marianne Adaire of Evanston, first-place winner of the young artist division of Elgin Opera's third annual competition, will sing the role of Sister Genevieve.

Other singers in the production include Kimberly Albrecht, Stacey Bravos, Sarah Heitman and Kendra Wieneke, all of Barrington; Margaret Schnute of Bolingbrook; Paula Mrazek and Michelle Hackman, both of Cary; Corey Fretz, Jori Jennings, Sara Litchfield, Elizabeth Shuman and Nicole Teram, all of Chicago; and Danielle Floberg of Palatine.

The other part of the "Best Loved Opera Scenes" evening will highlight excerpts from various operas, including "La Boheme," "La Rondine," "La Traviata," "I Pagliacci," "Romeo and Juliet," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Don Giovanni." Additional singers include founder and artistic director Solange Sior, Ghibong Kim of Arlington Heights, Wojciech Ziarnik of Chicago, and Jeorge Holmes of Elgin.

Other events at the Summer Music Festival include Master Classes with Maestro Giulio Favario, former associate conductor and chorus master at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and former principal coach at the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, and Philip Morehead, pianist and conductor, head of music staff of Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists.

These events are open to the public. Tickets are $18 or $15 for seniors and students. Discounted prices for members of the Elgin Opera Guild For tickets, call Elgin Opera at (847) 695-5014, e-mail office@elginopera.org visit elginopera.org.