The opera is coming to Prince George.
Knox Performance Centre will be hosting Fraser Lyric Opera's performance Unleashed. This special concert will take place on Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m.
This multifaceted performance will feature a performance of Beatrice et Benedicte, a classic opera love story performed by local opera performers.
The Fraser Lyric Opera is Northern BC's opera troupe.
The show will feature guest appearances by acclaimed professional opera singers Anna van der Hooft, Melanie Nicol and Brenda Jacobson. Pianist Deene Grier will also perform.
These dynamic performances will include the culmination of a week-long intensive musical theatre and opera summer camp for students aged nine to 18.
Students will showcase their talents with Disney songs and selections from Wicked, Jekyll and Hyde, The Sound of Music and Annie.
One of the highlights of the camps for Melanie Nicol, artistic producer at Fraser Lyric Opera, is seeing the growth of her students — including two she’ll be sharing the stage with this Saturday.
“Paige used to be one of my students, and she was in our inaugural performance of Beatrice and Benedict in 2015 as a kid,” said Nicol. “She was only about 18 at the time. She went to Capilano University, did a musical theatre degree and came back. She is now president of the opera company.
“Brenna Jacobson is another one of my students who started with me when she was 11 years old. Her first piece was from Anne of Green Gables. She went to the University of Manitoba, did her undergrad in vocal performance and is now back teaching some of the campers and also performing in the final concert.”
In addition to growth in talent, Nicol says the camp itself has grown in popularity in Prince George. She notes the program began in 2014 with only eight adult participants. This year, it includes nine kids and 16 adults.
Nicol told The Citizen she is particularly excited to bring a musical performance that’s not typically seen in Prince George to local audiences.
“We’ve been doing these camps off and on since 2014,” she said. “It’s about sharing that love of opera with Prince George and with people who want to learn more about the art form. It’s another way to tell a story that I don’t think many people in Prince George are familiar with.”
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door or online at the Fraser Lyric Opera website:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduTvNIRTRAhpeCoA29kc4zJhJOWiTIoi_AIQbadyzu2pI9GQ/viewform
