Knoxville, TN – For the eighth consecutive year, Knoxville Opera will bring a staged opera into East Tennessee schools starting on Tuesday, January 8. This season’s production, scheduled to be experienced by 8,000 students in six counties, is a 40 minute, abridged English-language version of Donizetti’s 1835 opera Lucia di Lammermoor.
“It is our privilege to share the glorious music and drama of popular operas with students in their schools,” said Knoxville Opera’s Executive and Artistic Director, Brian Salesky. “For many of them, this will be their first experience with opera or professional theatre of any kind. It is most gratifying to see the enthusiastic reactions to the vocal performances of our superb guest artists. Having already performed in-school operas for over 50,000 students, I know the tremendous impact it has on them. Their curiosity and excited participation confirms the value of our in-school programs which also include presentations of Opera 101 and the African-American Voices Series. We are often impressed by the curiosity and intelligent questions asked during the post-performance Q&A. It is our hope that these programs will inspire a love of musical theatre in each student and that they will take advantage of our free student tickets to dress rehearsals and performances at the magnificent Tennessee Theatre.”
Teachers have already received a Teacher Guide to help prepare students for the performances. After watching the tale of a star-crossed romance set in 16th century Scotland, each student will receive information about the full version of Lucia di Lammermoor which will be performed at the Tennessee Theatre on February 22 and 24. The complete opera will be sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage and students are invited to take photos with the cast on stage after the performances.
The free student admission Final Dress Rehearsal takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20. Accompanying adults pay just $5 cash at the door. A limited number of free student tickets to the performances are available by calling Knoxville Opera at (865) 524-0795, ext. 251.
Knoxville Opera’s entire January schedule for public Education & Community Engagement programs follows:
DATE TIME VENUE PROGRAM
Jan. 8 1:00 p.m. Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 9 10:10 a.m. Farragut Middle School, Farragut Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 9 2:10 p.m. Farragut Middle School, Farragut Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 10 10:00 a.m. Seymour High School, Seymour Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 10 2:00 p.m. Eagleton Middle School, Maryville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 11 9:45 a.m. West Hills Elementary School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 11 1:00 p.m. Episcopal School of Knoxville, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 14 9:45 a.m. Brickey-McCloud Elementary, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 14 1:30 p.m. Gresham Middle School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 15 10:00 a.m. Northwest Middle School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 15 1:15 p.m. Powell Elementary School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 16 10:30 a.m. William Blount High School, Maryville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 16 2:00 p.m. Alcoa Middle School, Alcoa Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 17 10:30 a.m. Sweetwater High School, Sweetwater African-American Voices
Jan. 17 1:00 p.m. Sequoyah High School, Madisonville Opera 101
Jan. 17 7:00 p.m. Hiwassee College, Madisonville Community Concert
Jan. 18 10:30 a.m. Meadowview Middle School, Morristown Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 18 1:30 p.m. West View Middle School, Morristown Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 21 11:45 a.m. Overcoming Believers Church, Knoxville MLK Jr. Day Celebration
Jan. 22 10:00 a.m. Austin-East High School, Knoxville African-American Voices
Jan. 22 1:30 p.m. Spring Hill Elementary School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 23 10:30 a.m. Holston Middle School, Knoxville African-American Voices
Jan. 23 2:00 p.m. Central High School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 24 10:00 a.m. Austin-East High School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 24 1:30 p.m. Carter Middle School, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
Jan. 24 7:00 a.m. Knox High Senior Center, Knoxville Lucia of Lammermoor
