The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Symphony of Southeast Texas’ fantastic journey this season reaches its final destination as “The SOST Goes to the Opera” on Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Julie Rogers Theatre for a spectacular, grand finale performance. The dynamite performances throughout the entire season will be taken to the next level on this trip to the opera.

The concert features the SOST Chorus, including members of Lamar University Choir, Nederland High School choir, and two amazing soloists, Michelle Rice and Hector Vasquez, performing beloved selections from Bizet’s “Carmen,” Puccini’s “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly,” Verdi’s “Aida” and “Il Trovatore.”

Widely regarded as one of the greatest operas ever written, “Carmen” features beautiful and memorable melodies, great characters and amazing music. The mix of styles of the other popular opera choruses creates a spectacular grand finale to this 61st season, and the grand celebration is inclusive of the entire community.

“We always try to add a different spin on presentations, and choosing the best of opera is an exciting and celebratory way to end the season,” said SOST Music Director Chelsea Tipton, II. “It is also nice to collaborate with the chorus, Lamar students and Nederland’s choir to be able to bring in the whole community.”

Soloists Michelle Rice and Hector Vasquez come with high honors and add a dynamic element to this performance. Rice brings to her work a rich mezzo voice and notable performance intensity. She has performed many classic operatic rolls with companies such as the West Bay Opera, Opera San José, Fresno Grand Opera, Opera Cleveland, Annapolis Opera, and others throughout the United States. Vasquez has performed leading roles with many opera companies in the United States including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Houston Grand Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and many others.

Single ticket prices range from $17 to $41; senior, student and group discounts are available. To purchase tickets or get more information, go to www.sost.org or contact the Symphony office at (409) 892-2257.

“The SOST Goes to the Opera” is sponsored by Total; the SOST Chorus’ and vocal soloists’ appearances made possible in part by CHRISTUS-St. Elizabeth Hospital.

The Symphony of Southeast Texas continues its mission of presenting educational, entertaining, and culturally enriching programs of the highest artistic quality and, as always, promises to be “Good to the last note!”