Opera in the Ozarks will present a series of special opera outreach performances for young audiences (or just the young at heart) at locations across Northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri in June and July.
The 2018 outreach opera is a comedy performance of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. The production stars a cast of Opera in the Ozarks studio artists and features the music of Rossini and other composers.
The free or low-cost outreach productions are performed at libraries and other community locations in Washington, Benton and Carroll counties in Arkansas, and in Cassville, Mo. Each lasts about an hour, with time for children to receive autographs and talk to the performers.
The series kicks off June 5 at 7 p.m. at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville.
Opera in the Ozarks General Director Nancy Preis said the goal of the outreach performances is to introduce children and families to the joy and magic of opera.
“Cinderella is a story that most children know, and opera is telling the story with music,” Preis said. “If we can get children and families to enjoy a familiar story set to music, we hope we can get them to consider a full-length opera at some point. I’m convinced that music in general, and opera specifically, helps people to learn, to become better people, and provides meaning to life.”
2018 Opera in the Ozarks outreach performances
Tuesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. – Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, 4703 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville (free)
Wednesday, June 6 at 2 p.m. – Rogers Public Library, 711 S. Dixieland Road (free)
Thursday, June 7 at 2 p.m. – Walton Life Fitness Center, 1701 S.E. 14th Street in Bentonville (free)
Tuesday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. – Bentonville Public Library, 405 S. Main Street (free)
Wednesday, June 13 at 3 p.m. – Eureka Springs Public Library, 194 Spring Street (free)
Wednesday, June 27 1 p.m. – Bella Vista Public Library, 11 Dickens Place (free)
Saturday, June 30 at 10:30 a.m. – Fayetteville Public Library, 401 W. Mountain Street (free)
Thursday, July 5 at 10 a.m. – Springdale Public Library, 405 S. Pleasant Street (free)
Saturday, July 7 at 2 p.m. – Eureka Springs Auditorium, 36 S. Main Street (kids free, $10 18+)
Wednesday, July 11 at 10 a.m. – Green Forest Public Library, 206 E. Main Street (free)
Thursday, July 12 at 2 p.m. – Cassville Public Library, 301 W. 17th Street, Cassville, Mo. (free)
