Riverside Opera Camp Returns

By City News Service

Enrollment opened Tuesday for a Riverside summer program geared to aspiring opera vocalists seeking an opportunity to study -- and perform -- the works of legendary composers.

The annual Riverside Opera Program is slated for July 13-17 at the Cesar Chavez Community Center.

“This year, we are excited to partner with Riverside Lyric Opera, which brings years of regional opera experience to our program,” said City Councilman Andy Melendrez, who helped found the opera camp in 2008.

“Our director, Dr. Stephen Tucker, comes with vast experience teaching music and musical theater throughout Southern California,” he said.

Adults and children are invited to participate in the program. Singing experience is a prerequisite to admission into both the youth and adult classes.

During the five-day camp, operatic aspirants learn vocal techniques, staging and classical music styles, according to organizers.

The training will culminate in a concert on July 19 at The Box Theater in downtown Riverside.

In the past, students have performed the celebrated works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Strauss, Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini, as well as showcased selections from “Pirates of Penzance.”

Interested parties should contact program coordinator Brenda Flowers at (951) 826-5408, or via email at bflowers@riversideca.gov.