Last Call for Opera Night

I love singing, but until recently, my knowledge of opera was mostly from a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

I still would not consider myself an opera lover, though I think there is something fascinating about the idea of a 14-year-old singing opera. You can see such young performers Tuesday, March 29, when the holds its eighth annual opera night.

Every year, SOCSA artistic director Ray Woods and opera coach Linda Rose Linnebach hold an opera workshop. Students study opera on Saturdays for three hours a week for seven to eight weeks and then put on a showcase of the songs they have learned.

“Many accomplished vocal students have never studied opera and are amazed at the skills they can learn through this event,” Linnebach said.  

The workshop draws students from all over South Orange County, as it’s one of the few opera programs available.

“The opera techniques students learn will carry into all their other vocal performances as well,” she said.

Songs are sung in their original languages, so expect to hear lots of Italian, some French and German. There are lively ensemble songs done in English, courtesy of Gilbert and Sullivan. One of the highlights for me will be to see Laguna Niguel’s own Emma Werdeman, a senior at Dana Hills High and recent winner of the Stars of Tomorrow vocal competition and scholarship sing “Si, mi chiamano Mimi” from La Bohème, by Giacomo Puccini. I heard her sing it at the competition and was moved to tears, even though I did not understand exactly what she was saying.

The Opera Night event is a great introduction to opera for non-opera people such as myself and will feature pieces from Rigoletto, The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, La Bohème and The Pirates of Penzance.  Tickets are on sale online at socsarts.org or can be purchased at the door for $20.

In the end, “Kill da’ Wabbit” sung by Elmer Fudd, to the score of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries may bring a smile to your face, but hopefully, will no longer be your only opera experience.