If you’ve ever wished to be a part of opera, now is your chance. And you can support Santa Clara’s recreation programs at the same time. Beginning June 18, Mission City Opera (www.missioncityopera.org) will begin its Chorus Training Program, offered through Santa Clara Parks and Recreation by company founder and executive director — and longtime Santa Clara resident – Sharon Kaye.
The eight-week program includes voice lessons and chorus training for upcoming MCO productions, and costs $80 for Santa Clara residents, and $110 for non-residents. This a true bargain for participants when you consider that voice lessons alone cost upwards of $50 an hour. Sessions run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Register online at online.activecommunities.com/santaclara/Start/Start.asp (Course number 42630) or at the Community Recreation Center, 900 Kiely.
MCO is also having a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser and silent auction on June 3 starting 6:00 p.m. at Mariani’s Restaurant. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, silent auction, and entertainment by MCO’s talented singers – all for $20. For tickets, email skaye@missioncityopera.org or call (408) 515-8471.
Opera lovers have another local treat coming up this summer: the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD Summer Encores video series at the CineArts 6 theater in Santana Row.
The Wednesday night series begins June 15, and features six operas from the Met’s 2010-2011 season, including: Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (June 15), Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (June 22), Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra (June 29), Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment (July 13), Puccini’s Tosca (July 20), and Verdi’s Don Carlo (July 27). Shows begin 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast. To buy tickets online, visit www.fathomevents.com/performingarts/series/metsummerencore2011.aspx.