The Knoxville Opera Performs CARMEN for Over 7,000 Students in Local Schools

The Knoxville Opera is thrilled to present its fourth school tour this month. Bizet's Carmen is the featured opera and showcases the music of Spain, including famous melodies and a cast full of charisma. Knoxville Opera board members are excited to continue the school tours, due to the previous three years of positive responses from students, teachers and school administrators. The performances are sung in English and feature Spanish costumes, scenery, and props. The school tour runs between now and January 16. This project is a part of Knoxville Opera's annual $150,000 Education/Outreach Program.

"The overwhelming response from the past three seasons of in-school performances of Romeo & Juliette, Cinderella, and The Elixir of Love has inspired us to continue to share the music and cultural elements of operas with our local students," said Knoxville Opera Executive Director and Maestro Brian Salesky. "It's a wonderful way to transport these young people to another place and time, to educate them in arts and culture, and to inspire their own creativity."

Sarasota Opera mezzosoprano Briana Hunter portrays the captivating Spanish gypsy girl Carmen, UT School of Music alumnus Peter Johnson performs the role of the Toreador Escamillo, and Texas tenor Sergio Cepeda plays Don Jose, the Spanish soldier whose life is inspired and then destroyed by Carmen. The productions are free to Knox County public schools and will be accompanied and narrated by Salesky.

The school tour includes performances at Carter, Austin-East, Hardin Valley, and L&N STEM high schools; Holston, Farragut, Gresham, Jefferson, Carter, Northwest, and Robertsville middle schools; and Brickey-McCloud, New Hopewell, West Haven, West Hills, and Maynard elementary schools. An additional bonus show will be presented at the Mountain View Development Center.

All students from the East Tennessee region are also invited to attend the "Student Dress Rehearsal" of the complete and fully-staged production of Carmen on Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre. This performance is free to students of all ages. Doors open at 5:30p.m. with open seating.

A synopsis of Carmen, along with the cast bios, can be viewed here. For more information, call Knoxville Opera at 865-524-0795.

Photo Courtesy of the Knoxville Opera

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