Happy National Opera Day! It's an occasion to commemorate the heritage and enchanting allure of opera a truly captivating art form that has evolved throughout the centuries. Whether you're an opera enthusiast or new, to this world there are ways to engage in the festivities.

Here are some suggestions to make the most out of National Opera Day;

1. Indulge in Your Favorite Operas; Immerse yourself in the realm of opera by listening to your productions. Let the music transport you as you experience arias by Verdi, melodies by Puccini or intricate compositions by Mozart.

2. Attend an Virtual Performance; Check out opera performances or explore virtual options. Many opera houses now offer streaming services or recorded performances that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home.

3. Host an Opera Inspired Gathering; Bring together friends and family for an opera themed celebration. Encourage costumes, set arias as background music. Perhaps even have a sing along session for those feeling adventurous.

4. Delve into Opera History; Explore the origins and development of opera. The provided historical overview offers insights. You can further explore specific periods or composers that spark your curiosity.

5. Share Your Love on Social Media; Express your passion for opera by sharing posts, on media platforms.
Lets join the conversation by using the hashtags #nationaloperaday #pla #pacificlyricassociation. Share your moments from opera suggest must listen pieces or simply express your deep admiration, for this extraordinary art form.

6. Discover New Operas; If you're new to opera National Opera Day is an occasion to explore and find something. Delve into genres and styles. You might stumble upon a new favorite.

7. Trivia Night; Challenge your friends to a night with an opera twist. Put your knowledge to the test about operas, composers and significant historical events. It's a way to learn and share your passion.

8. Support Local Opera Houses; Consider attending a performance at your opera house or supporting them through donations. These establishments play a role in preserving the enchanting world of opera.​

Remember, National Opera Day is about celebrating the diversity and captivating beauty of this incredible art form. Whether you're singing along from home attending a performance or expressing your love, on social media platforms let the magic of opera fill every moment of your day!

Mark your calendars, our next Open Mic Pro is January 24

Justin Gray at the piano

PROGRAM  

Senta’s ballad (Der Fliegende Holländer)– Wagner
Diana Farrell        
La fleur que tu m’avais jetée (Carmen) – Bizet
Chris Eaglin
Je dis que ne rien m’épouvante (Carmen) – Bizet
Chelsea Seener
Geh, Herz von Flandern (Bastien & Bastienne) – Mozart
Tiffany Brannan/John Nettles 
E fra quest’ansie (Pagliacci) – Leoncavallo
Jordan Fan
Elsa’s Dream (Lohengrin) – Wagner
Michelle Law
Eri tu (Un Ballo in Maschera) – Verdi
Robert Sheaffer

INTERMISSION
​
The Trees on the Mountain (Susanna) – Floyd
Tiffany Brannan
Cielo e mar (La Gioconda) – Ponchielli
Christopher Eaglin
Il m’en souvient (Béatrice & Bénédict) – Berlioz
Chelsea Seener
Whither Must I Wander – Vaughan Williams
John Nettles
Un bel di (Madama Butterfly) – Puccini
Diana Farrell 
The Road to Mandalay – Kipling/Speaks
Robert Sheaffer 
Vilja’s song (The Merry Widow) – Lehár
Michelle Law
Heaven’s Light (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
Jordan Fan

December 27, 2023
6:30pm to 8pm
Forgotten Barrel Winery
in
Escondido

Keep checking here as we keep updating the program

Performing 12/27:

Justin Gray at the piano

PROGRAM:

                                             Song to the Moon (Rusalka) – Dvorak                                                 
Caroline Nelms
 
                                                  Ständchen – Schubert                                                   
           Alexis Alfaro             
 
Donde lieta usci (La Bohème) – Puccini  
Tiffany Brannan
 
Du bist die Ruh – Schubert       
Stephen Blavet
 
Habañera (Carmen) – Bizet    
Rebekah Brannan
 
Chacun à son gôut (Die Fledermaus) – Strauss
Emma Ginzel
 
Mattinata – Leoncavallo   
Jordan Fan/Caroline Nelms
 
Ave Maria – Schubert   
Patrick Anderson
                                           
O Holy Night – Adam  
Chelsea Seener
 
INTERMISSION
 
Caballero del alto plumero (Luisa Fernanda) – Torroba       
Tiffany Brannan/Alexis Alfaro
 
Vaghissma Sembianza – Donaudy      
Stephen Blavet
 
The Miller’s Son (A Little Night Music) – Sondheim     
Emma Ginzel
 
Merry Christmas, Darling – Carpenter         
Caroline Nelms
 
If Ever I would Leave You (Camelot) – Lerner & Loewe
Jordan Fan
 
Show me (My Fair Lady) – Lerner & Loewe         
Chelsea Seener
 
What are you doing New Year’s Eve? – Loesser          
Rebekah Brannan
 
Have yourself a merry little Christmas – Martin/Blane    
Patrick Anderson

There is no cover charge  for the event but please register here to help the venue set up for the performance
​

November 29
6:30pm to 8pm
Forgotten Barrel Winery
in
Escondido
Keep checking here for the November 2023 Program
Performing 11/29:
Anna Belaya
Cynthia Leigh
Tiffany Brannan
Alexis Alfaro
Rebekah Brannan
Kerry Powell
Walter Ritter
Sophie Ghosn
Robert Sheaffer
Patrick Anderson

Alexandra Keegan is a Romani-American conductor who grew up travelling with her family where music was a big part of daily life. At the age of three Alexandra started playing violin, and soon music became her passion, her life, and her professional career.
 
Today, Ms. Keegan holds the position of the Artistic Director and Conductor for the Pacific Lyric Association. Her past opera works with PLA include “Il Trovatore” (2017), “Tosca”(2018), “Die Fledermaus”(2019), “Romeo and Juliette”(2021), and “Carmen”(2022).
 
Alexandra holds a Doctoral Degree in Music, and make appearances as a free-lance orchestral and opera conductor in US and abroad.
 
“The complexity of opera attracted me long before I became a conductor. This genre is the most complex and most beautiful of all. It combines academically trained voices with unlimited colours of symphony orchestra, theater lights, costumes, set, makeup, and tells us wonderful stories.” said Ms. Keegan in her interview with San Diego Voyager.

Meet Reyes Barrios, Flamenco dancer in La Traviata.

The professional biography of Reyes Barrios is crossed like a destiny written in the stars by her personal life, her precedent and her determination. 

​Vibrant and Powerful in her approach to Flamenco, La Reyes teaches and performs throughout Southern California and Mexico.

Raised in Sevilla, Spain, she was always surrounded by the ambiance, an “Aire” of song and dance.  Her approach is steeped in Purism with a modern twist...

To be Flamenco is to have another skin. other passions, other desires.

It is a different way of seeing the world, with music in one’s nerves, a fierce pride, and happiness mingled with tears; it is a loathing of routine and sameness; it is to be intoxicated in song, wine and kisses. 

It is the translation of life into an art of caprices and freedom.

The great opera LA TRAVIATA will be presented by Pacific Lyric Association Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 20-22 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.

LA TRAVIATA is a masterpiece written by Verdi, set in the luxurious party scene of 19th-century Paris and encompasses forbidden love, jealousy and loss. It is based on the play and book “La Dame aux camélias” (1852) by Alexander Dumas fils and has some of the most beautiful and dramatic music ever composed for the operatic stage. Famous pieces include "Libiamo", "Sempre libera" and Verdi’s heartbreaking duet "Pura siccome un angelo".

La Traviata means “The lost one” and refers to Violetta Valéry, a beautiful courtesan who after a year of sickness decides to throw a lavish party to celebrate her recovery. She is introduced to the young admirer Alfredo Germont who is one of the few who came to visit her at the hospital. However, as their romantic relationship evolves Violetta’s impure past comes to haunt her with the visit of Alfredo’s father Giorgio Germont.

Starring sopranos Emma Berggren and Yewon Ella Yoon as Violetta, tenors Gerardo Gaytan and Felipe Prado as Alfredo, baritones Carlos Oliva and Michael Sokol as Germont; the cast also includes Hiroko Yoshinaga and Kelsey Fahy as Flora, Jack Adkins and Shawn Taylor as Gastone de Letorieres, Thomas Lokensgard as Barone Douphol, Sara Frondoni and Lily Berthold as Annina, Stephen Blavet as Machese d’Obigny, Bryan Dahl as Dottore Grenvil and Robert Sheaffer as Giuseppe.

The opera is directed by Gabriel Reoyo Pazos and conducted by Alexandra Keegan.

Pacific Lyric Association is a Southern California opera company that presents fully-staged operas with orchestra, accessibly priced to the general public.

The signature format of the opera productions includes a spoken narrative in English before each large scene performed by a professional actor.

Pacific Lyric Association also has educational programs such as Opera Education, Opera Internship Program and Youth Symphony to provide extra support and professional training to upcoming young artists and opera industry professionals.

​Meet Thomas Lokensgard (bass-baritone), Thomas played Mr. Kofner in AVA’s production of “The Consul.”
Most recently, he played Sciarrone in AVA’s production of “Tosca.”

Mostly working in San Diego, Thomas regularly performs with the chamber choir SACRA/PROFANA, and will be debuting as Barone Duophol in Pacific Lyric Association’s production of “La Traviata” in the role of Baron