Augusta Opera Bounces Back In Style

092409operawidein What: The Augusta Opera celebrated its revival Thursday night after canceling much of the last season. About 150 people packed into the dining room of the Partridge Inn for a fabulous “Night of Bel Canto.” The event, which sold out quickly when it was announced, featured opera singers who have performed around the world.

Gary Di Pasquasio, artistic director; Sandra Walker Brown, board president; Rebecca Blair, development chair (l to r).

Many of the singers had ties to the Augusta area, and some remembered fondly starting their careers in Augusta with the late Ed Bradberry, founder of the Augusta Opera.

Some singers began the evening performing on the verandah where silent auction items were displayed. Later, in the dining room, the singers walked from table to table, often including the diners in the action. They sang with great emotion and flair. Several times the crowd hummed along on favorite arias, and later they were encouraged to stand and clink their glasses as they joined in “The Anvil Chorus.”

The Symphony's Maestro Z talks with the Fleischers.

To help the opera get firmer financial footing, it plans a series of small performances, often in people’s homes. The next event is “Coming Home For the Holidays,” hosted by Judge and Mrs. H. Scott Allen, at 5 p.m. Dec. 20. It will feature opera’s next generation, young singers still honing their craft.

For future concerts the opera plans to draw on the rich vein of local talent to get people excited about opera again. Judging by Thursday’s gala event, the enthusiasm is already high.

Rebecca Blair, development chair.

“For now,” explained Sandra Walker Brown, President of the new Board of Directors, “We’re sort of tailgating it.”

Sandra also got off the line of the night. Losing her train of thought while talking about the future of the opera, she laughed and said, “My husband used to say I talk until I have an idea.”

Suzanne Vest, Secretary, and Kelly Jarrell, Acting General Manager, get ready for the auction.

Luckily, Sandra and Kelly Jarrell, Acting General Manager of the opera, had the idea to keep the opera alive when it closed its doors. Because of their work fanning the embers of Augusta Opera, the South’s oldest opera company is still alive and planning a rosy future.

If you missed this first event, you missed a grand evening. For information about future events keep an eye on the opera website: www.augustaopera.com.