'West Side Story' and 'Barber of Seville' are part of Indianapolis Opera's 50th season
Indianapolis Opera will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a lineup of famous classics including "The Barber of Seville" and "West Side Story."
And while shows like that are in demand, the heart of this special season centers on the people who have made productions like this possible for 50 years and the venues where audiences have come together, General Director David Starkey said.
"What's the perfect show? There really wasn't one. I mean, this company has done almost all the major works," he said. "What do you choose? It could have been a long list. So we feel that it's about the people. We feel like it's about celebrating also the venues."
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To that end, the opera has programmed a 50th Anniversary Legacy Gala Concert next spring that will be a homecoming for star vocalists who have performed with the company over the years as well as members of the members of the Indianapolis Opera Chorus and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They'll sing classic favorites and lyric theater hits.
Season tickets for the performances will go on sale June 3 at indyopera.org. Prices for individual shows range from $39 to $92.
Here's what's in store for Indianapolis Opera's 50th anniversary season:
Opera in the Park
Sept. 7 at MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park
Renowned soprano Angela Brown, Maestro Alfred Savia, and more Indianapolis Opera stars and guests will perform in the free annual event.
'The Barber of Seville'
Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at the Tarkington Theater at the Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel
The comedic opera follows barber Figaro, who helps Count Almaviva and Rosina escape her guardian. It's full of recognizable melodies, including the Overture to "Largo al factotum" and "Una voce poco fa."
'West Side Story'
May 9, 10 and 11, 2025 at the Indianapolis Zoo in the Bicentennial Pavilion
The classic story, set in 1950s New York, follows the love story of Tony and Maria as they try to overcome the racial prejudice from rival gangs in their neighborhood.
Special events
Buy tickets and find more information at indyopera.org.
14th Annual Lobster Palooza: Lobster and All That Jazz: July 13 at the Basile Opera Center
4th Annual Opera Cabaret: Oct. 9 at Union 50
Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition: Noon Jan. 11, 2025, at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center
50th Anniversary Legacy Gala Dinner & Concert: With returning Indianapolis Opera stars, Indianapolis Opera Chorus members and the Indianapolis Symphony. 5 p.m. March 22, 2025, at the Columbia Club and Hilbert Circle Theatre
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'West Side Story' and more part of Indianapolis Opera's 50th season
