Bellisima Opera Presents A Night of Opera And Song at VPT 6/12, 6/13

Oak Park's Bellissima Opera returns to Village Players Theater with an all new program that includes a special guest appearance from the Fujima Ryu of Chicago. "A Night of Opera and Song" will perform one weekend only on June 12th at 3:00 p.m. and June 13th at 7:00 p.m. at Village Players Theater. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 866-764-1010 or online at village-players.org, Adults are $25, Seniors (65 and older) and Students (with ID) are $20, and children under 12 are $1, though the show is not recommended for children under 6.

Bellissima Opera was founded in 2006 by soprano Christine Steyer, tenor Franco Martorana and baritone Paul Geiger and has performed throughout the Chicago area as well as Southeast Michigan. "A Night of Opera and Song" will include such beloved songs of Tosti, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsokov, Rodgers and arias from La Boheme, Der Rosenkavalier, Die Meistersinger and The Ballad of Baby Doe. "What makes this particular piece so exciting is that it will be a cultural fusion, a sort of ‘east meets west' feel..." says Steyer. "A Night of Opera and Song" will have classic favorites and a traditional Japanese dance to the aria "Un bel di" from Madame Butterfly by artists from Fujima Ryu of Chicago. Also the World Premiere of a song by Chiacago composer Daniel Vines.

With Bellissima's tradition of adding narrations and anecdotes, anyone new to opera will enjoy "A Night of Opera and Song" and those that are veteran opera-goers will receive new insights to familiar pieces. Steyer says Belissima Opera "...creates shows that many people can see, at a price they can afford, and in a setting which is intimate. And by doing so, we hope to reach new audiences and preserve this art form that is so dear to our hearts." Another passion of Bellissima Opera is their dedication to children, since the launch of Bellissima Opera Outreach in 2009, they have performed for over 9,000 school children. "A Night of Opera and Song" will be accessible and enjoyable to audiences of all ages.
"A Night of Opera and Song" features the critically acclaimed talents of Christine Steyer, Franco Martorana, Paul Geiger, and pianist Jeffrey Panko. The program runs under 1 hour and 45 minutes including intermission.

All performances will be found at the Village Players Performing Arts Center, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. The theater is near the Harlem exit of I-290 and is also accessible by the CTA Green and Blue lines. Plenty of parking is available on the street. The theatre is handicapped accessible but please do call ahead to arrange for special seating. To make a reservation, please call the box office at 866-764-1010, view our website at www.village-players.org or visit the theater (the box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm).

About Village Players:

Village Players Theater, a non-profit organization founded in 1961, promotes the arts through theatrical productions and educational programs that encourage cultural understanding and embrace diversity in the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding communities. Village Players Theater is proud to be a vibrant part of Oak Park's cultural history, promoting a creative spirit that comes alive in its productions and educational programs. Each production features some of Chicagoland's most promising and talented professional performers and designers. Village Players Theatre is a member of the League of Chicago Theatre, the Illinois Theatre Association, and the West Suburban Theatre Connection.