Opera Grand Rapids Presents BALLADS & BREWS Today

Opera Grand Rapids presents its inaugural event Ballads & Brews today, June 2 at the beautiful Goei Center, just before the company's season closing production of "The Student Prince" the following week.

Opera Grand Rapids invites the public to participate in a fun evening celebrating German heritage and West Michigan craft beer. All proceeds from the event support Opera Grand Rapids' mission year-round, to foster and fulfill demand for high quality, live opera in West Michigan.

As always, Opera Grand Rapids will offer an evening of entertaining live performances, including an exclusive preview from the cast of its upcoming production of "The Student Prince," on June 9, 10 and 12.

Guests can also expect a unique and stylishly paired beer dinner presented by Founders Brewing Company with tasty German cuisine in a welcoming setting suggestive of an open biergarten.

Ballads & Brews Chairman Peter F. Secchia says that the event is a fun way to create an interesting connection between opera and beer.

"This event is all about a fun environment for our guests to experience a German operetta and the wonders of our Beer City in a creative way," Secchia said.

Opera Grand Rapids hopes that Ballads & Brews is one of the many ways that it can enlighten the community with new ways to experience the art form.

"We want to make available to the community the many different facets of opera," General Director Anne Berquist said. "This event showcases one side of opera that can be experienced, in a cheerful setting that integrates the prized beer culture in West Michigan."

Opera Grand Rapids production of Sigmund Romberg's famed operetta, "The Student Prince" offers audiences a similarly light-hearted experience. Find out what happens when a prince who, destined to marry a princess, falls in love with a barmaid in a biergarten on his university campus.

Directed by Scott Skiba, praised for his innovative stage direction and clear storytelling, the operetta is a coming-of-age love story set in Heidelberg, Germany. Unique to the production will be original costumes designed by fashion studies students of Kendall College of Art and Design, as well as scenery reminiscent of West Michigan breweries.

"I'm thrilled that 'The Student Prince' will feature many talents from our community, such as original costume designs from local fashion students," Berquist said. "The students have also planned to incorporate some of their ideas into the Ballads & Brews event."

IF YOU GO:

BALLADS & BREWS

June 2, 2016

Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI

5:00 - 7:00 pm Strolling starters and craft beer sampling from Founders Brewing Company; live entertainment from the Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids Choir

7:00 pm Seated courses with a one-of-a-kind beer pairing presentation from Founders Brewing Company; exclusive preview performance of "The Student Prince" by the cast

Individual tickets $125

Sponsor tables for 8, available from $1500

Attire is Bavarian Chic

Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite and the Opera Grand Rapids Box Office, 1320 East Fulton, 616.451.2741. Included in the ticket price is strolling starters, a seated dinner and drinks with nearby accessible parking. VIP parking will be available. To learn more about Ballads & Brews, visit operagr.org/ballads-brews.

"The Student Prince"

by Sigmund Romberg

June 9, 10 & 12, 2016

St. Cecilia Music Center

Tickets for "The Student Prince" are available through Ticketmaster and the Opera Grand Rapids Box Office, (616) 451-2741 or 1320 East Fulton Street. For additional details, including cast lists and production synopses, visit operagr.org/the-student-prince.

Located in the heart of West Michigan, Opera Grand Rapids is the state's longest-running professional opera production company. Through the creativity and excellence of this timeless art form, Opera Grand Rapids enriches the West Michigan community and provides unique and powerful experiences that move people of all ages and backgrounds. Opera Grand Rapids' productions are produced and presented locally in West Michigan. For the productions, Opera Grand Rapids engages a cast of internationally acclaimed artists, stage directors, conductors, choreographers, set designers, costume designers, and others, in addition to the regional Grand Rapids Symphony, and Opera Grand Rapids Chorus and Children's Chorus.