See Opera Philadelphia's THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO for Free in 'Opera on the Mall' Broadcast

Opera Philadelphia's recently concluded new production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro was a hit with audiences and critics. Opera fans and the opera-curious who missed out on five spring performances at the Academy of Music will have another chance to experience the classic comedy, this time for free and al fresco, as Opera Philadelphia presents an HD broadcast of the opera on Saturday, September 23, at 7:00 p.m. as part of its annual Opera on the Mall series at Independence National Historical Park.

Opera on the Mall: The Marriage of Figaro, presented by PNC Arts Alive, is part of O17, Opera Philadelphia's inaugural festival featuring twelve days of operatic events all over the city from September 14-25. FREE tickets will be available to the public starting on Wednesday, August 23. You can score your free tickets to Opera on the Mall beginning at 10 a.m. at operaonthemall.org.

In what has become a beloved annual tradition to launch the fall cultural season in Philadelphia, our community will gather to enjoy one of the most popular operas of all time. Opera Philadelphia's 2016-2017 season-closing performance of Mozart's comedic masterpiece will be broadcast in high definition to two giant outdoor screens in the shadow of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Now in its seventh year, Opera on the Mall has been enjoyed by more than 25,000 members of the Philadelphia community.

This is the seventh year Opera Philadelphia will conduct a free broadcast at Independence National Historical Park, and the first time the event will part of the company's new annual fall opera festival.

Last year, some 4,000 guests enjoyed a broadcast of Puccini's Turandot from their picnic blankets and chairs. Event information is available at operaonthemall.org or by calling 215.732.8400.

Opera on the Mall is presented through PNC Arts Alive, a multi-year initiative of the PNC Foundation dedicated to supporting visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement in new and innovative ways. The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. To date, through PNC Arts Alive approximately $13 million in grants have been awarded to enterprising cultural organizations in four regions served by PNC. For more information, visit www.pncartsalive.com.