Opera Company of Middlebury Hosts MEET THE SINGERS May 22

The Opera Company of Middlebury, now in its 8th season, has become a popular stop for talented young opera singers seeking supERB Productions and a lovely area in which to spend some time. But there's another attraction.

"When these singers come to Middlebury they immediately feel as if they're part of the community," says OCM artistic director Douglas Anderson. "They love it here because they make a lot of friends in the area, which is unusual, and one reason for that is Meet the Singers."

The annual Meet the Singers event will take place on Sunday, May 22, at the historic Middlebury Inn. The event begins at 5:00 pm.

Fourteen professional singers will come to Middlebury this year to perform in Puccini's La Rondine, which will be performed at Town Hall Theater from June 3-10. Several are returning from past seasons. "It's like a family here," says Anderson. "For many of these singers it's like coming home."

The first hour of Meet the Singers is a reception honoring the visiting singers. Over drinks and hors d'oeuvres, local people meet the singers and chat about everything from their hometowns to their favorite operas.

In the second hour, each singer performs a favorite aria. The event becomes an extraordinary concert, an absolute must for opera lovers.

Meet the Singers will take place on Sunday, May 22, at the Middlebury Inn. The event begins at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $25, and can be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sat, noon-5 pm) and at the door, if available.