STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTO BY JONATHAN COLLINS
Opera Idaho will feature Idaho’s own opera star—soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez—in a free outdoor concert Saturday, July 10, in Boise.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at the Gene Harris Bandshell in Julia Davis Park. The bandshell was recently refurbished after being heavily damaged by an arson fire.
In addition to Lopez, who grew up in Rupert, the concert will feature mezzo-soprano Tahanee Aluwihare, tenor Ben Gulley, baritone Ryan Bede and conductor Andy Anderson. It also will feature the Opera Idaho Opera Chorus and Orchestra.
Hosting the event will be frequent Opera Idaho performer Leslie Mauldin and KTVB's TV anchor Mark Johnson.
The concert will feature highlights from Idaho Opera’s upcoming season, which will include “The Merry Widow,” “Carmen” and “Dead Man Walking.” Among the songs: “Granada", made popular by The Three Tenors and selections from “West Side Story", “Beauty and the Beast” and "State Fair.”
Attendees are invited to bring a blanket, lawn chair and picnic. Unvaccinated people are encouraged to wear masks and socially distance.