Chris Loschen (click to enlarge)
Susan Ketteringham (click to enlarge)
Lincoln residents and longtime Opera51 company members Chris Loschen and Susan Ketteringham will take the stage in Gounod’s 1867 opera Romeo and Juliet in performances on Thursday to Saturday, June 10-12 at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord.
Loschen plays the role of the Duke and Ketteringham is in the Montague chorus in this benefit production that supports operation of the 51 Walden facility, home to the Concord Players, the Concord Orchestra, and the Concord Band.
This is the 10th annual operatic fundraiser for 51 Walden, following recent well-received productions of La Bohème, The Merry Widow, La Traviata, and L’Elisir d’Amore. It is presented in a fully costumed and staged performance with full orchestra, sung in French with English surtitles. The lush, elaborate costumes set in Renaissance times have been painstakingly custom-made for this production. Some performers engage in sword and dagger play on stage (requiring much rehearsal time!) while others have learned Renaissance dance and gestures. Robin Farnsley is artistic director and sings the role of Juliet, and Alan Yost, who has led all productions since the series began in 2007, conducts.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 ($25 for students and seniors) and can be purchased online at www.opera51.org or www.51walden.org, or by calling 978-369-7911.