NY OPERA CONSERVATORY: FREE July-August 2025 Summer Concert Series – Croton Free Library
The Taconic Opera summer program for emerging opera singers, New York Opera Conservatory (NYOC), offers you an opportunity to hear the upcoming generation of professionally trained singers as they gain valuable experience perfecting their craft in a leading role. Established in 2018, the NYOC helps to fill an unmet need among trained singers to gain hands-on experience through actual performance.
Each event in the series listed below – one tragedy and one comedy – will have a different cast, making every performance completely unique from all the others! Each performance includes the complete opera and is semi-staged (costumes, props).
July Opera: Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) – Verdi
What can happen when a king falls in love with the wife of one of his advisers? What does he do when a fortune teller reveals that she loves him too? Based on an actual event in Sweden, come and watch his unraveling in a dramatic yet gently comedic way. Since it’s Verdi, expect some outstanding arias and ensembles.
Dates: Wednesday, July 9, 7:00 pm
Friday, July 11, 7:00 pm
Sunday, July 13, 3:00 pm
August Opera: La Cenerentola (Cinderella) – Rossini
In this dramatic variation of the fairy tale, the Wicked Stepmother is replaced by a stepfather, the Fairy Godmother is replaced by a philosopher and tutor to Prince Charming, and Cinderella is identified not by a glass slipper but by a silver ring. It’s not the Disney story: the supernatural elements that traditionally characterize the Cinderella story were removed from Rossini’s libretto because they couldn’t be staged in his day. However, Taconic Opera will make it just as entertaining and endearing to watch!
Dates: Wednesday, August 13, 7:00 pm
Friday, August 15, 7:00 pm
Sunday, August 17, 3:00 pm
Location: Croton Free Library
171 Cleveland Drive
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Fee: FREE
For information about becoming a student in the NY Opera Conservatory, visit the Conservatory website: https://www.newyorkoperaconservatory.com/
For general information about Taconic Opera and NY Opera Conservatory events, visit the website: https://taconicopera.org/
About Taconic Opera
Mission Statement: To maintain and enhance an opera company focused on its own community both in its support of local artists and its commitment to local arts education; to provide high quality, affordable and accessible opera events to local residents. The purpose of the organization is to provide local artists, both professional and volunteer, with an opportunity to participate in the production and presentation of high-quality professional opera events that are accessible and affordable to the general public. Lead singers are trained and experienced professionals, many of whom have performed at the Metropolitan and New York City Opera companies, as well as nationally and internationally. Mainstage operas are presented each season that are fully staged with a full union orchestra and include supertitles (translations) above the stage. Additional events include concerts and recitals to round out the season and free opera lectures provided at local libraries and senior centers. Get-to-know-the-artist admission-free events are provided during the season and before mainstage operas in community locations such as bookstores, churches, community buildings, etc. These events allow for interaction between the performers and the audience in order to introduce this art form to persons with little or no exposure, or to enhance the appreciation of opera among persons who want to know more about it.