The Michael Ballam Vocal Competition, a world-class opera sing-off, is one of many extra events that the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre will offer for its audiences during its upcoming 30th anniversary this summer.
LOGAN – In addition to their mainstage productions of two operas and four musicals, the Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre has a heavy schedule of extras planned for their 30th anniversary season.
Those additional events will start with The Pianists, an unpredictable concert of classic music mixed with comedy. That event is slated for 1 p.m. on July 13 at the Ellen Eccles Theatre.
Next comes Beyond Carmen, starring mezzo-soprano Audrey Babcock and guitarist Andrés Vadin on July 26 at 7:30 p.m.
In an homage to Bezet’s Carmen, Ms. Babcock will weave legends of the Old World into a 21st Century musical tapestry that spans generations and genres.
In the midst of the UFOMT season, the Utah Festival will host more than 20 talented artists in the Michael Ballam Vocal Competition, a world-class opera competition. This two-day event will be held at the Utah Theatre at 1 p.m. on July 27 for its semi-finals and at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 1 for its finals.
UFOMT impresario Ballam promises that the audience will help to select the winner.
Also on July 27, the Festival Opera’s orchestra and soloists will join the American Festival Chorus to present Carl Orff’s spectacular cantata Carmina Burana.
The cantata will be conducted by Dr. Craig Jessop at 7:30 p.m. in the Daines Concert Hall on the campus of Utah State University.
For an opportunity see the Festival Opera’s stars without make-up, stop by the Café Sabor for a late-night variety show.
That show will be performed on July 14, 21 and 28 at 11 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Café Sabor is located at 600 West Center Street.
On August 3, the UFOMT will present a Sentimental Journey, a salute to legendary crooner Frank Sinatra starring soloist Michael Corvino and the Festival Opera’s singers, dancers and orchestra.
With an orchestra conducted by James M. Bankhead, the UFOMT is billing this tribute as “a delightful trip down memory lane,” featuring all of Sinatra’s most beloved hits.
The event will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Ellen Eccles Theatre in downtown Logan.
In recognition of Sinatra’s movie career, the UFOMT will host a film retrospective of his movies at the Utah Theatre, running simultaneously with the Festival Opera’s live theater season in July and early August.
Finally, the UFOMT will participate in the Center Street Celebration, a day-long street fair on July 11.
That event will include a children’s art faire, street vendors, food and much more.
The UFOMT’s contribution to those festivities will include a 25-year celebration of its Opera By Children program; a 30-year anniversary tribute concert; and a silent movie at the Utah Theatre.