The gala, held Friday, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, will include a variety of ethnic food. There will be selections from places such as Asia, the Middle East, Germany, Sweden, America and Latin America. Over 25 restaurants are collectively donating food for the gala. The entertainment will feature similar variety.
“We have 22 performers, every kind of music ranging from jazz to opera, and a mix of guest artists,” Elizabeth Aversa, professor emerita and coordinator for the University of Alabama Opera Guild, said. Performers include current UA opera students, recent alumni from all over the country and special guest artist James Bobick.
Bobick, a baritone who has performed professionally in the New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, and Opera Pacific, will be on campus to teach a master class, but has also agreed to perform at the gala.
“Our opera productions cost money,” Jen Stephenson, a third-year doctoral student of the opera program, said. “Costumes, sets, print programs, orchestra parts, advertising and optional costs like a better lighting board, bringing in professionals to teach classes, all cost money.”
Stephenson will perform as a featured artist at Friday’s gala.
The gala is nearly sold out. Tickets are $75. For more information on purchasing tickets, visit uaoperaguild.org
