For the eighth consecutive year, Knoxville Opera will bring a staged opera into East Tennessee schools in January. This season’s production, scheduled to be experienced by 8,000 students in six counties, is a 40 minute, abridged English-language version of Donizetti’s 1835 opera Lucia di Lammermoor.

“It is our privilege to share the glorious music and drama of popular operas with students in their schools,” said Knoxville Opera’s Executive and Artistic Director, Brian Salesky. “For many of them, this will be their first experience with opera or professional theatre of any kind. It is most gratifying to see the enthusiastic reactions to the vocal performances of our superb guest artists. Having already performed in-school operas for over 50,000 students, I know the tremendous impact it has on them. Their curiosity and excited participation confirms the value of our in- school programs which also include presentations of Opera 101 and the African-American Voices Series. We are often impressed by the curiosity and intelligent questions asked during the post- performance Q&A. It is our hope that these programs will inspire a love of musical theatre in each student and that they will take advantage of our free student tickets to dress rehearsals and performances at the magnificent Tennessee Theatre.”

Teachers have already received a Teacher Guide to help prepare students for the performances. After watching the tale of a star-crossed romance set in 16th century Scotland, each student will receive information about the full version of Lucia di Lammermoor which will be performed at the Tennessee Theatre on February 22 and 24. The complete opera will be sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage and students are invited to take photos with the cast on stage after the performances.

The free student admission Final Dress Rehearsal takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20. Accompanying adults pay just $5 cash at the door. A limited number of free student tickets to the performances are available by calling Knoxville Opera at (865) 524-0795, ext. 251.

Knoxville Opera’s entire January schedule for public Education & Community Engagement programs follows: