Opera Festival readies debut

NORMAN — American tenor Paul Sperry will be a keynote speaker and performer this week at the University of Oklahoma's first Opera Festival.

The OU Opera Theater, OU Symphony and University Choir also are scheduled to participate in the festival Thursday through Sunday. The festival will conclude 3 p.m. Sunday with the annual President's Concert.

All events will be open to the public; most will be free of charge.

Sperry has premiered works from more than 30 American composers. Shames said a number of leading composers have written music especially for Sperry. He is scheduled to deliver the festival's keynote speech on Thursday, be featured in a recital Saturday, and on Sunday present a master class and narrate during the President's Concert.

The schedule for the Opera Festival, themed "Words and Music,” is:

•Thursday, 8 p.m.: Keynote address by Sperry followed by William Ferrara's "Cosi in Context,” a lecture-recital performed by students in Ferrara's Acting for Opera II class, Pitman Recital Hall in the Catlett Music Center. Free and open to the public.

•Friday, 8 p.m.: "Scenes from German Opera,” directed by OU vocal coach Lorne Richstone, Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center. Scenes will come from several German operas, including "The Merry Wives of Windsor,” "Impresario,” and "Tristan and Isolde.” Free and open to the public.

•Saturday, 8 p.m. — Recital of American song featuring Sperry and Shames, Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center. Free and open to the public.

•Sunday, 1 p.m. — Opera master class taught by Sperry, Room 128 of Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

•Sunday, 3 p.m. — Annual President's Concert includes performances by OU concerto competition winners and OU Symphony performance of Symphonie Fantastique, Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, faculty, staff and seniors and available at Catlett Music Center box office or by calling 325-4101.