Opera on the River is returning once again to its home on the banks of the St. Croix River in Lowell Park in downtown Stillwater! Festivities begin the previous weekend with St. Croix Valley Opera’s inaugural Opera on the River Vocal Competition on Saturday, July 31, and continue with a Performing Arts Fair Friday, August 6 through Saturday, August 7, culminating with the Grand Concert Saturday evening, August 7 at 7:00 pm. The Grand Concert is free and open to all—we encourage people to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets and enjoy an evening in the park! The evening will take the audience on a magical sunset trip down a river of music, from lush romantic arias, comedic duets, and rousing chorus numbers from some of opera’s classics, to fan-favorite musical theatre numbers. With live local instrumentalists and chorus members performing alongside headliners soprano Vanessa Becerra; Minnesota native mezzo-soprano Sarah Larsen; Minnesota native tenor Andrew Stenson; and baritone Luis Orozco, the concert’s memorable atmosphere will ensure that everyone in attendance will leave humming.

The Opera on the River Vocal Competition is open to unmanaged singers between the ages of 18 and 26. Full eligibility criteria can be found on SCVO’s website. The judging panel for the competition includes American dramatic soprano Margaret Jane Wray and local choir director Katelyn Larson. Modest cash prizes will be awarded to the singers who place first, second, and third, and there will also be a “People’s Choice” candidate selected by the spectators. The top two winning singers may also have an opportunity to perform in the Opera on the River Grand Concert the following week. The general public is invited to attend part or all of the vocal competition day, hosted at the Stillwater Area High School Auditorium.

Beginning Friday, August 6, SCVO will also host a Performing Arts Fair in Lowell Park that will include other music and arts organizations, non-profits, and schools from around the region representing their organizations to the crowd in the park. The performing arts fair serves two community-focused purposes by providing a platform for Opera on the River attendees to explore all of the arts offerings that our vibrant region has to offer, and by encouraging them to explore the Stillwater area and the downtown community of unique businesses and restaurants.

According to Obed Floan, SCVO’s Executive Director, “SCVO is very excited to bring the Opera on the River Grand Concert back home after such an isolating year! We’ve worked hard so that our expanded summer festival will enrich the supportive community of the greater St. Croix Valley and help them get to know all the exciting offerings there are throughout the region in the performing arts. Please join us for all the family-friendly festivities we’ve created around Opera on the River. We can’t wait to see you all there!”

Details:
Who: St. Croix Valley Opera (SCVO)

What: Opera on the River Vocal Competition
Where: SAHS Auditorium, Oak Park Heights, MN
When: Saturday, 7/31/21 – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Open to the Public for all or part of the day—$10 Suggested Donation at the door

What: Opera on the River Performing Arts Fair
Where: Lowell Park, Stillwater, MN
When: Friday, 8/6/21 – 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. to Saturday, 8/7/21 – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free to the public

What: Opera on the River Grand Concert
Where: Lowell Park, Stillwater, MN
When: Saturday, August 7, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free to the public