(Photo by Carolyn Bowers of last year’s performance of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas)
One of the sweetest sounds of Spring for nearly two decades in Southport has been the popular Opera Sunday program presented by Dr. Nancy King, UNCW Professor and Chair, Department of Music, and her students. That’s why FOLSOI is delighted to announce that, after a necessary “intermission” due to COVID-19, their 19th performance is now on the calendar – but not this year’s.
Dr. King and the wonderfully talented UNC-WOOP! students (that’s UNCW’s Opera Outreach Project) have promised to entertain us once again next year, on Sunday, March 6, 2022.
Opera Sunday is a perennial favorite with both opera fans and those who have never heard of Puccini or Rossini. That is because Dr. King shares her vast knowledge of the composers and the arias that her students sing in the wonderfully entertaining way that only she can.
Longtime opera buff, Gibby Wilson, said, “I’m already looking forward to 2022, when Nancy King brings her WOOPS performance (informative, very talented and entertaining) LIVE opera back to Southport!” Linda Jenkins, another 18-year supporter, said, “Since the first visit by the marvelous Nancy King and her talented students, we have enjoyed each fun filled and enriching afternoon of opera.”
To help support this and all the other FOLSOI sponsored library programs, please visit their website at https://folsoi.org and become a Friend.
Hearing the talented voices of the students and entertaining commentary of their leader has become a tradition which we will miss this year. However, young voices raised in song can not be silenced for long. We’ll look forward to them coming back even stronger next year.
We do too, Kim! Thank you for your support!
Southport will no doubt miss Opera Sunday this year. But how exciting that it returns in 2022! Nancy King and her students are fantastic! Everyone should mark their calendars now! And consider becoming a Friend of the Library to keep programs like this coming back year after year!
We couldn’t agree more, Beth! Our FOLSOI members make Opera Sunday possible and we can’t wait for March 6, 2022.
I’m so disappointed that we will have to wait for 2022 to attend Opera Sunday. I was visiting Southport and was invited to attend the performance. Having never been to an opera I was not sure I would enjoy it but what a pleasant surprise! Having Nancy explain the story before the students performed was wonderful for a first time attendee. I will definitely mark my calendar for 2022.
So glad you enjoyed the program which will be in it’s 19th year next year. UNCW-Opera Outreach Program has incredibly talented performers and FOLSOI is thrilled to bring this wonderful program to our community FREE thanks to our members. Thank you for joining us and supporting the arts and our libraries!
Attending this event last year was a perfect introduction to Opera! Nancy King does a wonderful job explaining the story, history, and style of the pieces. It is a win-win for the students to have an opportunity to perform in front of an appreciative and intimate audience.
Additionally, it was a pleasure to meet so many of FOLSOI’s volunteers and supporters. Looking forward to doing that again in 2022!
As one of the students getting to particiate in this I cannot begin to express my disappointment that we can’t come perform this year! Everyone is so welcoming and suportive and we couldn’t ask for a better audience! I so appreciate getting to come when I did and I look forward to coming back next year!
Thank you, Zoe, for sharing your time and talents with your many fans in Southport. We can’t wait to welcome you and your fellow students back to Southport for Opera Sunday 2022!
I can’t wait to see this! Thank you, FOLSOI, for all you do for our community!
There is so much to love about this program. Nancy King has warmth, humor, and abiding love of opera that propels her to share it with people who may not know the difference between a cabaletta and an aria, but it matters not. She brings life to an old art that is vanishing and creating new fans each year when she makes her presentation. I’ve missed it for the past many years because I’ve been in FL. I will not miss it in 2022.
We couldn’t agree more, Toby and look forward to seeing you on March 6, 2022. Many thanks for your continued support!