WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – New Jersey Lyric Opera (NJLO) returns to Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre for the third consecutive year with a weekend of opera favorites on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus, Aug. 7-10, during the Summer Opera Festival. 

The festival weekend features presentations by talented artists from the tri-state region and beyond for two live operas, Carmen and La Boheme, plus the Gala Spectacular, a showcase of opera favorites. 

The opera weekend kicks off with Carmen (Thursday, Aug. 7 and Friday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.), a story of unstoppable passion and sizzling drama with alluring melodies, including the famous Habanera. Sung in French with English subtitles, the story revolves around Carmen, a captivating and independent Romani woman, and Don José, a naive soldier, who is consumed by his obsession with her, leading to tragic consequences. The performance stars soprano Sarah Joseph, who sings Micaela, and tenor Chris Lorge singing the role of Don José.

 The festival continues with the Puccini opera La Boheme (Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m.), the story of young, impoverished artists and their loves in 19th-century Paris, particularly focusing on the relationship between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimì. The performance is sung in Italian with English subtitles, featuring John Paul Durazzo returns as Alcindoro, Franchesca Solis as Mimi, and versatile baritone Chaka Allen as Marcello. 

Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7: 30 p.m. features the Festival Night Gala, a visually-stunning, immersive, cinematic program with live, on-stage performances including opera favorites, paired with rare opera gems. (With English subtitles.) 

Tickets $26.50 per event, or $75 for all three, and may be purchased online at KelseyTheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333.

Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the Theatre. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

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Kelsey Theatre is located on the MCCC campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor Township. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theatre. Assisted listening devices are available upon request.

For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey Theatre website, or call the box office for a brochure.

At Kelsey Theatre, we have pledged to take active steps in creating true diversity, equity and inclusion in our productions through systemic policy change and individual accountability -- aiming to foster an inclusive environment for people of all races, genders, nationalities, creeds, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and abilities.” –The Kelsey Team

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New Jersey Lyric Opera returns to Kelsey Theatre for the Summer Opera Festival, Aug. 7-10, opening Thursday, Aug. 7, with the Puccini classic La Boheme (pictured)..