Opera SLO gets intimate 

In the tradition of the legendary European salons of the 19th century—in which artists, writers, or philosophers gathered in elegant homes to exchange ideas and spark conversation—Opera SLO will debut a brand new salon series starting Sunday, April 15.

In addition to hosting performances by opera singers and musicians in some of the county’s finest homes and wineries, the series will encourage interaction between opera lovers and performers, creating an intimate, engaging experience. Each event will feature selections from beloved operas, followed by a post-concert reception, where guests are encouraged to mingle with the performers while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres. Below are the details.

• Sunday, April 15, 2-4 p.m. In an evening titled “Lovers, Scoundrels, and a Bit of Villainy,” soprano Elisabeth Russ will be joined by baritone Igor Vieira in performing several famous arias and duets, among them Don Pasquale, Hamlet, I Pagliacci, Magic Flute, Romeo et Juliette, and The Marriage of Figaro. Event takes place at Wind Dance, the Avila Valley Estates home of Michael and Shirley Ritter.

• Sunday, May 6, 5-7 p.m. “Lovers, Villians, Heroes, and Scoundrels I Remember.” Mezzo-soprano Jacalyn Kreitzer will perform selections from Ariadne auf Naxos, Die Walküre, Samson et Dalila, The Queen of Spades, Tristan und Isolde, Un Ballo in Maschera, Werther, and Xerxes. At Villa Filaree, the Varian Ranch home of Dennis and Sharon Harris Schneider.

• Saturday, June 30 6-8pm “Gilbert and Sullivan Extravaganza.” Richard Sheldon and his principle quartet from the Gilbert and Sullivan ensemble Opera A La Carte will deliver selections from H.M.S. Pinafore, Iolanthe, The Gondoliers, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, and more. At Tolosa Winery in Edna Valley.

Tickets to each recital are $75 per person, or $200 for the series. Call 541-5369 or visit operaslo.org.