The Western Illinois University School of Music Opera Theatre, under the direction of Associate Professor of Voice Penelope Shumate, will present "Opera in the Park," at 5 p.m. Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 in Macomb's Chandler Park.

Both performances are open free to the public.

The concert will feature WIU School of Music voice students sophomore Natalie Nanninga, of Plymouth, IL; Wesley Oliver, a junior, of Springfield, IL; junior Joshua Pitt, of Racine, WI; graduate student Matthew Scheuermann, of Quincy; senior Lillian Schierbrock, of West Point, IA; graduate Catherine Sulla, of Macomb; and senior Mariah Walker, of Alton, IL; with WIU Collaborative Pianist Joanne Chang, performing scenes from the operas

The productions contains scenes from the operas "The Magic Flute," Bastien und Bastienne, Le Nozze di Figaro," and "Così fan tutte," by Mozart, "L'elisir d'amore," by Donizetti, "Hänsel und Gretel," by Humperdinck, "Regina," by Blitzstein, and scenes from Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas "The Mikado and Patience."

As stage director, Shumate is assisted by WIU music students senior Gracelynn Norgaard, of Shiloh, IL, serving as assistant to the director, and senior Edie Wester, of Adair, IL serving as the marketing assistant.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to bring opera and operetta out of the music venue and into the community," said Shumate. "I hope people will be excited to come out and hear these talented artists of WIU."

Audience members are asked to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the concert and to follow safe mask and distancing protocols. In case of rain, the performances will be live-streamed from the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall.

For up-to-date information, follow the WIU Opera Theatre on Facebook.