OLV Young Artists Kick Off OLV’s 2017-18 Season Reveal

At a festive Season Reveal Party at the Classic Jewel on September 10, Opera Las Vegas announced a wildly diverse 2017-2018 season of operas and events.  The company plans to “present with passion” one biblical flood, two ugly stepsisters, three little pigs, beer and baritones, a Latin fiesta, a holiday on Broadway, legends in black, music at the Liberace Mansion, Italian street songs, Bernstein’s birthday, and a Rossini comic favorite.

The singers were some the area’s best, including soprano Athena Mertes (who brought down the house with hilarious The Dog of the Opera); mezzo Ashley Stone (nailing the show’s final La Cenerentola aria); soprano Marcie Ley (offering a radiant Bernstein selection); tenor Marco Varela (who dazzled with a riveting version of Granada); and baritone Travis Lewis (with a thundering Carmen Jones version of the Toreador Song).  All these tunes and more were expertly accompanied by pianist Spencer Baker.  General Director Jim Sohre brightly shined as the Season Reveal Master of Ceremonies.