Following a spectacular debut outdoors in 2021, Opera Edwardsville makes a return to its new summer stage for a second outdoor concert at Edwardsville City Park on September 30, 2022 at 7:30pm. A sensational line up of guest artists will perform operatic highlights and Broadway favorites --Bring your lawn chairs, tables, and picnics to enjoy opera under the starry night sky and the dazzling spotlights! Who knows, maybe the cicadas will join in chorus again this year!

With voices that shine as bright as the iconic spotlights, OE welcomes sopranos Emily Birsan and Sofia Troncoso, mezzo-soprano Emily Fons, and tenor Eric Ferring, with accompaniment from pianist and OE Artist-in-Residence, Joseph Welch. To celebrate OE's 5th Anniversary, Grammy Award-winning soprano and OE Artistic Advisor Christine Brewer makes a special guest appearance.

This event will feature state-of-the-art amplification provided by Chicago’s Aphorism Studios, led by audio engineer Dan Nichols, names Person of the Year by the Chicago Tribune in 2021 for Classical Music.

A post-concert champagne reception is planned at the Edwardsville Public Library for OE Season Sponsors and Donors, with a 5th Anniversary toast and artist meet-and-greet.

Emily Birsan, Soprano   "Bright and glittering" —Opera News

Sofia Troncoso, Soprano   "Sofia Troncoso’s delightful soprano is worth waiting for" —The Times

Emily Fons, Mezzo-soprano  Grammy nominated and lauded by Opera News as a "Rising Star"

Eric Ferring, Tenor    "An emerging tenor of considerable promise" —Chicago Tribune

Joseph Welch, Piano

With special guest appearance:

Christine Brewer, Grammy Award-winning soprano and OE Artistic Advisor