Union Avenue Opera’s new “Third Thursday” concert-series makes its debut this fall and takes place in some of St. Louis’ most beautiful homes and historic neighborhoods. However, all events are sold out, so you can call and get on a waiting list for the Magic Chef Mansion Oct. 18, Central West End Nov. 15 and Benton Park Dec. 20.
Price of admission includes libations (beer and wine) and dessert following each concert, while mingling with the artist and enjoying the fabulous architecture and decor. $100 Patron level tickets include reserved seating as well as a tax-deductible donation to UAO. Individual tickets are $40.
Participating singers include Jason Mallory, Sandra Geary, Debra Hillabrand, Leeann Scheuring, Anthony Heinemann, Marlissa Hudson, Gina Malone, Robert Souza, Jeanine Gareshe, Manuele Kaymakanova and Nancy May.
Call the office to get on the waiting list to reserve tickets, 314 – 361-2881. The office is closed on Fridays during the fall and winter months.
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Join us for this fall evening which features not only UAO’s remarkable singers but showcases three of our fine orchestra members in music written for voice, piano and instruments. Selections for this evening include: “Let the Bright Seraphim,” and “The Trumpet Shall Sound” by Handel and the moving “Shepherd on the Rock” by Schubert. The sounds of voice, trumpet, clarinet, and violin will echo through the exquisite white-painted 1897 Colonial revival Central West End home of Tony and Melanie Fathman. This elegant residence was designed by the elite Boston architectural firm of Shepley, Turan & Coolidge for railroad magnate Howard Elliott of New York.
Dec. 20
The
final concert takes place during the busy holiday season and provides the perfect opportunity to go back to a slower-paced time and enjoy the music of the season in John and Judith MacDonald’s 1890 fully-restored Victorian, decorated resplendently for the holidays in the Benton Park neighborhood. This cozy evening features a few of their most distinguished alums Alexandra LoBianco and Nikolas Wenzel singing Christmas favorites like “Gesu Bambino,” “O Holy Night,” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” After the concert enjoy Christmas cookies and mulled cider around the tree.
The Union Avenue Opera’s 25th season will include Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘The Sound of Music” July 5, 6, 12 and 13, starring Christine Brewer as the Mother Abbess; Puccini’s “La Boheme” on July 26, 27, Aug. 2 and 3; and Tom Sipullo’s “Glory Denied” on Aug. 16, 17, 23 and 24., the saga of Vietnam Veteran Co. Jim Thompson, the longest held American POW in U.S. history.
For more information, visit www.unionavenueopera.org
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.