Lyric Opera performs selections

Many believe the opera is highbrow and stuffy.

Not so, said Joaquina Johnson of the Borgamaria Lyric Opera. To remedy this, the opera will perform an assortment of opera pieces this weekend to entice audiences and change the perception of the art form.

"We're calling (these shows) 'What? You Don't Like Opera?' because we are convinced people make a judgment call about opera," Johnson said. "Opera is the most complete of all the art forms. And when people come to (these shows), they will be smitten and want to come all the time."

Performing a series of pieces from operas — instead of a full-scale opera — makes it more accessible to audiences, she said.

"We will be performing some of your favorite arias from opera, operetta and musical theater," Johnson said. "It's a potpourri of music."

Selections include pieces by Puccini, Victor Herbert, Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin, and pieces from musicals such as "Sweeney Todd" and "Showboat."

"It's going to be a variety of music that people love to hear," Johnson said. "We will be performing in all languages and use supertitles for the pieces that aren't in English."

To reaffirm its commitment toward making the opera accessible to everyone, tickets to the shows are $10 for everyone — children, seniors and adults. "We want people to be there to experience a wonderful concert of vocal art."

In addition, the Brick Coffee House Café, the Cookie Tree and Umpqua Bank will sponsor gala receptions following the shows.

The Borgamaria Lyric Opera is now in its seventh year.

"The thing I'm most proud of is that in this community, we have managed to have enough support to maintain this little opera company for so long, and have been able to present to the community such a huge repertoire of opera," Johnson said.

The opera plans to stage a full-scale production in the spring: Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro."

"I'm really excited about (this weekend's concert)," Johnson said. "It's going to be a wonderful concert."