By Alejandra Serna, Florida Grand Opera

When trying something new, it’s recommended to not only to sample small doses, but to try the best. If you’re eating sushi for the first time, you don’t go the flash-frozen route or order an entire boat for yourself; you go to a reputable restaurant and try a piece of the best seller. If you’re going for a new cultural experience, like opera, the same rules apply – go where the talent is, have the best sellers, and try a smaller dose.

This is exactly what Florida Grand Opera (FGO) and the Florida International University (FIU) are bringing to the community in a one-night concert this Saturday, October 15 at 7:30pm. Entitled “An Evening of Dramatic Opera Scenes”, this concert offers a unique opportunity for opera lovers and novices alike to enjoy a sampling of the best and most beloved operatic pieces from talented local and national artists. “This will be a good one for people who are not familiar with opera … We’ll be doing the best parts of the best operas,” said Scott Trip, a student with the FIU Opera Theater. Among the songs that will be featured are favorites from Carmen, Luisa Fernanda, Le Boheme, Roméo et Juliette and other well-known works.

And, clearly, opera has just as much appeal to the young as to anyone else. All of the performers scheduled to sing on Saturday evening are in their 30s or younger, some current students completing voice studies with the FIU Opera Theater and the rest professional opera singers under FGO’s Young Artists Studio. To hear directly from the artists, check out the video of rehearsals above.

Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and FIU faculty/staff, and $5 for FIU students and Alumni Association members. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the FIU School of Music Box Office by calling 305-348-0496 or visiting https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/FIU2.