On April 3, 6, 8 and 10 we'll be treated to Opera Southwest's production of Rossini's delightfully zany Il Turco in Italia at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. And then . . .

The students of the UNM Opera Theatre present "L'Elisir d'Amore" by Donizetti. Enjoy an evening of beautiful "bel canto" and poignant comedic moments. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, this production is in collaboration with the UMM Concert Choir and the UNM Symphony Orchestra, April 29, 30 at 7:30 pm and May 1 at 2 pm in Keller Hall. Ticket prices are $5, $10, and $15. Directed and produced by Leslie Umphrey and Sam Shepperson. The UNM Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Jorge Perez-Gomez with Music Director, Dr. Kristin Ditlow and UNM Concert Choir conductor, Juan Hernandez.

Readers who attended the two 2016 Italian Festival events will surely remember Ty Cox, the brilliant and versatile young baritone who lit up those evenings. In L'Elisir, Ty will be playing the role of Belcore, a sergeant who is both pompous and very flirtatious, whose goal is to marry the beautiful lead soprano, Adina. Read what Ty says about the role: It's my first time performing this role and I am absolutely in love with the character, because it's always fun to play someone completely different from myself when I'm off-stage. Most importantly, the music is absolutely phenomenal. Whenever we get to a point in the opera where we can "park and bark," which means to simply stand and sing, it's wonderful to just listen to the voices singing in harmony around you and take in all that energy. It's going to be a fantastic show! . . . With a testimonial like that it's hard to resist making plans to be there. Put it on your calendars!