Tickets are now available for the Fresno Opera and Orchestra Summer Academy (FOOSA) performances of “Pagliacci” and “Cavalleria rusticana” at the Fresno State Concert Hall, Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Each concert date includes fully staged performances of both operas. Tickets are $35 ($15 for students).

Tickets can be purchased online.

FOOSA, which is in its inaugural year, was designed to offer student musicians and singers the unique opportunity to work side-by-side with professionals to receive real-world experience in the field of music.

Created and led by Artistic Director Thomas Loewenheim, FOOSA is a partnership between Fresno State’s College of Arts and Humanities and the Youth Orchestra of Fresno, offering hands-on experience for students while providing the public with affordable artistic performances and exposure to the arts.

Orchestra and voice students from all over the country, as well as a few international students, auditioned to be a part of the intensive 100-student program where they work with professional musicians and opera singers to hone their musical talent and develop performance skills.

The FOOSA orchestra is conducted by Loewenheim and the stage production is directed and produced by Anthony Radford.

“Pagliacci” is an opera in a prologue and two acts, with music and Italian libretto by Ruggero Leoncavallo. The cast includes tenor Scott Piper as Canio, soprano Laura Pedersen as Nedda andbass-baritone John Minagro as Tonio. Student soloists include Constantine Pappas as Silvio and Achilles Bezanis as Beppe.

“Cavalleria rusticana” is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni. The cast includes Piper as Turridu and Pedersen as Santuzza. Student soloists include Isabel Contreras as Mama Lucia, Christina Swanson as Lola and Andrew Hernandez as Alfio.

For more information, call 559.275.6694 or email office@youthorchestrafresno.org.

Related Links: