June 11, 2010

Music Festival opera coming to McKendree College

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois Music Festival, based at the School of Music at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, comes to Lebanon again this year, this time with a summer tale of romance.

Edward Benyas, professor and conductor, brings the Southern Illinois Music Festival Symphony Orchestra to the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts at McKendree College with the Romeo and Juliet Opera.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on June 26. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for senior citizens, $6 for students. Reserve tickets ahead at 618/537-6863 or purchase tickets before the performance at the door.

The festival follows Charles Gounod’s take on the Romeo and Juliet opera, with an additional touch. The opera is set in the Southern Illinois of 100 years ago. The star-crossed lovers face a racial divide rather than one created by quarreling families.

Visit www.sifest.com for a complete schedule and for performer biographies.