Opera is a new Front Royal entertainment attraction at the Osteria 510

Opera has come to Front Royal and is being enthusiastically embraced by SRO audiences at Osteria 510 at the intersection of South Street and South Royal Avenue.

Owner Vincenzo Belvi slipped a quartet of classical singers on to his menu about a year ago at the suggestion of a couple of customers who saw his authentic Italian kitchen as a backdrop for excerpts or condensed versions of world famous operas such as the one that played to packed houses last weekend – Puccini’s “La Boheme” – and will reprise by popular demand on Friday, March 24, at 6 p.m.

The ‘La Boheme’ cast: Nicholas Carratura, Mellissa Jean Chavez, Eliot Matheny, and Lindsay Espinosa. Photo by Chad Wines

Popular demand for opera in Warren County?

For sure, said David Freese, who with Ben Glenn spent several months putting a trio of local singers together, establishing programs, and selling the idea to Belvi who to date has offered opera nights including superb dining at his restaurant to sellout crowds since last May.

The unique programs are offered about every three months, the first a one-night stand last year; then two nights for the following two presentations; and now, a third night of “La Boheme” is being offered next month since almost a full house is already wait-listed.

“When I discovered the little hub of opera singers locally we wanted to try to get them in the spotlight,” Freese said, referring principally to Mellissa Jean Chavez, the outstanding soprano previously best known to area church groups; tenor Nicholas Carratura,also of Front Royal; and the baritone Elliot Matheney of Flint Hill.

As with “La Boheme,” artists such as soprano Lindsay Espinosa of Annapolis and Brenda Belohoubek, are invited in. Jan Wagner, director and conductor of the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, is keyboardist and conducts each show which comes with a four-course Italian dinner, the singers performing between courses.

How was it?

I’ve been to two of the shows, the first surprised me, the second was overwhelmingly entertaining but beyond my ability to critique. Growing up in the U.K., I saw maybe three operas on stage and none since.  For the classical music lovers in

Carol Barr’s autographed ‘La Boheme’ program – better hold on to that one, you know what ‘they’ say: Tomorrow the world (of opera).

the audience, it was an obvious thrill last Friday evening and my wife, a country music fan, was sufficiently impressed to get her program card autographed by all the artists.

What comes next?

David Freese has a musical evening in mind, tentatively titled “Opera’s Greatest Arias and Love Duets,” so bone up on your Italian.  Oh yes, Mellissa does a splendid job of explaining what is to come before each act, since “La  Boheme” is sung entirely in Italian.  A suggestion: perhaps a short written synopsis for audience members would be a helpful complement to Mellissa’s recitations, particularly to the uninitiated.

For further information: FrontRoyalSings@yahoo.com