SAVANNAH — VOICE Festival organizers recently announced a week-long celebration, “A Prelude to the Festival,” Jan. 25-Feb. 2 in and around Savannah.
The event is part of the build-up to the second annual festival, which will be Aug. 1-17.
“Prelude” begins with a 90-minute concert at 3 p.m. Jan. 25 at Christ Church, 28 Bull St. in Savannah featuring opera, musical theater and popular song. Tickets for the Christ Church concert are $25 each. The full schedule and artist lineup for the VOICE Festival will be revealed at the end of this event. Reserved seating will be available for VOICE Society members.
“Prelude” week will continue with community outreach in Savannah schools and a free video screening of “Homage to Verdi” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Congregation Mickve Israel, 20 E. Gordon St. in Savannah. Metropolitan Opera baritone Sherrill Milnes will present the documentary.
At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Lucas Theatre, VOICE Festival singers will perform in the Puccini opera, “La Boheme” in the Savannah Philharmonic’s special “Scenes de la vie Boheme.” Tickets are at www.savannahphilharmonic.org.
During “Prelude” week, special performances also will be held in Florida and South Carolina, including at 5 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Circle Square Cultural Center at On Top of the World in Ocala, Fla.
The week concludes at First Presbyterian Church at 540 William Hilton Parkway on Hilton Head Island with Milnes’ master class at 3 p.m. Feb. 1 and “An Afternoon of Beautiful VOICES” concert at 3 p.m. Feb. 2.
Both events will be free, but donations will be accepted to assist with VOICExperience with scholarships and community service.
To buy tickets or for more information, go to www.savannahvoicefestival.org, email info@savannahvoicefestival.org or call 855-76-OPERA.