Artisti Affamati of Chattanooga will host their first family opera night on Thursday, July 16, and Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Northside Presbyterian Church (923 Mississippi Ave.). The comic one-act opera "Doctor Miracle" will be presented in English and will feature a catered dinner by Jason Smith.
The opera takes place in a family home where daughter Loretta is madly in love with Captain Silvio (but her father, the mayor, is against her marrying a soldier). Hilarity ensues as the family takes on a new servant (who looks surprisingly like Captain Silvio) who serves them an omelette full of fluffy eggs and a top secret ingredient as well.
Artistic Director Sara Snider Schone says, "We chose this opera for several reasons but first and foremost to get kids to the opera. Our mission to keep opera alive and bring back grand opera really only works if we can appeal to the next generation of arts supporters. This is a great first opera for all ages because it is short but still has all the elements of a grand opera: beautiful music, costumes, ridiculous plots, and above all beautiful voices."
Starting their third full season this fall, Artisti Affamati began presenting operas in Chattanooga in 2013, not only to preserve the art form, but to provide professional events with a high level of quality that feature local performers. Earlier this year they shared "Cosi fan tutte" and "Die Fledermaus" with the Chattanooga community.
Running time for this professional production of "Doctor Miracle" is around 65 minutes and there will be both a kid-friendly activity during the show and a question and answer time after the show to engage the younger audience (and those new to opera). Subject matter is approved for all ages.
Thursday's menu is Chicken Florentine with sauteed Key West vegetables and au gratin potatoes.
Saturday's menu is bourbon-glazed pork tenderloin with sauteed, extra fine green beans and oven roasted potatoes.
Reservations must be made in advance and can be done through the website www.artistiaffamati.com or by contacting sara@artistiaffamati.com. Tickets are $20 for kids 5-12 and general admission is $30, which includes dinner.