Curious students of various majors took time out after class to find out why “Opera is Awesome.”

The CIU Academic Success Center hosted the “Opera is Awesome” workshop that was led by The Palmetto Opera. The mission of the Columbia-based organization is to present professional opera to the Midlands and South Carolina, so that there is an entertainment, educational, and economic impact on the community and state.

The workshop was an interactive event for students that focused on the history of opera, and more specifically, the work of the “Barber of Seville” composed by Gioachino Rossini.

“Opera has been around for years and has served as mass entertainment since the late 1600s,” explained Dr. Fran Coleman of The Palmetto Opera and director of Voice and Choral Activities at Francis Marion University.

CIU freshman Riley Jones explained that she had no prior experience in opera but was intrigued by the event.

“I’ve done musical theater for a few years now, and I joined choir this year so I was interested in the music aspect of it.”

Each of the presenters sang arias from both acts of “The Barber of Seville” and concluded with a group number with the entire troupe. Students who attended the workshop received free tickets to attend an upcoming performance of the “Barber of Seville” in Columbia.

 “They’re amazing singers. It was so good, and I’m really excited to go see it this weekend,” said Jones.

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