The Savannah VOICE Festival unveiled the lineup for its 2018 season, which boasts an impressive array of over 30 concerts, classes, operas, outreach and other events slated to unfold this August.

The sixth annual festival, themed “Stories Great & Small,” will be staged Aug. 4-26 in and around Savannah, featuring music from opera, musical theater and popular song. This will mark the second year of the festival’s expansion to three weeks, treating attendees to several extra days of delightful musical offerings. Through his VOICE Programs, legendary baritone Sherrill Milnes will take attendees on a lighthearted journey through memorable concerts featuring over 100 artists from 15 countries, who will share operatic stories from the past and present, and modern songs of today.

Once again, SVF is partnering with the Westin Savannah Harbor for the sixth year. The four-star resort and spa, conveniently situated atop Hutchinson Island on Savannah’s historic riverfront, plans to transform an area of the hotel into a vocal conservatory for the duration of the Festival and will host various events.

The SVF will kick off its exploration of “Stories Great and Small” through “Pages in a Book” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Westin Savannah Harbor Ballroom, 1 Resort Drive on Hutchinson Island. This introductory concert and buffet dinner will feature this season’s Festival Artists presenting music from the 2018 line-up. 

The annual crowd favorite, “Death, by Aria, Parts I and II” will introduce the audience to cast members of “Hansel and Gretel,” “Speed Dating Tonight!” and “The Audition Project.” The singers of these three events will present their best songs and arias in this fast-paced showcase of talent on Sunday, Aug. 5 where the Festival began, Christ Church Episcopal, 28 Bull St. at Johnson Square. This non-stop celebration of the voice will wow both “die hard” fans and newcomers to the Festival.

Giving back to the Savannah community remains a priority for SVF. For a second season, “VOICES in Sacred Song” will be a free community concert. This concert will be presented by Savannah’s own Timothy Hall at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6 at First Presbyterian Church, 520 Washington Ave. Come hear the beautiful voices of the festival in this inspirational concert of sacred music of old and new.

As part of the intensive programs of the Festival Season, opera industry leaders will offer the next generation of artists tools to improve their performance during hour-long mini master class sessions. The free mini master class series provides attendees with the opportunity to meet the faculty members of the VOICExperience Programs while learning more about vocal music, technique and about the “masters” themselves. These “Master Minis” will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 9, Monday, Aug. 13, and Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Westin Savannah Harbor, 1 Resort Dr.  

The Salon Series returns at the historic Green Meldrim House with “Summer Blooms” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at 14 West Macon St. This VOICE Society exclusive event will include an hour-long concert followed by an elegant supper and champagne reception. During this salon, painter George Konstantinidis will share what inspires his floral paintings as SVF artists interpret flower-themed music by various composers.

At 6 and 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Davenport House Kennedy Pharmacy, 324 E. State St. SVF will present Gian Carlo Menotti’s one-act opera, “The Telephone.” This opera tells the story of a young woman obsessed with the new technology of the telephone, so much so that her boyfriend cannot get a word in to propose to her. Festival favorites from last year’s Barber of Seville James Wright and Meechot Marrero star in the opera and guests enjoy pre-opera entertainment with other telephone-related pieces, accompanied by the presentation of Menotti’s one act opera. Tickets for the opera start at $22.

Each artist has a story, and some of them are just beginning. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Yamacraw Center for the Performing Arts, 649 W. Jones Street, Camp VOICE director Jessica Ann Best will present young singers in a final showcase featuring fresh takes on classic songs and scenes in “Camp VOICE Showcase – Stories of Old and New.”

Pianist Dan Gettinger returns to lead one of the most popular concerts of the Festival with new stories to tell in “Broadway Tales” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at Asbury Memorial UMC,1008 E. Henry St. This lively performance explores the stories that have crossed over from the opera world to Broadway. SVF artists bring a piece of Broadway to Savannah during this 90-minute revue of musical theater favorites.

“It’s a Funny Story – Marco Nisticò in Recital” will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 at the Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. Praised for his comic pieces by the New York Times, baritone Marco Nisticò presents a dynamic recital showcasing the full range of style and drama. Curated by Nisticò himself, this recital features delightful story telling mixed music by Italian composers such as Guiseppe Verdi, Paolo Tosti, and more.

In an extravaganza of virtuosity and brilliance, the faculty of the VOICExperience training programs will present “Masters in Recital” at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 at the Westin Savannah Harbor, 1 Resort Drive. These leaders of the industry take a pause from their week of training young artists to perform stunning piano solos, breathtaking arias, and a few fun surprises.

Named “an operatic superstar of the 21^st century,” renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves is one of the most exciting artists singing and teaching today. Her iconic portrayals of classic characters like Carmen and Dalila have been staples of her career. Graves experience extends beyond opera into musical theatre and popular music. Graves will present a “Master Class” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 E. Broad Street. During this Master Class Graves will share her knowledge with the next generation of great artists.

Universally acclaimed as the foremost baritone of his generation, Sherrill Milnes is truly a master of the operatic art form. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Milnes has sung with the likes of Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Joan Sutherland and is considered a prominent artist of opera’s “Golden Age.”  At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 East Broad St. Milnes will present a “Master Class” to SVF artists in a theatrical setting as he imparts wisdom on interpretation and performance.

After two weeks of perfecting their audition package, singers will perform for a distinguished panel to learn just what can take them to the next level at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 East Broad St. Audiences will be able to gain insight into the mind of the auditioner and the auditioned during this unique concert, “The Audition Project.”

What began as a collection of songs by brother and sister Engelbert Humperdinck and Adelheid Wette is now one of the most performed children’s operas in the world. SVF will present “Hansel and Gretel” at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 at the Yamacraw Center for the Performing Arts, 349 W. Jones St. This performance, which will have Savannah-Chatham County School in attendance as part of the SVF’s Education and Outreach initiative, will take the audience along for a journey through the forest as this fairy tale is brought to life with beautiful music in this family-friendly show presented in collaboration with Esther F. Garrison School students. The opera will be performed in English with a live orchestral ensemble. SVF will provide a second opportunity for audiences to attend “Hansel and Gretel” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 also at the Yamacraw Center for the Performing Arts. Special student and military tickets priced at $15 will be available at the door on the day of each concert to make performances accessible to all.

From “Alice Ryley” to “Anna Hunter”, SVF’s composer in residence Michael Ching has become a staple to the Festival. This year, SVF will present another one of Ching’s works, “Speed Dating Tonight” at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 E. Broad St. This relevant and popular opera is being performed all over the nation and introduces people to all the characters you might run into at speed dating. From the exercise maniac, the hurt ex, the reclusive cat lady, and the technology addict, daters will tour around Savannah as they meet up against local backdrops for this quirky, funny, and surprisingly emotional production.

Discover opera’s darkest gems in “Madness and Mayhem” at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 E. Broad St. This concert features mad scenes, villainous plots and unhinged characters. The SVF artists will perform chilling moments of insanity to funny foibles from various operas, conducted by Andrew Bisantz. The vocal acrobatics and intense drama of these impressive selections will awe audiences and feature some new talent to SVF’s sixth season.

The Salon Series will continue with “Stories on the Gondola” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 at the Green Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon St. During this exclusive VOICE Society event the SVF artists will embark on a musical tour of the birthplace of opera, la Repubblica Italiana. Guests will enjoy an hour-long concert followed by an elegant supper and champagne reception.

As a classic offering and gemstone of the Festival Savannah Opera, SVF will provide the opportunity to experience the tragedy of a hopeless romance in the most performed opera of today, Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 E. Broad St. This timeless story is staged by Metropolitan Opera’s renowned director Fabrizio Melano in its traditional Parisian setting and musically led by last season’s Barber of Seville conductor, Jorge Parodi. International artists Micaëla Oeste, Santiago Ballerini, Marco Nistico and Jessica Ann Best will come together to bring this gorgeous tragedy to life.

A special Master Class led by SVF Executive Director Maria Zouves and Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus’ Piano in the Arts Artistic Director Benjamin Warsaw will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Armstrong Campus Auditorium, 11935 Abercorn St. This unique master class explores the relationship between piano and voice, and the effort and communication that must take place when they collaborate. This event is free and open to the public.

SVF will present the tenor concert “Kings of the High C’s” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 E. Broad St. Led by Dan Gettinger, this fantastic performance shows tenor bravado that makes leading ladies and audiences swoon. From Nessun dorma to O Sole Mio, none of the audience’s favorites will be left out of this thrilling concert.

Audience members can travel back in time to the Age of Aquarius with “Fab ‘Four’ The Festival” at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24 at the Charles H. Morris Center, 10 E. Broad St. This concert, celebrating the vibrant music of the 60s, will feature SVF artists and Savannah’s own Elite Party Band performing hits by the era’s most memorable performers, including the ‘Fab Four.’

The 6^th annual SVF will conclude with the Festival Finale “Stories Great and Small” at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 at the Plantation Club at the Landings, 1 Cottonwood Dr. After three weeks of sharing stories, the SVF artists will gather one last time for this special concert featuring highlights of the season, glimpses of what is to come and a grand finale Gala dinner. The 2019 Savannah Opera Season will be announced as the Festival says goodbye “until the next time”!

Some Festival events will be free with other individual events offering tickets from $22 to dinner events up to $125. Tickets are now on sale to the general public and special packages for the 2018 season are available. For dedicated festival lovers, these packages offer diverse and exciting options:

• Festival Five Package – Purchase tickets to five qualifying events and automatically receive 5 percent off. This package excludes Salon Series concerts and food/beverage events.

• Festival Ten Package – Purchase tickets to ten qualifying events and automatically receive 10 percent off. This package excludes Salon Series concerts and food/beverage events.

• Savannah Opera Subscription – See all four operas of the season (The Telephone, Hansel and Gretel, Speed Dating Tonight! and La Traviata) for $110-$135.

• Friend of the Festival All Access – This pass includes an all access badge to all events of your choice. This package does include Premium Seating and food/beverage events.

The Savannah VOICE Festival is happy to offer premium seating for events at the Westin Savannah Harbor, Asbury Memorial UMC, Yamacraw Center for the Arts and the Charles H. Morris Center. Premium seating tickets include seats in the premium section of these venues. Seats are not assigned. Reserved Seating for Festival Sponsors will be marked at each venue.

Tickets will be emailed for patrons to print at home unless otherwise requested. At each event, the doors open 30 minutes prior to show time for the general public and 40 minutes prior for all VOICE Society members and all-access badge holders with proper ID. Access passes are non-transferrable. To purchase tickets for the 6^th Savannah VOICE Festival, please visit www.SavannahVOICEFestival.org or call 855-76-OPERA.