The year-long wait for music lovers in the Coastal Empire is nearly over. In just a few days, the highly anticipated and nationally acclaimed Savannah VOICE Festival will launch its 2016 season. This year’s theme, “Summer of Romance,” will feature a talented array of recitals, concerts and performances that highlight multiple genres and artists.

The Savannah VOICE Festival, now in its fourth year, is a nonprofit arts organization that brings classical vocal excellence to the region through a two-week celebration every August. This year, events kick off Aug. 7 with Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” and conclude with a festival finale on Aug. 21. Tickets for most performances will be available at the door. However, organizers expect this year’s event will draw record-breaking crowds, and attendees are strongly encouraged to buy tickets in advance or purchase a festival package by going to www.savannahvoicefestival.org.

The 2016 season’s crown jewels – an unprecedented three operas – will undoubtedly increase the festival’s multifaceted appeal. Shining the brightest is the SVF’s production of Charles Gounod’s “Roméo et Juliette.” Directed by Fabrizio Melano, this classic love story will be staged on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. and 6.30pm on Tuesday Aug. 9 at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church and Theatre at 1008 Henry Street.

Audiences are also in for a unique treat when the artist starring as Romeo, tenor Santiago Ballerini, teams up with pianist Justina Lee for a special recital, “From Argentina, with Love.” Having performed around the world, Lee and Ballerini will showcase their remarkable skills for a local audience on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. The performance will be held at St. Johns  Episcopal Church, located at 1 Macon St. in Savannah.

In addition to festival’s impressive opera lineup, organizers are thrilled to return some longtime crowd favorites to the stage. Appearing for a fourth season is local pianist and organist Timothy Hall, who will be paired with this year’s artists to present “VOICES in Sacred Song.” Occurring at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 at Savannah’s First Presbyterian Church, this event will feature music from oratorio, liturgical music and inspirational song.

Another festival mainstay, “The American Music Concert: Give My Regards to Broadway,” is slated for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Savannah’s First Presbyterian Church on Washington Avenue. This performance allows festival artists a platform for presenting a review of some of American musical theatre’s most beloved moments.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, SVF artists will accompany audience members on a journey around the world with a wide range of international musical offerings. Emotionally charged South American tango music – perfect for keeping with the festival’s “Summer of Romance” theme – mournful Portuguese Fado and European art songs will set the mood for the “VOICES Around the World” concert. The show runs from 6:30-8 p.m. at Savannah’s Christ Church on Johnson Square.

As part of its nonprofit mission, the Savannah VOICE Festival and its sister organization, the VOICExperience Foundation, have impacted thousands of people who may never have come into a theater for an operatic performance. This is accomplished through a combination of outreach efforts in area schools and local charities, free educational events, teen workshops and master classes, special goodwill appearances at events, partnerships with community arts organizations, scholarships for area artists and ticket subsidies for the underserved.

To buy tickets for 2016 Savannah VOICE Festival events or for more information about the performances, please visit www.savannahvoicefestival.org, email [email protected] or call 855-76-OPERA.