The Lone Star College Kingwood will present the opera “Ariadne Auf Naxos.”

The Kingwood Summer Opera will be collaborating with talent from Houston’s arts and music scene this month in two performances of the Richard Strass’ masterpiece “Ariadne Auf Naxos.”

The two-hour opera will be presented on Lone Star College-Kingwood’s recently remodeled Main Stage in the Performing Art Center, at 7:30 p.m. June 27 and 2:30 p.m. June 29.

The music which includes lots of special vocal pyrotechnics.

While professional-level sopranos are attracted to the dramatic vocal grandeur of the title role, most opera apprentice programs, like the KSO, rarely undertake such a difficult performance.

“For the first time, the KSO will feature a live orchestra, comprised of Houston Grand Opera Orchestra members, and conducted by Thomas Jaber of the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University,” said Todd Miller, KSO producer and professor of music for LSC-Kingwood’s Performing Arts department.

“We are honored to share this caliber of talent with the community.”

Miller said private house concerts were held in The Heights and in Kingwood to raise money for the orchestra fund, with Tom Jaber accompanying selected cast members in famous operatic arias.

The Main Stage has been updated with new seats and the entire stage has been raised two feet to give the appearance of a “Baroque” opera layout.

“Ariadne Auf Naxos” is staged by LSC-Kingwood music faculty members Anne Health-Welch, director and Gottfried Schiller, assistant director/German coach. Trung Trinh is the orchestra concertmaster. James Hall, who will perform the role of “Tanzmeister” or Dancemaster, is a former LSC-Kingwood music faculty member back in Houston to join the cast. He is now assistant professor of voice at the University of NorthFlorida in Jacksonville. This year’s cast includes graduate students or alumni from various universities including Lone Star College, University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Prairie View A&M and Houston Community College.

KSO is well-respected because of LSC-Kingwood’s creative team of music faculty, according to the press release.

Heath-Welch and Schiller have a plethora of professional operatic experience and are eager and passionate about opera.

Tickets to the Kingwood Summer Opera’s production of “Ariadne Auf Naxos” are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students.

Seats are limited and early reservations are recommended.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 281-312-1709.