Free opera for frugal ears

No coattails? No gown? No problem.

Opera San Jose has scheduled free community performances this summer throughout the South Bay with no dress code. As a matter of fact, dressing to the nines at the opera house is pretty passé, said general director Larry Hancock.

“It’s 2016 and all that restricted behavior is in the past,” he said. “I don’t get all dressed up, and I’m the damn general director.”

Hancock and opera members will make their way to Sacred Heart Community Center in San Jose as well as parks and libraries this summer to give the community a casual opera encounter.

“It’s to dissolve fear,” he said. “For some reason, many Americans don’t feel they deserve to sit in certain July 10: 6:30-8 p.m., Bramhall Park, 1320 Willow St., San Jose

7-8 p.m., Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale company.”

Showing up for an evening of arias while sitting on a blanket at the park is likely to be a lot less intimidating and more family friendly, he said.

“Many people don’t have a lot of theater experience, and it’s like they’re afraid they’ll be found out,” Hancock continued. “Everybody fits in our audience.”

At month’s end, baritone Matthew Hanscom and soprano Jennifer Mitchell will conduct a “What is Opera?” session with children at Sacred Heart Community Center, which serves lowincome families and individuals.

Youths will get a bit more exposure to songs they may have heard as background music in a cartoon, and they’ll be able to ask questions of the performers.

That event is just for students, but the greater community has two opportunities to get up close and personal with Opera San Jose.

Moving into July, Opera San Jose will once again perform at Bramhall Park in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose.

The outdoor amphitheater and “earthen” stage provide natural acoustics and a casual atmosphere, Hancock said.

The opera company performed last summer without much notice, and it still was a hit. This year there will be a selection of costumes audiences can wear for photos and selfies.

More information can be found at operasj.org.