Scene from the Puccini classic La Boheme
(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- New Jersey Lyric Opera (NJLO) returns to Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre for the third consecutive year with a weekend of opera favorites on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus, August 7-10, 2025 during the Summer Opera Festival.
The festival weekend features presentations by talented artists from the tri-state region and beyond for two live operas, Carmen and La Boheme, plus the Gala Spectacular, a showcase of opera favorites.
The opera weekend kicks off with Carmen (Thursday, August 7 & Friday, August 8 at 7:30pm), a story of unstoppable passion and sizzling drama with alluring melodies, including the famous Habanera. Sung in French with English subtitles, the story revolves around Carmen, a captivating and independent Romani woman, and Don José, a naive soldier, who is consumed by his obsession with her, leading to tragic consequences. The performance stars soprano Sarah Joseph, who sings Micaela, and tenor Chris Lorge singing the role of Don José.
The festival continues with the Puccini opera La Boheme (Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 at 2:00pm), the story of young, impoverished artists and their loves in 19th-century Paris, particularly focusing on the relationship between the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimì. The performance is sung in Italian with English subtitles, featuring John Paul Durazzo returns as Alcindoro, Franchesca Solis as Mimi, and versatile baritone Chaka Allen as Marcello.
Saturday, August 9 at 7:30pm features the Festival Night Gala, a visually-stunning, immersive, cinematic program with live, on-stage performances including opera favorites, paired with rare opera gems. (With English subtitles.)
Tickets $26.50 per event, or $75 for all three, and may be purchased online at KelseyTheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333.
Kelsey Theatre is located on the MCCC campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor Township. The Theater is wheelchair accessible with free parking adjacent to the venue. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. For a complete listing of events, visit the Kelsey website at www.KelseyTheatre.org.
