Crowds of thousands enjoying musical performances in the fresh air of downtown Knoxville had been a springtime treat for years from Knoxville Opera’s Rossini Festival International Street Fair. Usually scheduled for late April/early May, the Festival was yet another unfortunate victim of the Covid-19 pandemic in both 2020 and 2021. However, as vaccinations allow people to once again congregate and attend live performances, Knoxville Opera is inviting music lovers back to an event for a taste of what the Rossini Festival has been known for.
The event is a Musical Theatre Marathon—7 hours of music from 14 musicals, operettas, and operas performed by notable singers and musicians, many of whom have graced Knoxville Opera productions in the past. The location is the parking lot across Cumberland Avenue from the Bijou Theatre—the time is Noon – 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 12.
Admission to the Musical Theatre Marathon is FREE and attendees should feel free to come and go—catch your favorite artists or make an afternoon of it. In addition, some downtown businesses within walking distance are partnering with Knoxville Opera by offering limited-time goods, specials, or menu items. These include the Bistro at the Bijou, Dazzo’s Pizzeria, French Market, Knoxville Soap & Candle, Petro’s Chili & Chips, Phoenix Pharmacy & Fountain, Status Dough, and Maple Hall.
Schedule of Performers and Performances
12:00-12:30 — Die Fledermaus (J. Strauss, Jr., 1874)
Rochelle Bard, soprano/Aubrey Odle, mezzosoprano/Aaron Short, tenor/Michael Roemer, baritone
12:30-1:00 West Side Story (Bernstein, 1957)
Maria Clark, soprano/Norman Shankle, tenor
1:00–1:30 The Music Man (Willson, 1957)
Jacqueline Brecheen, soprano/Aubrey Odle, mezzosoprano/Frank Rosamond Sr., baritone/Frank Rosamond Jr., baritone
1:30–2:00 Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini, 1816)
Rochelle Bard, soprano/Norman Shankle, tenor/Brandon Hendrickson, baritone
2:00–2:30 La Bohème (Puccini, 1896)
Maria Clark, soprano/Jacqueline Brecheen, soprano/Aaron Short, tenor/Michael Roemer, baritone
2:30–3:00 Fiddler on the Roof (Bock, 1964)
Jennifer D’Agostino, sop./Aubrey Odle, mezzosop./Frank Rosamond Sr., bar./Frank Rosamond Jr., bar.
3:00–3:30 The Merry Widow (Lehár, 1905)
Rochelle Bard, soprano/Jacqueline Brecheen, soprano/Norman Shankle, tenor/Brandon Hendrickson, baritone.
3:30–4:00 Tosca (Puccini, 1900)
Maria Clark, soprano/Aaron Short, tenor
4:00–4:30 The Fantastiks (Schmidt, 1960)
Jacqueline Brecheen, soprano/ Frank Rosamond Sr., baritone/Frank Rosamond Jr., baritone
4:30–5:00 La Traviata (Verdi, 1853)
Rochelle Bard, soprano/Norman Shankle, tenor/Brandon Hendrickson, baritone
5:00–5:30 Carousel (Rodgers, 1945)
Jennifer D’Agostino, soprano/Brandon Hendrickson, baritone
5:30–6:00 My Fair Lady (Loewe, 1956)
Jacqueline Brecheen, soprano/Aaron Short, tenor/Frank Rosamond, Sr., baritone
6:00–6:30 South Pacific (Rodgers, 1949)
Laura Beth Wells, mezzosoprano/Norman Shankle, tenor/David Crawford, bass
6:30–7:00 Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart, 1786)
Maria Clark, soprano/Aubrey Odle, mezzosoprano/Aaron Short, tenor/Brandon Hendrickson, baritone
