Best of 2003: Best Opera Night

Small Opera San Diego and the ARK Center for the Performing Arts
3454 Kettner Boulevard, Midtown
www.smallopera sandiego.org
619-725-0777

It used to happen every Sunday night. Local opera singers would bring their music and sing an aria or two. "But," says Small Opera business manager Debb Mattis, "we found it was becoming more of a social club as opposed to serious performance." And the whole idea behind Small Opera of San Diego, founded by local voice teacher Pandeli Lazaridi, was to give unnoticed opera singers an opportunity to perform before objective audiences. So now Small Opera puts on a scripted two-hour workshop every six weeks. Singers must audition to be part of the program. They are neither paid nor charged for the opportunity. Their reward is experience. As a nonprofit, Small Opera can't charge admission to the performances, but suggests a $10 donation from each audience member.