They may have heard opera in the background of radio or television commercials, but only a few had seen it live. Many students in Jeff Funderburk's choral classes had never seen a live operatic performance until this week, when Slatton and other rising opera stars visited Central. Thanks to the Central Georgia Opera Guild, which paid for the performers' visits, students at five public and private schools in Macon are being treated to live performances and explanations of arias and musical theater. Five opera singers will perform at 8 p.m. today in Porter Auditorium at Wesleyan College on Forsyth Road. For more information, call 757-5174.
People think opera is an art form from the past.
Slatton and baritone Adelmo Guidarelli, both living now in New York City, said they started their singing careers in rock 'n' roll bands. His mother suggested he take voice lessons, and his teacher told him his voice had operatic qualities. My mom and nobody could really believe it. Luke now has 28 private students in Macon, ranging in age from 11 to 72. Georgia native Courtney Budd, a soprano, said she always enjoyed singing, but her main interest was originally graphic arts.