Fall Arts: More Choral

VocalEssence

When: Oct. 13–14

Where: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. 4th St., Mpls., 612-624-2345

Frank Loesser followed his Broadway hit Guys and Dolls with The Most Happy Fella, a sophisticated, warm-hearted May–December love story. Singers Bradley Greenwald, Jennifer Baldwin Peden, and Peter Halverson are used to crossing genres and are ideally suited for VocalEssence’s semistaged performance.

Minnesota Opera

When: Un Ballo in Maschera, Sept. 22–30; Italian Girl in Algiers, Nov. 10–18

Where: Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, 612-333-6669

Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) is a must-see for those who love the tenor voice. The noble King Gustav is the longest tenor role in any of Verdi’s operas and inspired some of his most passionate writing. Favorite soprano Viveca Genaux returns as Rossini’s Italian Girl in Algiers. The title character is stranded in Algiers and easily bends all men to her will with hilarious results. The role is ideally suited to Genaux’s coloratura facility and her sprightly flair for comedy.

Theater Latte Da

When: Oct. 27–Nov. 18

Where: Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 612-340-1725

Theater Latte Da revives its extremely popular production of Puccini’s La Bohéme at the Southern Theater, which sold out its last run with ease. The performance still emphasizes the uniquely intimate opera experience, using an orchestration for Parisian café instruments—piano, accordion, violin, guitar, flute, and clarinet.

Minneapolis Musical Theatre
When: Oct. 5–28
Where: Hennepin Stages, 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-673-0404
Blend the highest form of art with the lowest form of culture—opera and daytime television—and you end up with Jerry Springer: The Opera, making its area premiere with the Minneapolis Musical Theatre.

Rose Ensemble

When: Sept. 22–23

Where: Find the CD at roseensemble.org

The Rose Ensemble, specialists in ancient traditional music, branches out this fall when it celebrates the release of a new CD of early Hawaiian music. In October, the group heads off on a European tour, but not before giving a couple of bon voyage concerts at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis and the St. Paul Seminary Chapel. The concerts feature early choral music from Poland, Russia, and Bohemia.