ADAMS, Mass. — This summer, Classic Lyric Arts (CLA) is bringing Mozart to the Adams Theater–for free. 

 

CLA develops the talent of emerging professional opera singers and pianists; its Berkshire program, devoted to mastering the artistry of Mozart's Italian operas, is in its third year. Students and faculty will present classical opera pieces in a free community production at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 12.

 

CLA's staff includes coaches, conductors, language instructors, stage designers and masterclass teachers from well-known opera theaters like La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera; they're deeply committed to guiding emerging opera singers to achieve their artistic potential by teaching vocal repertoire through the prism of language, culture, and history. 

 

More than 500 artists have participated in CLA programs over the years, from CLA's initial launch in Italy in 2009, followed by France in 2012 and the Berkshires in 2022. The CLA programs offer an immersion into vocal repertoire, exploring the intricacies of musical style, vocal technique, and linguistic structures. They're working to refine "the music of language," said CLA Founder, Artistic Director, and Vocal Coach Glenn Morton, who is also a teacher at all three of New York's music conservatories (Julliard, Manhattan School of Music, & Mannes). 

 

There's an additional learning component for opera singers to develop their knowledge of French and Italian, says Morton. "Singers are the only instrument to use language," he said. "Singers develop their vocal ability like actors develop their bodies and spoken voice; we want to bring the music contained in those languages into how they express themselves in every way."

 

CLA's summer residencies usually involve a handful of free community concerts in various locations. Morton said CLA is excited to present work in a new Berkshire venue. 

 

"It's thrilling that so many diverse arts organizations are being presented at the Adams Theater. There's something for everyone" he said. "I'm thrilled that our corner of the arts is going to be represented this coming summer. We're very excited to present ourselves to a new audience in a new area of Massachusetts." 

 

The event is free, and tickets can be reserved in advance at www.adamstheater.org/present.