Who doesn’t love an exciting night of memorable music?

This weekend students from the D’Angelo Department of Music will present a dazzling concert of opera highlights this weekend titled “Opera Pops and Sizzles.”

The show will run Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 21, at 2 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

Fifteen voice students make up the cast of this concert. Different from the operas that the Music department usually presents, which only have a handful of leading roles, seniors all the way through freshmen have important parts to play in “Opera Pops and Sizzles.”

“‘Opera Pops and Sizzles’ is a really great show for both the performers and the audience,” sophomore Liz Zurasky said. “The audience has the opportunity to see young singers perform opera classics and favorites and the performers get another opportunity to be on the stage and gain experience. Most undergrad students at other schools don’t get chances like this to perform.”

Assistant Professor of Voice Brent Weber is directing the show. He has developed a minimal storyline around the opera “Die Fledermaus” to connect famous scenes and songs from different operas.

A barber named Figaro receives an invitation to a costume ball held by Prince Orlofsky, and he is asked to pass it on to people he sees on the street. The audience then meets each group that he encounters. Then at the ball, guests take turns performing for each other. The ensemble finishes with the finale of Act II of “Die Fledermaus.”

This version includes selections from famous operas such as “The Barber of Seville,” “Rigoletto,” “Carmen,” “Lakme,” and “La Boheme.”

The songs that were chosen are ones that everyone is sure to enjoy, and many are bound to recognize. Senior Mary Spinelli is performing in the show, and she thinks that “it is going to be a great show, because there is something for everyone to enjoy!”

Tickets are $12.50 for students and $1 for Mercyhurst students with ID. Call the box office at 824-3000 for tickets, or 824-2394 for more information.