The Globe was thrilled saying "The ensemble cast sizzled in Teatro Lirico's Carmen. The performance really cooked. Credit goes to the excellent chorus and orchestra and the two starring roles."  The Boston Phoenix concurred with “Once again Teatro Lirico provided us with a satisfying, moving and witty performance of an opera, because it did the most important things right.” Opera News lauds, "the solo and ensemble singing... [is] lusty, whole hearted, full throated and honest. Something personal and passionate that is often missing from evenings of opera." Teatro Lirico performs Carmen, Tuesday, October 28 at 7:30pm in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall.

Back by popular demand, Teatro Lirico performed Tosca last year to standing ovations and elated patrons. Sure you can see the digital broadcasts at the cinema for a bit less but nothing can match the sheer power and emotion of a live performance. When your friends and neighbors are raving about it, don’t be wishing you had seen it when you had the chance.

Considered to be French composer Georges Bizet's greatest work, Carmen is one of the best-known and most popular operas of all time—known for its skillful combination of a love story with passionate, lyrical music and above all, a heroine who is a true, free spirit. Founded on the novel by Prosper Merimée, Teatro Lirico D'Europa's lavish production of this opera is performed in French with English supertitles and features a full orchestra and chorus, as well as flamenco dance ensemble Ballet Arabesk.

Call for tickets now at 545-2511, 1-800-999-UMAS or click here for tickets.

Please join us for a free pre-performance talk with Alan Schneider from 6:45 to 7:15 pm in the Fine Arts Center Lobby.

We have all done it - purchased an item of clothing that might fit a bit snug but you promise yourself you’re going to lose ten pounds and then it will fit perfectly. Is that piece suit still hanging in your closet? How about giving it to someone who could really use it.  Dress for Success is an international organization with a chapter right here in Western Mass that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

As part of our The Arts Give Back campaign, we are asking anyone attending the concert of Sweet Honey in the Rock on Saturday, November 1 to please bring a gently used suit or professional item of clothing (all sizes welcome) or accessory that will be donated to Dress for Success. Representatives and volunteers from that organization will be on hand to answer any questions. Items will be collected in the lobby before the show.

Dress for Success solves the catch-22 that confronts disadvantaged women trying to enter the workforce: without a job, how can you afford a suit?  But without a suit, how can you get a job? Although its mission has expanded, the suiting program remains a crucial part of their work and a vital first-step in a woman's journey toward self-sufficiency.

For more information about Dress for Success, visit them at www.dressforsuccess.org. Sweet Honey in the Rock Brings Inspiring Music to FAC on November 1, 8:00 pm, Concert Hall.

Sweet Honey In The Rock-five gorgeous a capella voices and one sign-language interpreter-takes audiences on a soulful journey through a panorama of blues, spirituals, gospel, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Singing songs of hope, love, justice, and peace, Sweet Honey In The Rock has blazed a path through the American consciousness for 35 years and they are still going strong. Be uplifted! Tickets $35, $30, $15; Five College/GCC students and youth under 17, $15. There will be an open rehearsal with a chance for Q & A with the artists from Sweet Honey in the Rock on Saturday, November 1 at 4:30pm in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. This is free and open to the public RAISE YOUR VOICE WORKSHOPS Performer and interpreter Shirley Childress Saxton (and UMass alum) and special guest artist Aaron Kubey, Executive Director of the National Theatre of the Deaf will conduct a daylong exploration of ASL interpreting for performance and the relevance of music in the lives of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, Fore more information, please email: Halina Kusleika FREE FILM SCREENING Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice; Sunday, October 26, 5:00 pm, Herter 227 Filmaker Stanley Nelson captures the history of this legendary group in this enlightening and provocative documentary.