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Birds of a feather

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Peggy Burgess

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2009

Flocking together has just been made easier for some area residents, those whose preference for song runs to operatic arias. Two local opera clubs are now combined and settling happily in their new nest, Freedom Plaza.

Members of the Sun City Center Opera Club recently voted to disband their organization and unite with the Freedom Plaza Opera Club. The opportunity to be included in Freedom Plaza excursions to those Met Live operas, as well as to Sarasota Opera and Opera Tampa performances, was one factor in the club's decision. Two Freedom Plaza meetings per month, versus only one held in Sun City Center, also influenced that choice, as busy schedules frequently have conflicts and club meetings often had to be missed. The fact that both clubs have the same leader (yours truly) made the transition even easier.

So, what do all these opera fans do at opera club meetings? They discuss, study through lecture, watch videos about, and find new superlatives to describe this all-encompassing art form. During the month of November they will address the subject of American opera. Yes, Virginia, there really is American opera. Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" will be the topic and will be shown, in two parts, on Freedom Plaza Auditorium's big screen.

The Freedom Plaza Opera Club is open to all area residents who have an interest in opera or the desire to learn more about it. There are no dues connected to membership. For more information, call (813) 642-1213.

Peggy Burgess is a creative consultant for Freedom Plaza.

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