KMFA Classical 89.5 welcomes The Butler Opera Center back to the Draylen Mason Music Studio for a for a special noontime preview of CINDERELLA on Tuesday, September 21, 2025.

Enjoy an afternoon of delightful opera scenes performed by members of the Butler Opera Center Ensemble, curated by Butler Opera Center Director, Garnett Bruce.  

• Music - Jules Massenet
• Libretto - Henri Cain
• Director - Garnett Bruce 
• Conductor - Douglas Kinney Frost
• Director, Producer, Principal Coach - Tamar Sanikdize

Massenet’s telling of the beloved fairytale has everything you’d hope for: luxurious love duets, a fairy godmother with atmospheric vocal acrobatics, a missing glass slipper, two ugly stepsisters with a mother you love to hate, and an overlooked heroine who ultimately finds true love. Even at its 1899 premiere, critics and audience members alike adored the opera’s snappy wit, compelling music, and its unavoidable charm (princes included) ...

The full production will be held Friday, October 17 - Sunday, October 26 at McCullough Theater at The University of Texas. Tickets may be purchased here.

This preview concert is free and open to the public when you RSVP in advance online.

 

The Butler Opera Center ranks among the top opera programs in the United States. Under the direction of Tamar Sanikidze, the program prepares emerging vocalists, vocal coaches and opera stage directors for careers in music. Each year, while pursuing academic classes, graduate students participate in at least three fully-produced mainstage operas accompanied by a full orchestra. With a curriculum based in both the traditional operatic repertory and progressive contemporary works, the program attracts students and faculty from a diverse background. Enrollment for each degree is limited to ensure personalized, intensive performance and training opportunities for each student.