Natchez Festival of Music’s 31st Season Kicks Off Saturday with ‘Opera Magic’ – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

- Opera singer and outfielder Tjaden O’Dowd Cox performs for the Rotary Club of Natchez on Wednesday, promoting the start of the 31st season of the Natchez Music Festival. She was accompanied by Richard Nechamkin on the keyboard. (Ben Hillyer | The Democrat Natchez)
NATCHEZ — The Magic of the Opera kicks off the 31stst Natchez Festival of Music season on Saturday at the Natchez City Auditorium.
This year’s festival, which runs until May 21, covers a variety of musical genres, Diana Glaze told members of the Rotary Club of Natchez on Wednesday during her meeting at the Grand Hotel. Glaze, a Rotarian, is also president of the Natchez Festival of Music.
“Opera is the NFL of singing. Once a voice reaches what these singers can do, that’s the pinnacle,” she said.
Tjaden O’Dowd Cox, opera singer and outfielder, performed for Rotarians. She was accompanied by Richard Nechamkin on the keyboard.
This year’s festival lineup includes:
- The Magic of Opera, Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Natchez City Auditorium, 207 Jefferson St. Tickets are $40 per person.
- The First Heartbeat, a blues and gospel concert, will take place Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Natchez Community Center, featuring Alvin Shelby and the Highway to Heaven Choir, along with Natchez’s YZ Ealey. Tickets are $20.
- Reflections of China featuring Chinese pianist Zhaolei Xie on Thursday, May 5 at First Presbyterian Church, 117 Pearl St., at 7 p.m. Admission is $20.
- Sincerely, Stephen Sondheim, featuring the Hub City Players on Saturday, May 7 at the Natchez City Auditorium at 7 p.m. Admission is $30.
- Rossini, Puccini and Martinis, Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Natchez Historical Foundation at 108 S. Commerce St. Admission is $20.
- Feel the Earth Move, a tribute to Carole King, featuring Alison Jenkins and the TK Quartet is Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at 215 Franklin St. Admission is $30.
- The Musical Chocolates featuring the impromptu piano trio will perform chamber music Saturday, May 14 at Waverly, 790 US 61, south of Natchez, at 7 p.m. Admission is $30.
- It Takes Two To Tango will take place on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchez. Admission is $20.
- Over the Rainbow on Thursday, May 19 at the Natchez Community Center at 7 p.m. will celebrate the life of Judy Garland. Admission is $30.
- The season wraps up Saturday, May 21 with Forever, the Music of Queen, a symphonic rock concert at Natchez City Auditorium at 7 p.m. Admission is $40.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit natchezfestivalofmusic.com.