COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – For the first time in over a year, Opera Columbus will perform to a live audience in a redesigned performance space. The singers and musicians will present Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” in a gallery of the Center for Science and Industry (COSI).

“So. It seemed very important to us that we didn’t do another zoom performance, but that we did it live in person,” said Julia Noulin-Mérat, General Manager and CEO of Opera Columbus .

Opera Columbus had to quickly pivot and reinvent the way they would safely stage Mozart’s masterpiece in front of a live audience.

“Each singer is in a vinyl tower, and it’s important that it’s vinyl because it still has to vibrate to the beat of the music. The tops of the boxes are actually open, so we have negative airflow, ”Noulin-Mérat said.

Newly built boxes allow performers to sing without masks.

“It was a lot of touching and going and making sure they were comfortable with them… ha-ha, I’m sure that’s the smallest space they’ve ever performed in,” Noulin-Mérat added with a smile.

The boxes make up the scene inside COSI Gallery 2.

“They were incredibly welcoming and kind of helped us think through the process and things like that,” said Noulin-Mérat.

COSI will officially reopen to the public in June, so Opera Columbus felt the gallery was perfect for allowing social distancing and air circulation.

“And we also amaze our customers so that they don’t all arrive at the same time,” said Noulin-Mérat.

Customers must wear masks, temperatures will be taken at the door, the show lasts 90 minutes with no intermission, digital programs are available and only 140 guests will be in attendance. The singers were also quarantined upon arrival in Columbus.

“We had people come from all over the country and joined us, and a lot of them, this is their first performance in 15 months… I literally have goose bumps, I’m so excited for them,” said Noulin-Mérat.

They hope to bring that same feeling to the audience with each performance.

“It’s a message of hope, it’s also a love letter to our city, Columbus because you know, we missed being together,” said Noulin-Mérat.

For more information on how to participate in the show, visit: https://www.operacolumbus.org/