A more operatic tone will be sounding through the Esber Recital Hall tonight.

An Opera Gala, a combined effort from the choral and opera departments within the Penn State School of Music, will come to the stage at 8 p.m. for an hour-long performance. The recital will feature more than 130 singers, including the Oriana Singers, the Glee Club, and several alumni and faculty soloists. Hosted by Bob Barton, a WPSU classical music announcer, the event will cost $2 for students and $4.99 for adults.

The concert will consist of separate performances by both the Oriana Singers and the Glee Club, as well as a collective performance by the two groups. During the last three pieces, more than 130 voices will be heard ringing throughout the recital hall.

"The term 'Opera Gala' means festival celebration," said Concert Organizer Beverly Patton. "It's not very often where we combine these two groups together, and it's not very often that an audience gets to hear any opera... it's one of the best part about opera, hearing all of the voices sing at once."

Patton, who will be conducting the Oriana Singers, as well as the combined choral group, says that the finale piece will be particularly interesting. "The piece is from an opera that has not even yet premiered," Patton said. The song, 'Dan-u-el,' written for Kirke Mechem's new opera "John Brown," is about John Brown the abolitionist. Patton describes it as more of a gospel piece.

Many of the selected opera pieces are meant to be light-hearted and comical, an aspect which Matt Shaffer (junior-music education) really likes.

"It's different from a lot of music we normally sing," Shaffer said. "A lot of people think opera is boring or depressing. We're hoping that through this concert, they'll get a better understanding of what opera brings."

Scott Barton, the conductor for the Glee Club, said that the audience should even recognize most of the pieces being performed.

"Several of these pieces are used in promos and commercials all the time... they're that popular," Barton said.

Those who aren't knowledgeable about opera should not be discouraged from attending.

"The program is designed for people who don't know about Opera," Patton said. "We've asked Bob Barton to narrate, and he'll be telling you about the story, or about the translation...he'll invite you into this world, this world of opera."

Barton said that students outside of the School of Music should enjoy the recital due to the variety of musical pieces being performed.

"It's so neat to see what's going on in the School of Music and the School of Theatre, and opera is such an amazing art form," Barton said. "Students could really enjoy themselves, and open their eyes to some art and entertainment that is happening on campus."