Opera will be accessible in Austin this April, as two special guests join the Austin Symphony Orchestra for an operatic performance.

The Austin Symphony Orchestra will perform Ópera Festiva! from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 17 at the Historic Paramount Theatre. The performance is the orchestra’s third time in the theater.

“We’re very pleased to be back for the third time and pleased to be a continuing part of the Paramount’s wealth and development,” Austin Symphony Orchestra Music Director for 22 years Stephen J. Ramsey said.

Ramsey noted the space has a good sound, and the musicians can hear themselves well which is a benefit.

This year’s program will feature two special guests — Elizabeth Hunter Ashley, a soprano, and Rick Penning, a tenor. Ramsey said it’s typical for symphony orchestras to include guest artists during any given performances.

“In this case, it’s two returning guest artists,” Ramsey said. “Two people who grew up in Austin and have gone on to create musical lives in other communities.”

Coloratura-Lyric Soprano, Hunter Ashley wrote in an email she is thrilled to be returning to her hometown as a soloist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. This is her fourth time as as a soloist with the Symphony and the second performance under the baton of Maestro Stephen Ramsey. Hunter Ashley specializes as a soloist in oratorio, concert, sacred music, opera, and musical theater. She has been featured as a concert soloist with more than 16 orchestras in Rome Italy, Salzburg Austria, and California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, New Jersey.  She was a recipient of the “Music Hall of Fame” at Austin High School and a 1982 graduate.

Hunter Ashley recently celebrated her 30th year anniversary as Miss Minnesota 1985 — Miss America Scholarship Program by performing as well as an Emcee for the 2016 Miss Pageant Pageant in Minneapolis. She was Miss Austin 1984.

Hunter Ashley has a Masters Degree in Music and is an adjudicator for singing competitions including the National Association of Teachers in Singing (NATS) and the California Music Educators Association (CMEA). Her private “Vocal Performance Studio” in Danville California is in it’s 20th year. She is a vocal coach for Young Women’s Choral Project in San Francisco and Monte Vista High School. She previously coached the San Francisco Girls Chorus for 14 years. Hunter Ashley works mostly as a soloist  and is currently a new soloist and member of the San Ramon Chorale and Blackhawk Chorus.

Dr. Rick A. Penning earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree (Vocal Music Performance) from the School of Music at the University of Minnesota, his Master of Music degree (Vocal Music Performance) from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and his Bachelor of Arts degree (Music Education) from Luther College.

A past first place winner of the Metropolitan Opera District competition, he has performed over 35 operatic roles with opera companies including Central City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Omaha, and Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

As a trumpet player while still in high school and college, Penning played with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has returned to the Austin Symphony Orchestra to perform as a tenor soloist.

He maintains busy voice studios at Augsburg and Carleton Colleges as well as a home studio.

Ramsey hopes the audience will enjoy the blend of high and light opera, and even comedic opera, that is tossed together in the show.

“If people are not liking this moment, they can wait five minutes and the next one they probably will,” he said. “It’s a concert with a little bit of music for everyone. It’s full of humor, full of good spirit and always full of love.”

Ramsey explained when opera was first created, there was no television and this was made to be the festivity for an entire evening. One of the best parts though was the American spirit in that everyone was welcome to attend, whether rich or not.

“It was the ballpark experience of its time,” he said.

Executive Director of the Austin Area Commission for the Arts Jennie Knoebel was excited to host the orchestra for a third year, especially when she found out they will perform some opera.

“We’ve never actually really done opera at the Paramount but I’ve always wanted to,” Knoebel said.

“We’re just excited to have the Austin Symphony Orchestra to perform at the Paramount,” she added. “The music in the Paramount sounds amazing because of the acoustics … It’s just a really good vibe.”

She said the concert should be enjoyable for all ages and will last about two hours. Though opera can be something that seems overwhelming at times, Knoebel said this concert is a great way to get a sample of what opera is all about while still in Austin.

“From what I’ve gathered it’s an accessible way to experience the opera,” she said.

She hoped audience members would get “a new appreciation for a different style of music” through the experience.

Ramsey noted the pieces will be well-known from popular operas that many people will recognize. With about 60 people in the orchestra, the performers are from all over the area and neighboring counties.

“Our greatest wish is that people would be talking about the concert maybe a week later,” Ramsey said.

“What’s left is for us to talk about it and to share to each other what a joyful experience it was,” he added. “That can’t be relived … only by sitting in the hall and being there together, performer and audience, music comes to life.”