Philippine Opera Company’s Young Artists’ Series (YAS) Season 2018-2019 will mount a concert of operetta hits, “T’aint Opera! (Hits from the Weird and Wonderful World of Operetta!),” on July 18, 7 p.m., at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Little Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The concert, which is supported by CCP and Friends of the Philippine Opera Foundation, will feature arias from “Die Fledermaus,” “Merry Widow,” “The Mikado,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “The Land of Smiles,” “Yeomen of the Guard,” “Christopher Columbus,” “Candide” and “Kismet.”

Operetta is a short opera, usually on a light or humorous theme and typically having spoken dialogue. Notable composers of operettas include Offenbach, Johann Strauss, Lehár, and Gilbert and Sullivan.

“T’aint Opera!” is an extravaganza of familiar, easy-to-listen-to music combined with dance, acting and storytelling.

YAS started in October 2012 as a soiree every third Wednesday of the month, featuring POC’s young talents performing operas and musical theater pieces that have crossed over into classical music.

To assist and mentor them, POC invites established directors in the theater industry.

“We saw the need of further training our classical singers when it comes to acting, text analysis, character analysis and movement because these aren’t part of the curriculum in the conservatories,” said Karla Gutierrez, POC artistic and managing director.

“In the conservatory we learn vocal techniques, theories, the basic languages for singing like the Italian, German, French, and we have the different music literatures, but the fundamentals of theater or script are not incorporated in the curriculum.

“It is very important to connect with the audience, most especially for opera. The audience should be able to understand what we’re singing even if we’re singing in a different language.” In “T’aint Opera!” all the arias will be performed in the English text, “so that the audience will be able to appreciate and understand what the classical singers are singing.”

Featured are Neomi Iaian Giron, Camille Maica Juanitez, Renz Nathaniel Cruz, Kevin Guiman, Eden Dumlao, Cloi Sugano, Melisa Camba, Rein Pineda, Kimberly Adam and Nazer Salcedo. Collaborating pianist is Obel Alalong.

“T’aint Opera!” will be directed by Jaime del Mundo.

For details, call Philippine Opera Company at 09176452946.