UK Opera Brings ‘Grand Night’ and More to Your Home
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 27, 2020) — In light of the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre has canceled its June production of the popular Broadway musical revue “It’s a Grand Night for Singing!” But lovers of Broadway, Top 40 and opera will have other opportunities to enjoy music as they stay healthy at home.
For the past 27 years, the UK Opera Theatre, under the leadership of Everett McCorvey, has performed the highly anticipated and energetic “It’s a Grand Night for Singing!” to a live Central Kentucky audience. Since it began in 1993, this popular event has been known as the kickoff to the area’s summer arts season showcasing the talents of both regional and UK performers. Popular Broadway tunes as well as Top 40 hits have entertained sold out audiences of guests of all ages for years.
Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, “Grand Night” will look a bit different this year.
“We need to take every precaution to keep our team and you, our audience members, safe, and unfortunately that means canceling this year's production of ‘It’s A Grand Night for Singing!’ We do so with heavy hearts, but we know it is the right thing to do for our community,” McCorvey said. “We want you safe and sound and ready to join us for our 28th ‘Grand Night’ production in 2021.”
Until then, UK Opera Theatre is uploading clips of past performances for fans of the show to enjoy while social distancing through an online series titled “Grand Night at Home.” The clips will be added throughout June on UK Opera Theatre’s YouTube channel.
In addition, UK Opera Theatre is already sharing clips from recent opera productions for audiences at home. Clips from the following operas are available on YouTube, with more to follow:
- “Gianni Schicchi” and “Suor Angelica” (2019);
- "Madama Butterfly" (2019);
- "The Barber of Seville" (2017);
- “La Traviata” (2017); and
- “Carmen” (2007).
To view UK’s production of these operas and “Grand Night at Home,” visit and subscribe to UK Opera Theatre’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ukoperatheatre.
Additionally, audiences across the Commonwealth will be able to tune in to the entire 25th anniversary production of “Grand Night” 9 p.m. Saturday, June 20, on Kentucky Educational Television (KET).
Those who have purchased tickets to the 2020 production of “Grand Night” will be contacted by the Singletary Center for the Arts ticket office by phone or email to either be issued a refund or to convert the purchase to a donation for the College of Fine Arts Development Fund.
UK Opera Theatre is part of the School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, music therapy, composition, and theory and music history.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.