Editor's note, posted at 5:26 p.m., June 26: The Atlantic Coast Opera Festival performances described below are no longer scheduled to take place at UD's Louise and David Roselle Center for the Arts.

2:54 p.m., June 18, 2007--The Atlantic Coast Opera Festival will present two performances in July at UD's Louise and David Roselle Center for the Arts. The group will present “It's A Grand Night For Singing” on Thursday, July 12, and “Witches, Saints and Villains of the Opera” on Thursday, July 19. Both performances begin at 7 p.m.

Now in its fourth season, the Atlantic Coast Opera Festival is headquartered in southern New Jersey. Besides the Roselle Center, performances are staged at the Riverwinds Amphitheater and Haddonfield High School, both in New Jersey, and at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

Founded by world-renowned opera star Robert McFarland, the festival works with the Metropolitan Opera National Council to provide support for the National Council's Young Artists program. McFarland won the National Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1979 and went on to an 8-year, 27-role career at New York City Opera under the leadership of Beverly Sills. Since that time, he has performed in nearly every major opera house in the world.

Tickets for the performances at UD are $50 for VIP seating, $35 for general admission, $25 for senior citizens and $15 for students. To order tickets or for more information, visit [www.atlanticcoastopera.com/index.htm].