In celebration of Pride Month, Seattle Opera will host a special crossover recital by local drag queen Anita Spritzer (also known as operatic tenor John Marzano) on June 27, called "Divo to Diva: Anita Spritzer in Recital."

Spritzer will bring her big wigs, bold personality, and beautiful tenor voice to the musical program, which will feature pieces from across the opera and musical theater traditions — by Leonard Bernstein, Giacomo Puccini, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, and others — alongside a few comedic surprises.

Marzano, whose sweet, lyrical singing entranced audiences in Handel's Alcina last October, most recently appeared as Spritzer at the company's "Queens of the Night" Halloween party.

"Combining my two worlds of drag and opera has always been a dream of mine, because it shows how much the two art forms have in common," said Marzano. "Giving this recital during Pride makes it extra special for me, and I want it to be a reminder of what Pride is all about: a constant fight for rights and acceptance, as well as a celebration of who we are."

Marzano described the event's relaxed format as "not your average recital and not your average drag show." Audiences should dress to express, and drag is encouraged.

Community and youth events
For another opportunity to celebrate, Seattle Opera's young patrons' club, BRAVO!, will host an end-of-season party on June 7 at Capitol Hill's Century Ballroom. The event will include a set of beginner flamenco workshops and a performance by local troupe Oleaje Flamenco.

An additional June event might interest SGN readers: On June 21 and 23, participants in the Jane Lang Davis Creation Lab, Seattle Opera's workshop for local composers and librettists, will showcase the new works produced during their multimonth development projects. Four 20-minute operas will receive their world premieres: a story based on Andean legend, a tale of generational divides and family dynamics, an explosive portrayal of fed-up climate activists, and an invitation to a dystopian capitalist hellscape.

Seattle Opera will also offer summer opera camps for teens, tweens, and young children.

"Divo to Diva: Anita Spritzer in Recital" plays on Thursday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m., in Tagney Jones Hall at the Opera Center. For tickets and more information about all Seattle Opera summer programs, visit https://seattleopera.org