“Too Many Sopranos” is a new opera that has become hugely popular with professional companies and collegiate opera programs, alike. The College of Charleston Opera program in the College’s School of the Arts will present four performances of this comic opera by Edwin Penhorwood.

Directed by College faculty members Anna Steenerson and David Templeton, the fast-paced two-act opera will be performed in English by vocal students in the music department.

The premise is that the heavenly choir has room for only one more soprano, when a group of four divas show up at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter tells them that they must audition, and all hell breaks loose! After the sopranos audition, a decision cannot be made as to whom the position should be awarded. If only there were more male singers to allow for all of the sopranos to be in the choir. The little known “Redemption Clause” is utilized, allowing the divas to recruit men for the chorus, so they must go to Hell, where they can find all of the tenors and basses.

Performances will take place on Saturday, January 25, Monday, January 27, and Friday, January 31 at 8 p.m., with the final show on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. only. The venue is the Recital Hall of the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 Saint Philip St. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for College of Charleston students and may be purchased online or at the door (cash and check only). For more information call (843) 953-5927.