The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice is entering its 9th season and has announced a lineup of performances centered on precisely that, to take place from August 3 to 5, 2018. The festival itself will be held in Phoenicia, NY, in a location within the Catskills which features seven different venues located near one another.

The featured event is their production of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.” Staged and directed by Maria Todaro, and conducted by Maestro David Wroe, this production will feature Ginger Costa-Jackson in the title role, along with Adam Diegel as Don Jose, Kyle Albertson as Escamillio, and with Miriam Costa-Jackson in the role of Micaela.

On Friday night will be the “Sirens of Gospel” concert, celebrating female jazz singers such as Mahaila Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and more. Local vendors will be available for artisanal drinks and refreshments. Saturday night will see a number of new works, such as a performance from nascent a capella group Lady Parts, comprised of a number of operas leading ladies, taking their talents to genres from opera to pop and more. Performing also will be Eric Grant’s new play “Bleecker Street,” which follows the turmoil of a family in the wake of the Orlando Pulse nightclub massacre.

On Saturday, audiences can always look forward to the young artists of the festival to perform Rossini’s first opera, “La Cambiale di Matrimonio,” or “The Marriage Contract.” This bel canto comedy follows a daughter who aims to outwit the arranged marriage her father has in mind for her. Conducting the performance is David Mayfield, an alumnus of the festival.

Bringing the festival to a close on Sunday, August 5, 2018, will be the “Beauties of Broadway” finale. This event will feature Broadway star Marissa McGowan of “A Little Night Music,” “Les Miserables,” and more. McGowan will be joined by baritone Jeff Byrnes, who recently made his role debut as Sharpless in Raylynmor Opera’s “Madama Butterfly.”