The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance will present the Season Opening Celebration: “Prince Orlofsky’s Grand Masquerade.”

The performance will take place on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center and will feature the Dayton Ballet, Opera, and Philharmonic Orchestra.

The opening gala will feature special guest and dual crown winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Monét X Change (bass-baritone), who makes her Dayton Opera debut in Act two of Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” singing arias from Rossini and Bellini.

Acting DPO Concertmaster Aurelian Oprea will perform the Czardas.

In a statement, Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director of the Dayton Opera and Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair said, “I am so excited to begin the 23-24 Art That Moves Season with a comic masterpiece, the second act of Johann Strauss’ Fledermaus. As is common in the world of opera, this act is often used for gala concerts, adding extra music and guest artists. DPAA is doing just that: ‘supersizing’ the production with additional ballet featuring brand new choreography by Brandon Ragland, Dayton Ballet’s new Artistic Director. Along with a cast of dazzling singers, the celebration also includes a virtuosic violin solo by Aurelian Oprea and our special guest star Monét X Change, singing arias by Bellini and Rossini.”

“Die Fledermaus” will feature mezzo-soprano Katherine DeYoung (Orlofsky); bass-baritone Kenneth Shaw (Falke); soprano Amber Norelai (Adele); bass-baritone Sam Dhobhany (Frank); baritone Jason Cox (Eisenstein); soprano Rebecca Krynski-Cox (Rosalinda); and, special guest artist, bass-baritone Monét X Change.