Big-screen opera
The Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda will be giving Western New Yorkers a chance to experience opera - through the medium of film - when it hosts the La Scala Opera Series, presented by Emerging P ictures.

The series kicks off with "La Traviata" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda. A second showing will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17.

Other operas in the series include:

• The sparks fly as two powerful queens struggle for control of one empire in "Maria Stuarda" by Gaetano Donizetti, at 7:30 p.m. March 15 and 2 p.m. March 16.

• The pen is truly mightier than the sword in Verdi's "La Forza Del Destino," at 7:30 p.m. April 12 and 2 p.m. April 13.

• Three one-act operas are featured in "Il Trittico" by Giacomo Puccini, at 7:30 p.m. May 23 and 2 p.m. May 24.

• The 150th anniversary of Puccini's birth will be celebrated when "La Rondine" is shown at 7:30 p.m. June 14 and 2 p.m. June 15.

The films are from Milan's Teatro alla Scala (La Scala) and other prestigious Italian opera houses. This exclusive North American collaboration with RAI, Radiotelivisione Italiana, will bring the operas recorded live in HDTV format to the Riviera.

"With its Italian Renaissance architecture and new gilded accents,

we feel the Riviera is the perfect

setting to enjoy these grand operas," said Riviera Artistic Director David Bondrow. "This is a very exciting opportunity."

Tickets are $20 general and $18 for students and seniors and are available by calling 692-2413 or by visiting www.rivieratheatre.org.

In conjunction with the premiere of the series, Calvary Episcopal Church, located in Williamsville, will be holding a "Romance at the Riviera - A Valentine's Day Gift of Operatic Dimension," from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Riviera. Tickets are $30 per person and include a private, pre-performance of organ music, wine and hors d'oeuvres reception and mezzanine seating for the performance. For tickets, call 692-2413 and ask for "Romance at the Riviera" package.