The Opera Festa Singers managed by Robert Wagner will perform at the Third Sunday Concert series at Christ Episcopal Church, Covington, on Sunday, Oct. 19. The concert will be staged in the church, beginning at 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.).

The New Orleans-based Opera Festa Singers are committed to bringing operatic selections to area stages and venues. Their Third Sunday Concert will feature selections from La Traviata, Fidelio, Pearl Fishers and Andrea Chenier.

Wagner, a New Orleans native, began his musical career at age five as a soprano in the St. Dominic Church Choir. He attended Loyola University where he majored in voice and co-majored in jazz bass and earned numerous honors. He continued his studies in Philadelphia at The Curtis Institute of Music and the Academy of Vocal Arts, where he transitioned from baritone to tenor and made his operatic debut with The Opera Company of Philadelphia. After his master’s degree, he in lived and performed in New York City for 10 years before moving to Europe for additional training. While in Europe, he was invited to sing for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome, made his Paris debut at the Opera Bastille in “Die Meistersinger” and appeared with the Vienna State Opera.

For the Third Sunday Concert. the Opera Festa Singers will feature a number of Wagner’s students and fellow performers, including sopranos Rachel Looney, Sarah Mahoney and Taylor Witherspoon; tenor Hugo Pinto; and, baritone Jeffrey Newell. Accompanist for the Third Sunday Concert performance will be Steven Edwards.