THE THIRD SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES
Christ Episcopal Church, Covington
120 S. New Hampshire Street
Covington, Louisiana 70433

Oct. 19 3rd Sunday Concert to feature Opera Festa Singers

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.

The Third Sunday Concert is an outreach of Christ Episcopal Church, Covington. The one-hour concerts are free and open to the public and are followed by a reception in the parish hall for the performers and audience.

The 2025-26 season will also offer zydeco and Louisiana blues by Sunpie Barnes and The Louisiana Sunspots on Nov. 16; holiday selections by Louisiana Brass on Dec. 21; Broadway tunes, new and old, by Cedric Bridges & Friends on Jan. 18; classical piano by Dr. Qifan Wu on Feb. 15; and, jazz vocal harmony by The Pfister Sisters on April 19.

The season will conclude on May 17 with a performance by teen piano phenom River Eckert, who channels the styles of New Orleans legends Professor Longhair, James Booker and Dr. John.

Christ Episcopal Church is located at 120 S. New Hampshire, near the Covington downtown area and just before the entrance to Bogue Falaya Park. The handicap accessible entrance to the sanctuary is located on the park side of the main church.

For more information call 985.892.3177 or visit christchurchcovington.com.

For more information, contact the church office at 985.892.3177.