SAVANNAH — VOICE Festival Executive Director Maria Zouves on Jan. 24 at the Ford Plantation unveiled a new program for the second annual festival, which is Aug. 1-17 in and around Savannah.
The 2014 festival will feature big changes and returns of audience favorites from the inaugural festival.
For the first time for the festival, a production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” will be staged at Christ Church in downtown Savannah on Aug. 3 and 5. Other premier events include Carnegie Hall couple Jennifer Johnson Cano and Christopher Cano performing a recital Aug. 2 at Christ Church. The festival’s music trivia concert, “VOICES Out of a Hat,” will be Aug. 9 at Asbury Memorial Church, while the “Festival Finale — from Bizet to Broadway” will be Aug. 16 at First Presbyterian Church.
The Westin Savannah Harbor will host events such as the return of “Death, by Aria I & II,” master classes, movie night featuring “Carmen,” the Teen VOICE workshop and Showcase. Plus, new for 2014 are “Studio Opera Scenes” and “Opera Idol Competition.”
Also new for 2014 is the “VOICES Around the World” concert, which offers song repertoire from many nations; “Salon Series,” which is a VOICE Society Members exclusive in association with St. John’s Episcopal Church on Macon Street in downtown Savannah.
Also returning is “VOICES of Sacred Song” at First Presbyterian Church.
An expanded community outreach program will remain part of the Festival as VOICExperience is committed to making vocal arts accessible to everyone in society. Bethesda Academy, Chatham County schools and assisted-living facilities are some of the recipients of this project. Some Festival events will be free with other events offering tickets from $18-$65.  
Wrapping up the Festival is the Gala Dinner Fundraiser on Aug. 17. Details will be announced this spring, including the 2014 recipient of the Sherrill Milne’s VOICE Award.
Tickets for the general public go on sale in April. VOICE Society Members can enjoy exclusive events, early booking privileges, discounts with local businesses and a regular newsletter. Membership for the VOICE Society is $150 for individual members, $250 for couples and $300 for families.
For more information, go to www.savannahvoicefestival.org, email info@savannahvoicefestival.org or call 855-76-OPERA.