Lopez grad gives opera class at UTB-TSC

Brownsville native Michael Callas visited the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College on Thursday to teach a master class for opera students.

Callas, a baritone who has performed with the Boston Lyric Opera, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and the Opera Company of Brooklyn, among others, has been called a "precociously powerful young singer" by the Boston Globe. He attended the State University of New York at Purchase and the Boston University Opera Institute after graduating from the Arts Academy at Lopez High School.

Callas said it was a thrill to teach six young singers at UTB-TSC’s new Arts Center.

"The level was so fantastic," Callas said. "It was very strong."

Callas coached Eradio Martinez on his theatrics in the German song "Zueignung" by Richard Strauss and helped Victoria Rodriguez improve her breathing in "O Mio Babbino Cara" by Giacomo Puccini. He helped Anthony Ramirez engage the audience in his performance of "Spirate pur, Spirate" by Stefano Donaudy and brought out the girlish delight in Jessica Rosas’ rendition of "Je Veux Vivre" from Romeo and Juliet.

"For me opera was the perfect combination of theater and music," Callas said, who spent much of Thursday evening drawing out the drama from the opera students’ sheet music.

The organizers of the event were Ruth Ann Ragland, the vice president for institutional advancement, and Sue Zanne Urbis, the chair of the fine arts department.

The event was one of the first in the new Arts Center at UTB-TSC. Callas marveled as he observed the space.

"It is like no other feeling than to be in my hometown in this incredible theater," Callas said. "The students are prepared, they work hard and want to learn more. We can make this an international place for music — and I want to be a part of that."