by Theresa Attalla

Opera Columbus is getting a little wild this summer.

July 10 marks the seventh annual Go Wild! for Opera at the Columbus zoo and Aquarium concert. It will be held at 8 p.m. at the Columbus Zoo’s Water’s Edge Events park.

The concert, titled "One Enchanted Evening: The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber," includes talented singers such as Sean Anderson, Benjamin Bunsold, Sarah Lewis Jones and Katherine Tombaugh.

The collaboration between the zoo and Opera Columbus began when William Grové, a member of the board of directors for the Columbus Zoological Park Association, had an idea to bring the two organizations together through a summer concert event. He wanted something unique to help raise money for both entities, according to Lisa Minken, director of marketing and public relations for Opera Columbus.

“The zoo setting sells itself,” Minken says. “It’s unintimidating which enhances the experience. The unlikely success has allowed other art programs to come together.”

Minken adds that Columbus has a good audience appeal. Turnout has grown almost every year for the event as more than 1,000 people attended last year’s production. The concert will feature emcees Cabot Rea and Chuck Gillespie. It will also feature music from classic musicals such as Carousel, South Pacific, Okalahoma!, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera and more.

This year’s concert has a bit of a different twist than previous ones.

“Some or all four of the singers are finalists or winners of our annual vocal competition,” Minken says. “Audience members can see tomorrow’s blossoming opera stars today.”

Tickets are $25 general admission and $10 child admissions that will increase to $35 and $10 respectively after June 30.

Patron tickets are available for $75. Tickets include two drink tickets, admission to the Patrons-only social hour, a buffet dinner and a meet-and-greet with the zoo’s promotions animals before the show.

For more information, call 614-724-3570 or visit www.columbuszoo.org.