Knox Co. Music Teacher to Perform at Summer Sky Concert

By Echo Menges

EDINA, Mo. — Knox County R-I music teacher Lisa Blake will return to the stage later this month for her 11th season with the Muddy River Opera Company during the annual Summer Sky Concert in Quincy, Illinois.

Blake, a mezzo-soprano, has performed in numerous opera productions with the company over the past 11 seasons, including La Bohème, Carmen, The Magic Flute and La Traviata. She has also appeared as a featured soloist in works by Bach, Duruflé, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Vivaldi.

In addition to teaching middle and high school band and choir at Knox County R-I, Blake serves on the voice faculty at Culver-Stockton College in Canton.

The free outdoor concert will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, at Lorenzo Bull Park, 1550 Maine St., Quincy. Blake will perform Bizet’s famous “Habanera” from Carmen, two duets with soprano Penelope Shumate and a contemporary art song by Ben Moore.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Reservations are available but not required. More information is available at muddyriveropera. org.