In case you still think that a night at the opera involves a silver-haired audience, mediocre acting and a fat lady who always gets the last word, Opera Company of North Carolina will make you think again. With lavish sets, glitzy costumes, beautiful singing, and ingenuous plot lines as sizzling as any television or motion-picture drama, opera is attracting a new generation of aficionados.

Raleigh’s Opera Company of North Carolina (OCNC) is leading the way in making the fine art accessible to anyone and everyone, with open rehearsals, free previews, and pre-performance “opera-chats,” not to mention English supertitles displayed on a screen suspended unobtrusively above the stage.

Subtle changes — such as fit, agile and attractive performers who can sing as well as act — are making shows more appealing to younger opera-goers, many of whom are between 25 and 40 years old, says Durham-based soprano Elizabeth Grayson, who will sing the role of Musetta in OCNC’s April performances of “La Boheme.”

“Performers have to look good and sound good,” says Grayson, a former Miss North Carolina whose reign helped launch her Broadway singing debut. She adds that music remains the main draw: Opera features lyric notes not heard in popular music and celebrates the beauty, warmth, and purity of the human voice — one that is never artificially enhanced.

Artistic talent

The company was founded 10 years ago by Robert Galbraith, founding artistic director, and his wife, Raleigh native Margaret Poyner Galbraith. Since then, it has established a reputation for impeccable artistic integrity. OCNC stages two high-quality productions each year by accomplished performers of national and international renown that are backed by elaborate, eye-popping sets brought in from some of the country’s major opera houses.

“Bob and Margaret have done a fabulous job of putting on first-class opera for the people in the Triangle,” says soprano Judith Bruno, a Raleigh voice teacher who directs OCNC’s children’s chorus. Before settling permanently in Raleigh, Bruno performed musical theater nationally and toured with the National Opera Company.

OCNC is a “hidden gem” because the high quality of its performances rarely can be found at smaller, regional opera companies, says Scott MacLeod, publicity director.

“When I saw the first production of ‘Don Giovanni’ [last fall], I was just blown away,” recalls MacLeod, who recently came to North Carolina from an opera company in Tallahassee, Fla., and also is an opera singer. Not only were the singing and acting first rate, he says, but “the sets and costumes were just like anything you would see at the Met.”

“La Boheme” — Puccini’s tale of six bohemian artists living in Nazi-occupied France — should not disappoint. John Fowler, a North Carolina native who has performed leading roles at opera venues throughout the world such as the Metropolitan Opera House and Vienna State Opera, will play Rodolfo opposite Mimi, which will be sung by Lisa Daltrius, who is emerging as one of the country’s leading young sopranos.

Grand productions

How does this small company manage to attract top performers and mount productions on such a grand scale? MacLeod attributes much of the company’s success to the business acumen of Frank Grebowski, general director, as well as strong corporate and patron support cultivated by Judy Hendrickson, director of development. Because elaborate and costly stage sets — and occasionally costumes — are loaned or rented from other companies, OCNC is able to keep costs at a minimum.

Galbraith’s reputation and contacts have helped OCNC attract highly acclaimed artists such as Grayson, whom he rediscovered after she took a 10-year break from full-time performing to spend time with her family.

“I am very grateful to be in the Triangle area, where there are so many opportunities to sing,” she says. Grayson’s performance credits include classical works, as well as the Broadway national touring production of “Camelot,” in which she played Guinevere opposite Richard Harris as King Arthur.

Don’t be surprised if you run into Grayson or other OCNC performers warbling around town. Last December, cast members caroled at Cameron Village in Raleigh and at various tree-lighting ceremonies throughout the Triangle. Earlier last year, Grayson’s voice could be heard soaring over the manicured turf at SAS Soccer Park when she sang the national anthem before the NCAA women’s soccer championship game. This year, look for outreach performances in local libraries and lunchtime street performances in downtown Raleigh when the plaza at the southern terminus of Fayetteville Street is completed.

To bring it closer to the community, OCNC recently settled into new offices on Fayetteville Street. “We have a responsibility to give back to the community and add to its culture,” MacLeod says "see for yourself.".

Experience the beauty opera has to offer. Opera Company of North Carolina will present “La Boheme” Friday, April 13, and Sunday, April 15. For more information, call (919) 783-0098 or visit www.operanc.com.