SUMMER OPERA: New Jersey Lyric Opera returns to Kelsey Theatre for the Summer Opera Festival July 26-28, opening with the Verdi classic “Rigoletto.”

New Jersey Lyric Opera (NJLO) performs at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre for a second year with a weekend of opera favorites on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, July 26-28, during the Summer Opera Festival. The weekend includes the presentation of three operas, plus the Gala Spectacular, a showcase of opera favorites.

The opera weekend kicks off with Rigoletto (Friday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.), the tragic story of the unprincipled Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto, and Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda. It’s a cautionary tale of love and jealousy, with famous melodies La donna è mobile and Caro Nome. The performance stars Christopher Connelly, Amanda Simms, and John Villemaire.

Next is the Puccini opera Tosca (Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.), the tale of a famous singer who tries to save her love from a corrupt government and police chief. Soprano Stacey Canterbury, tenor Nikhil Krushna, and baritone Chris Drago Fistonich star.

The Gala Spectacular (Saturday, July 27, 7:30 p.m.) features a program with live, on-stage performances including opera favorites “The Pearlfisher Duet,” “The Queen of the Night,” “Nessun Dorma,” “Pilgrim Chorus,” and the Ghost Scene from Don Giovanni, all paired with rare opera gems. Bass Timothy Kjer, mezzo Brittany Griffith, and soprano Emily Woodruff return from last year’s La Traviata.

The Summer Opera Festival concludes with Elixir of Love (Sunday, July 28, 2 p.m.), a romantic comedy set in a modern day shopping mall. Sebastian Armendariz, Izaya Perrier, Robert Flora, Natalie Pica, and Theresa Carlomagno perform.

Tickets start at $25. Visit Kelseytheatre.org. The theatre is on the campus of Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.