SANDPOINT, Idaho — If you want a unique way to spend Halloween, look no further than the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint.
"Our Bel Canto Opera has an exceptional treat prepared for an unassuming audience," said conservatory's founder and Executive Director Karin Wedemeyer, who explains that Bel Canto Opera is part of the Music Conservatory’s opera program that brings professionals and students together. “It holds its own mission by reimaging the art of opera to attract and excite the next generation of potential opera lovers.”
Through its performance “Finger Food,” an Opera Macabre, they will introduce you to one of Sandpoint’s oldest residents, Olivia Dahl. Olivia was a singer who performed for Sandpoint audiences over 100 years ago.
Those at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint were first introduced to Olivia several years ago by Nancy Renk, a local historian. Renk shared with Karin that theirs was not the first conservatory of its kind in Sandpoint.
“Nancy pointed out the existence of a conservatory in Sandpoint dating back to 1908,” said Wedemeyer. “Interestingly, and absolutely intriguing to us, was that one of the early concert participants was a Norwegian opera singer, Olivia Dahl.”
After learning of the former conservatory's existence, Wedemeyer was told that the original announcement of the opening had been preserved in a framed document and discovered at an estate sale.
Karin shares that Olivia Dahl provided a rare recital of Bel Canto Arias for the opening.
“As an opera singer, I find this astonishing,” said Karin, who believes Olivia's ghost still seems to be present at the conservatory.
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