Sun 7/27 @ 6-7:30PM

A longstanding tradition at the Italian Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park is its annual “Opera in the Italian Garden,” an event that attracts overflow crowds to its sprawling Renaissance-style space, where they spread out picnics on the grass and enjoy an evening of music in the fresh air.

The music is presented by The Cleveland Opera, formerly Opera Circle, founded by singer Dorota Sobieska and pianist Jacek Sobieski, who lead the performers in a program of popular arias from Italian operas (“Nessum dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot is a staple) and Broadway classics, as well as a couple of traditional Italian tunes — expect to hear a tune or two included on Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites, the 1959 album by the recently deceased rock/pop singer of Italian descent. In recent years, the singers have been joined by the Cleveland Ballet to add a little extra visual appeal.

You bring a blanket, lawn chairs, food and drink, and sit on the lawn, or you can buy a ticket to sit in the reserved seat section in front of the stage. Food and drink are also available for purchase. Go here for reserved seat tickets; sitting on the lawn requires no ticket or RSVP.