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Audience inside White concert Hall to attend Cellos at the Opera. This event was organized by Topeka Cello Collective and Washburn Cellos.
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Rick Stones, board of directors for the Topeka cello collective, welcomes everyone in the event. The event started at 7:30 p.m.
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Topeka Cello Collective founder and director Erinn Renyer (right) and Stones (middle) recognized a family member of sponsor Mary Dultmeier for a $1,050 donation to the organization’s general fund. Dultmeier was remembered as a dedicated supporter of the Topeka arts community.
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Raffaele Cipriano, director of the orchestra and assistant professor of music, conducts the cello with a baton. Around 500 people attended this event.
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Cello musicians perform on their instruments. Altogether seven pieces were performed.
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Lisa Gerstenkorn, contralto, performs solo. Gerstenkorn performed “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle.”
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Lauren Wilson (left), mezzo-soprano, and Ryan Metcalf (right), tenor, perform “All I Ask of You,” a selection from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The event ended at 9 p.m.
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Joseph DeSota, tenor, performs “The music of night,” a selection from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” by Webber. DeSota is an assistant professor of music at Washburn University.
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Crystal Buck (left), soprano, and DeSota (right), perform the theme to “The Phantom of the Opera.” Topeka Cello Collective was founded in 2012 with the mission of transforming experiences of amateur cellists by music performed and to unite in a common goal of bringing joy to others through music.
On Thursday, May 7, Topeka Cello Collective and Washburn Cellos held Cellos at the Opera at White Concert Hall from 7:30 p.m. Around 500 spectators were present at White Concert Hall.
Rick Stones, board of director for the Topeka Cello Collective, described this event.
“Tonight’s program is built around a simple but exciting vision, bringing the world of opera to our community in a way that feels welcoming, engaging and accessible to everyone,” Stones said. “… This evening, you’ll hear familiar overtures and arias reimagined through the rich, expressive voice of the show. These selections capture the drama, lyricism and energy that make opera such a powerful artistic expression.”
Lisa Stubbs, board member of Topeka Cello, described why this kind of event is important for the community.
“It’s extremely important one, because music education is important,” Stubbs said. “But then we have free events for the public so they can come and appreciate the music and gather and enjoy the better quality of life because of that.”
Crystal Buck, lecturer in music, described the overall performance.
“I think that … Everyone did great,” Buck said. “The idea behind this was to have a really fun collaborative experience with a variety of different talents and experiences. And I think everyone did a beautiful job.”
Buck said that music always brings people together and is something shared no matter where people are or what language they speak. She explained that performing with members of both the Washburn and Topeka communities was a meaningful shared experience. She added that being able to share music together made it a wonderful experience.
The program ended by expressing appreciation to the musicians, performers, faculty, collaborators, volunteers and audience members for their continued support of live music in the community. Thanks were also given to the 2026 season sponsors whose contributions helped support concerts, outreach programs and educational opportunities for young musicians.
Season sponsors included Patt Allen, Alexander Doel, Bill and Emilie Gahnstrom, Matt and Jenn Harader, Cynthia Heath, Susan Lytle, Bruce McKinney, Bette Morris, Todd and Erinn Renyer, Stephen and Edie Smith and anonymous donors.
Edited by Stuti Khadka
