RETURNING HOME; LOCAL SINGER BRINGS OPERA TO LANCASTER.

Byline: Greg Botonis Daily News Staff Writer

Lisa Livingston is returning to perform in her native Lancaster after appearing for more than seven years in Europe as a professional opera singer.

The Antelope Valley High School graduate initially wanted to sing country western music, but a Pepperdine University professor guided her toward the classics.

``That's why I'm so excited about this,'' said Livingston. ``To bring the world of opera to the Performing Arts Center and to give people in the community the opportunity to experience it is really a great feeling. I'll be performing in my hometown in front of people I knew as I grew up here. It will be exciting.''

Livingston will perform selected pieces at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, which is at 750 W. Lancaster Blvd.

The singer began her professional career after receiving her bachelor of arts in music from Pepperdine University and her master's degree from Yale University School of Music.

She sang with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony and appeared with the Santa Fe opera, Chattanooga opera and the Schubert opera in Connecticut.

In the beginning of the 1993-94 season, Livingston began a two-year contract with the Zurich Opera House in Switzerland as a mezzo-soprano.

``I really enjoy it,'' Livingston said. ``With opera, you feel the voice of the person singing, and you become a part of the performance. Opera is usually sung in a foreign language and, like any form of communication, if you don't understand, it's difficult to enjoy. So some just dismiss it, but it really is the most powerful form of music.''

By the end of the 1993, she had advanced to soprano roles, starting first as Romeo in ``I Capuleti e I Montecchi'' with the Opera Orchestra of New York.

``My voice just seemed so natural when I sang soprano,'' said Livingston. ``It just seemed that it was the right choice.''

Now living in Ulm, Germany, with her husband and their 2-year old daughter, Livingston began a two-year contract with the Theater in Ulm. She sang the premiere of ``Tosca.''

In Lancaster, the first half of the performance will be what are considered the ``top hits'' of Italian opera, sung in Italian. An explanation of the lyrics as well as an overview of the pieces will be printed in the program guide. The second half will be a medley of spirituals and selections from George Gershwin's ``Porgy and Bess.''

``I'm really looking forward to performing,'' said Livingston. ``But there are a lot of people from high school and that I grew up with that I am really looking forward to seeing as well.''

Tickets for the show are $20 for all seats and are available at the LPAC box office or by calling [phone]. A reception in the main lobby will follow the performance.

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Photo

PHOTO (Color) Singer Lisa Livingston is happy to be bringing opera to her hometown when she performs at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center.

Hans Gutknecht/Daily News