Bethlehem's Jeremy Galyon stars in the opera, "Susannah," 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 and 3 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Berks Opera Workshop and the Fall Festival of the Arts production, WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. 5th St., Reading.

Carlisle Floyd's masterpiece was inspired by Appalachian folk songs, hymns and opera melodies. It was written during the 1950's McCarthy Era and inspired by the biblical Apocrypha.

In the opera's plot, Susannah is an innocent young person targeted by closed-minded hypocrites and preyed upon by a corrupt leader.

Galyon, a Metropolitan Opera bass, stars as the Rev. Olin Blitch. The opera includes soprano Tamara Black, Metropolitan Opera tenor Charles Reid and Berks Opera Workshop singers.

Berks Opera Workshop director Francine Black conducts the orchestra. Joel Gori directs the production.

The fully-staged, costumed production of "Susannah" will be sung in English.

There is a multimedia introduction by Berks Opera Workshop President David Richie 45 minutes before each performance.

Tickets: racc.edu/ millercenter, 610-607-6270