A Memorable Afternoon in Paris Opens the OPAS Fall 2026-27 Season

There are some performances where everything comes together just right. The artist, the music, the setting and the audience all become part of the experience.

An Afternoon in Paris was one of those performances.

On Sunday, September 13, OPAS opened its Fall 2026-27 season at Festival Hall with two-time Tony Award nominee and Theatre World Award-winner Christine Andreas and her longtime musical partner, Martin Silvestri.

Part of the OPAS Candlelight Series, the afternoon was designed to offer something a little different from a traditional concert. Candlelight, dramatic stage lighting, a dozen roses resting on a Steinway piano and an intimate setting transformed Festival Hall before the first note was even played.

And then Andreas and Silvestri took the stage.

An Extraordinary Musical Partnership

Andreas and Silvestri have been married for more than 30 years, and their connection was evident throughout the performance.

Silvestri's arrangements and accompaniment moved seamlessly with Andreas as she transitioned between music and storytelling. Together, they took the audience on a musical journey through New York, London and Paris, drawing from a career that has included Broadway, London's West End, Carnegie Hall and some of New York City's most celebrated stages.

Throughout the afternoon, Andreas also paid tribute to legendary women of the American musical theater, including Mary Martin, Julie Andrews and Ethel Merman.

One of the concert's most moving moments came with “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” delivered with a simplicity that allowed the emotion of the song to take center stage.

But it was the music of Edith Piaf that truly transported the room.

For a Moment, Festival Hall Became Paris

With Andreas singing in French and Silvestri on accordion, the mood inside Festival Hall shifted completely.

Suddenly, the candlelight, roses and intimate setting felt less like downtown Greensboro and a little more like Paris.

The afternoon reached its high point with Andreas' performance of “La Vie en Rose.” As the final notes landed, the entire audience rose to its feet for a standing ovation.

And the afternoon wasn't quite over.

Andreas returned for an encore in French as the audience clapped along. When it ended, the crowd rose once again, giving Andreas and Silvestri their second standing ovation of the afternoon.

Following the performance, Andreas continued the experience in the Festival Hall lobby, greeting guests, posing for photos and signing CDs for fans.

It was a fitting ending to an afternoon built around something the Candlelight Series does especially well: creating an opportunity to experience extraordinary artists in a setting that feels remarkably personal.

And the Fall Season Is Just Beginning

An Afternoon in Paris may have opened the season, but there is much more to come from OPAS this fall.

The OPAS Pop-Up Series continues with The Concert Truck September 20–26, bringing live music directly into communities throughout Lake Country. Rhythm & Brews follows on October 23 in collaboration with Reynolds Lake Oconee, followed by Broadway Sings for OPAS on November 8 and two performances of the annual Fa-La-La holiday concert on December 12.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for An Afternoon in Paris and helped make our first performance of the fall one to remember.

We can't wait to see you at the next one.