Troy University’s Opera Workshop will present a student-starred production of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “The Flourishing Arts” at 7 p.m. tonight and Friday at the Claudia Crosby Theater.

The performances are free and open to the public.

Dr. Michael Hix, John M. Long School of Music coordinator of vocal/choral studies at Troy University, said “The Flourishing Arts” has been performed only a few times in the United States. The performance at the Claudia Crosby Theater will be an Alabama premier.

“‘The Flourishing Arts’ is a great introduction to opera and something that everyone will enjoy,” Hix said. “The opera is in French but the English sur titles will be projected above the stage. ‘The Flourishing Arts’ is an easily accessible story. The opera, composed in 1685, tells the story of the Arts – music, poetry, painting and architecture – that flourished under the reign of Louis XIV.

“The opera is an allegory in which the ‘Arts’ sing about their flourishing during Louis XIV’s reign.”

Hix said in “The Flourishing Arts,” the artistic world of Louis XIV is threatened by discord and war and panic spreads among the Arts.

“But peace comes to the kingdom and the Arts flourish again,” he said

Music students from the John M. Long School of Music will perform all of the leading roles and chorus in the production.

“The Flourishing Arts” is made possible through grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the Troy Arts Council.