Rossini Festival draws a crowd to downtown Knoxville

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess // Buy this photo

Debka and the Oasis Dancers perform in Market Square during the tenth annual Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival in downtown Knoxville on Saturday, April 9, 2011.

KNOXVILLE — The skies might have been a little dark at times Saturday afternoon with the threat of rain, but the mood in downtown was bright for the Knoxville Opera's 10th annual Rossini Festival and Italian Street Fair.

Thousands of people swarmed Gay Street and the Market Square area sampling food and beverages, checking out the numerous crafts booths and listening to music ranging from opera to instrumentals.

Among those taking in the events was Josh Walker, who was carrying his son Nathan on his shoulders.

"We like all the different foods and pretty much the atmosphere of being out here," he said, adding that he had attended the festival before. "I think it's enjoyable. It is at a good time of year."

According to festival co-chair Gina McMurray, this year's event included some new offerings, such as food tickets to speed up the purchasing process.

It also featured plenty of the familiar, including the diverse crafts and food, and opera music from the central stage on Gay Street.

While the food included much European and American fare and many of the crafts had the familiar Appalachian and folk look, the opera music was definitely Italian.

Performers included local and guest singers taking part in the Knoxville Opera's "I Puritani" at the Tennessee Theatre and the University of Tennessee opera "Albert Herring."

At stages on both ends of the festival site, performers included a UT men's a cappella group and a UT trumpet ensemble. And, on the Market Square stage, some belly dancers performed.

A group from the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism garbed in period dress drew some attention.

McMurray said the festival tries to keep an Italian theme but has a diversity of offerings so the number of potential vendors will not be limited.

"It's a little loose because it is important to sell booth space," said McMurray, who proudly said her grandfather was Italian.

Although 10 percent of the food sales go to the Knoxville Opera, McMurray hinted that the event was more about raising fun instead of funds.

"It's a good chance for people to sample opera," she said. "A lot of people just like to get out downtown. This really draws people."

John Shearer is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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