WATSEKA -- Critically-acclaimed throughout Europe and North America, popular bass Peter Volpe performs the role of Colline in Puccini's La Boheme, headlining Sugar Creek Symphony & Song's inaugural opera and classical music festival in Watseka over Labor Day Weekend.

A New York native and Indiana University alumnus, Volpe performed for six years in Europe as principal bass in Bremen and Karlsruhe and made guest appearances in numerous other cities.

Since returning to America, Volpe has appeared with the New York City Opera performing the title role in "Don Giovanni," Sparafucile in "Rigoletto" and Colline in "La Boh?me." He also has performed Zœ–iga in "Carmen" with the Santa Fe Opera, Gremin in "Eugene Onegin" with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and several roles with the Opera Company of Philadelphia including Colline, the Speaker in "Die Zauberflšte" and Alidoro in "La Cenerentola."

This spring, Volpe performed the title role in Opera Illinois' production of "Don Giovanni." He will sing Sparafucile for the Arizona Opera, Zœ–iga for Kentucky Opera, and debut with the Metropolitan Opera in its new production of "War and Peace." Next season, he returns to the New York City Opera to sing the title role in "Don Giovanni" and "Sparafucile," and to the Metropolitan Opera for its production of "Les Troyens."

The Sugar Creek production of "La Boh?me" will be 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Glenn Raymond Auditorium in Watseka. Ticket are $20-$40. For seating, festival and ticket information, visit www.sugarcreekfestival.org or call 866-468-3401. Appearances by Volpe and the festival's other singers are underwritten by the First National Bank of Gilman and Watseka.