Come to OperaBend’s Thursday, July 23 preview of their exciting 2016 season including “Via Lactea: An Opera in Two Acts”, a contemporary new opera written by Bend resident Ellen Waterston, composed by Rebecca Oswald of Eugene and performed by OperaBend. In this lyrical allegory, a woman “of a certain age” embarks on a pilgrimage along Spain’s Camino de Santiago in search of answers to life’s questions and, along the way, meets a full array of characters – witty to wise, confrontational to bawdy – who debate love, life, religion and bedbugs. Based on Ellen Waterston’s verse novel, you will be delighted by OperaBend vocalists and guest performers, the masterful original score by Rebecca Oswald, and Waterston’s engaging libretto. The Oxford Hotel, Thursday, July 23, 2015, 5:30-7:30pm. Hosted wine bar, hors d’oeuvres. RSVP by July 20 to lhawker@bendcable.com.