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'Rigoletto' in Duluth

First produced in 1851, Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Rigoletto" is a masterpiece of the composer's white-hot maturity, and has continued to grip audiences with its shadowy fable of sexual predation, betrayal and murderous intrigue. Lyric Opera of the North presents two performances of Verdi's drama, with singer John Pierce as the court jester whose plot to assassinate his daughter's aristocratic seducer goes tragically off-kilter. Tenor John Cudia gets the best-known aria, though — the Duke's braggadocious "La donna è mobile" ("Women are fickle things"). (7:30 p.m. Thu. & Sat.; Marshall Performing Arts Center, Duluth; $12-$57, 1-218-464-0922 or loonopera.org)

Celebrating the harp

The American Harp Society is in Minnesota for its summer gathering. The conference kicks off Sunday with a pair of public concerts showcasing an instrument too often tucked away on the periphery of symphony orchestras. The first concert features soloist Katherine Siochi, gold medal winner at last year's triennial USA International Harp Competition, who plays pieces by Debussy, Chopin, Ravel and Elias Parish-Alvars. A second evening recital puts Minnesota vocalists and instrumentalists in the spotlight with a program featuring music by local composers Dominick Argento and Stephen Paulus. (2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sun.; Boe Chapel, St. Olaf College, Northfield; $12, ahssummerinstitute.org)

Pirates for Pride

One Voice Mixed Chorus celebrates Twin Cities Pride with a frisky revamp of Gilbert & Sullivan's nautical romp "The Pirates of Penzance." The producers have promised a gender-bending musical adventure for the whole family — in an outdoor setting, no less. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Advance reservation required. (7:30 p.m. Thu., 3:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. Sun.; Raspberry Island, St. Paul; free, onevoicemn.net)

Fresh folk music

Folk music is constantly being reinvented, as old tales are gradually altered by constant retelling. Catch a fresh take on traditional tunes from Britain, Greece and Argentina in "Folk Ballads Retold," a recital devised by soprano Andrea Leap, flutist Julie Johnson and percussionist Bob Stacke. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Studio Z, St. Paul; $8-$15, studiozstpaul.com)

Beethoven for everybody

The Minnesota Sinfonia continues its al fresco summer season with two free programs featuring the music of Brahms and Beethoven. Looking for a family-friendly musical outing this summer? The Sinfonia welcomes children and young people to all of its free concerts. (7 p.m. Thu., Phalen Park Amphitheater, St. Paul; 7:30 p.m. Fri., Lake Harriet Band Shell, Mpls.; free, mnsinfonia.org)

TERRY BLAIN