USM to kick off centennial activities

The Associated Press

July 05, 2009 05:06 pm

— HATTIESBURG (AP) — Soprano Renee Fleming's performance Jan. 29 to kick off the University of Southern Mississippi's centennial celebration has been moved from Hattiesburg to Jackson, to take advantage of the capital city's larger Thalia Mara Hall.
Fleming will perform with the USM symphony in a partnership with the Mississippi Opera.
Thalia Mara Hall seats 2,360.
USM Symphony Director Jay Dean says the largest venues in Hattiesburg are 1,000 seats. Dean says the 8,000-seat Reed Green Coliseum on the USM campus was unsuitable.
Dean says Fleming's performance fee and ticket sales will be split by USM and the Mississippi Opera.
Tickets went on sale to the public June 1.