On Monday, July 26 at 8 p.m. the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor will be filled with the operatic sounds of Intermezzo, the New England Chamber Opera Series. The occasion marks what may by the first documented performance of opera at the 110-year-old Opera House.

Then on Tuesday, July 27, the Opera House's five week Family Series continues when master clown and juggler Randy Judkins takes the stage at 6 p.m.

Intermezzo will perform two contemporary one-act operas sung in English. The first, Menotti's "The Telephone," is a humorous look at love and that common household item, the telephone. The second act is "The Letter," by Brian Hulse and is based on an Edith Wharton short story set in 1905. Brian Hulse is the 2004 composer in residence for Intermezzo.

Intermezzo produces contemporary chamber operas and brings new and exciting works to various locations in New England.

"I am looking forward to seeing opera in the Opera House," said Stephen Coppick, executive director, "and the Intermezzo Chamber Opera is particularly well suited to the Opera House because the company's mission is to perform contemporary pieces in intimate spaces.

"Intermezzo has developed an excellent reputation throughout New England, and we're proud to be presenting them as part of our first concert series. Their style is to remove the emphasis from elaborate costumes and sets and place it where it belongs: with beautiful voices and soaring music. This really draws an audience into the action, and the fact that they sing in English makes the opera accessible to all."

A few hours later, Opera House audiences will have a very different experience. Tuesday evening's Family Series performance is likely to include an introduction to the concept of "Mathemagics," as taught by Professor Rhombuss, one of Randy Judkins' characters.

Other characters that Judkins often introduces to audiences include Ralphie, a high school student, Sunny Day, a high school PE instructor, and Harley Horatio Hotshot, an alter-ego from the streets of New York who thinks his unicycle is a "...1000 cc, four-stroke, 2-cylinder monocycle with power brakes, air-conditioning, overhead seat, and four wheel drive (minus three)."

Clowns do go to college, and if they're lucky, they get an instructor like Judkins. He has taught at the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Florida and at the Julliard School of Music in New York. A popular and sought-after entertainer, Judkins' clowning has taken him all over the world. He has performed previously at the Opera House as part of the sixth-grade drug awareness program, weaving valuable lessons in life and self-esteem into his act. Special family fare of hot dogs, pizza, and soft drinks is available before the performance. Other games and activities round out this opportunity for families to enjoy a night of fun together.

Tickets to the Monday night Intermezzo performance are $30 for adults, $25 for students and seniors; Randy Judkins on Tuesday evening is $10 per person. To make reservations contact the Opera House box office, 633-5159.