LANCASTER, Pa. (Jan. 26, 2026) – Penn Square Opera, Lancaster’s only opera company, will present an evening of romantic opera selections just in time for Valentine’s Day. “The Ex Files — Tales of Romantic Mystery & Mishap” is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 13, at The Trust Performing Arts Center, 37 N. Market St. in downtown Lancaster.

Tickets are on sale now at lbc.edu/events or lancastertrust.com.

Penn Square Opera is passionate about the fact that opera is the culmination of the performing arts: singing, sets, costumes, stories and orchestra—all combined to create musical experiences. Penn Square Opera was created with two goals in mind: to provide professional performance and training opportunities for talented artists at the beginning of their career in a nurturing and supportive atmosphere, and to bring professional performances of opera and musical theatre to Lancaster audiences and the region.

Penn Square Opera performers on Feb. 13 include tenor Peter Drackley, mezzo-soprano Kate Jackman, soprano Abigail Martin, baritone Jeffrey Martin and pianist Kendra Bigley. They have performed worldwide on the opera stage and are passionate about both performing and teaching.

“The Ex Files” is a program of beloved arias and duets that explore the passions, betrayals and heartbreaks of love gone wrong. From fiery confrontations to wistful laments, these timeless scenes reveal the drama, humor and humanity that make opera’s tales of romantic misadventure so unforgettable. Selections will include arias from operas such as “Le Nozze di Figaro” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “Samson et Dalila” by Camille Saint-Saëns, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi, “Carmen by Georges Bizet, “The Secret Garden” by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon, and “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein.

Tenor Peter Drackley has showcased his vocal prowess in roles such as Calaf in “Turandot” and Samson in “Samson et Dalila” with St. Petersburg Opera. In 2025, the artist made several significant debuts: Roberto in “Maria Stuarda” with Opera Baltimore, Don José in “Carmen” with St. Petersburg Opera, Justice Antonin Scalia in “Scalia/Ginsburg” with Raylynmor Opera and as the tenor soloist in “Beethoven’s 9th Symphony” with the Brevard Symphony. A grant awardee of the prestigious Olga Forrai Foundation, Drackley has also joined forces with companies such as the Ravinia Festival, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Anchorage Opera.

Mezzo-soprano Kate Jackman is a multifaceted performer, renowned for her magnetic stage presence. This season, she returns to Maryland Opera to sing Suzuki in Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.” Last season, she sang the role of Federica in Washington Concert Opera’s production of Verdi’s “Luisa Miller.” Her repertoire has ranged from Baroque to Verismo and classic to new works, with roles such as Bradamante in “Alcina,” Maddalena in “Rigoletto” and Prince Orlofsky in several productions of “Die Fledermaus.” Jackman is also a concert soloist and recitalist, performing at The Kennedy Center, Baltimore Symphony and at The Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.

Soprano Abigail Martin has performed nationwide and internationally both in concert and on the opera stage. A frequent concert artist, she has most recently been a featured soloist in Bach’s “Mass in B Minor,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and Saint-Saëns’ “Christmas Oratorio.” She has delighted audiences in roles such as Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni,” the title role of Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah,” Gretel in “Hansel and Gretel” and, most recently, in the role of Monica in Menotti’s “The Medium” with Penn Square Opera. When she is not performing, Martin maintains a full collegiate voice studio and enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeffrey, and children.

Baritone Jeffrey Martin is garnering attention as a formidable voice of the region. He appears regularly on the concert stage as a soloist, most recently in Fauré’s “Requiem,” Saint-Saëns’ “Christmas Oratorio” and Bach’s “Mass in B Minor.” Most notably, he sang the role of Jesus in a staged version of Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” with the University of Minnesota in collaboration with the Hochschule für Musik Detmold in Germany in both locales. Martin was also engaged for multiple seasons as a Festival Singer in Sherrill Milnes’ Savannah Voice Festival. He enjoys his position as Director of Vocal Studies at Lancaster Bible College, where his wife, Abigail, also teaches as an adjunct instructor.

Pianist Kendra Bigley is a versatile collaborative artist and respected pedagogue. She has performed frequently at The Trust with artists such as Amy Owens, Doris Hall-Gulati, Christopher Dylan Herbert, Samantha Hankey, Jennifer Aylmer, Thomas Meglioranza, Timothy Long and Christopher Shih. She has also collaborated with artists at the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Lancaster Art Song Society, Temple Opera, Boyer College of Music and Dance, Messiah University, Franklin & Marshall College, Millersville University and Lancaster Bible College, where she is on faculty. In the musical theatre genre, Bigley has worked as a music director, conductor, vocal coach and accompanist at many theatres and schools.

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In 1912, the Lancaster Trust Company finished its new headquarters—a Beaux Arts masterpiece from the imagination of Lancaster’s leading architect, C. Emlen Urban. A century later, Lancaster Bible College reimagined it into The Trust Performing Arts Center—a stunning venue for arts and culture in the heart of Lancaster. The Trust has a mission to honor God by encouraging excellence in the work of student and professional artists and by enriching the community through inspiring, challenging and redemptive experiences.

Founded in 1933, Lancaster Bible College provides an accredited university-level education for multiple careers with a focus on the Bible and a biblical worldview, Christ and Christian character. LBC’s mission is to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society. In 2025, LBC introduced its new tagline, “Experience Different,” which highlights the college’s four key differentiators – biblical integration, authentic community, relational education and exceptional location.

Accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation, LBC is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International. Specialized accreditations are also in the areas of: Social Work (Council on Social Work Education), Music, Worship & Performing Arts (National Association of Schools of Music) and Sport Management (Commission on Sport Management Accreditation).

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