San Diego’s classical music community is thriving. This is especially true with opera, where grassroots efforts lead the way in preserving the art form. Such is the case with the student-run Point Loma Opera Theatre (PLOT). Established in 2009 on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University, the organization was created when the college was unable to continue its opera program. Students mounted a campaign to raise funds by staging concerts anywhere a stage could be set up, from churches to retirement centers. Combined with letter writing and donation requests, the efforts proved successful. Major productions have been staged each fall since PLOT’s opening; dual programs of Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” and Giaccomo Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” in 2009, and Jules Massenet’s “Cendrillon” in 2010. This year’s production will be Mozart’s “La Finta Giardiniera,” directed by student Kirsten Shetler. According to soprano Christen Horne, who will perform the role of Aminda in the production, there were many possible operas to choose from, but “La Finta” hit criteria beyond just the storyline and music. “It fit the singers that we knew we had available, and it fit the language criteria,” Horne said. “We try to cycle through the standard languages every four years. We needed an opera in Italian since we performed a French opera in 2010 and an English opera the year before that.” The opera is performed in Italian with English subtitles projected. Look for the next production to be in German, said PLOT organizers. While learning the music is difficult enough, Horne said staging the event itself is an enormous undertaking. “All operas are extremely involved,” Horne said. “For ‘Finta,’ we started preparing for the opera in January.” Although in the past PLNU faculty, community members, prospective students and alumni have been in the cast, this year’s program will be a student-only affair. Auditions were held in March. “We bring in an outside panel of experts to cast the opera for that season to ensure no casting biases,” Horne said. “For ‘La Finta Giardiniera’ we brought in USC graduate students whose emphasis of study was opera, and who had been recently involved in USC’s own production of this very opera.” Horne said each performance involves much more than one sees on stage. “PLOT is run by six board members who are students and are participating in the opera via singing, conducting or public relations,” she said. “The PLOT board organizes the production from selecting the opera, stage director, artistic vision, set production, PR and working out the production logistics. The members in PLOT wear multiple hats as organizers and performers.” There are some who are a part of PLOT who are not performing, but who are important assets to the organization, notably Shetler. She is joining PLOT for her third opera season. “Staff at PLNU’s music department has also helped in making sure PLOT is able to run smoothly,” Horne said. Musical backing will be provided by Dr. Phil Tyler and the PLNU Orchestra, expanding the involvement of PLOT to more than just singers, but orchestra members as well. Zoey Flint, the production’s public relations manager, notes that with current economic pressures, support from local businesses has been key to PLOT’s success. In addition to donations, gift cards for raffles have been contributed by 18 area shops, including Stumps Family Market, Fiddlers Green restaurant, Newport Avenue Optometry, Miss Match clothing shop, Good Point Gasoline, Ocean Beach Antique Mall and Baron’s The Marketplace. While Horne said she is thrilled to be a part of this year’s production, she said she’s also happy to be able to spread the word about opera in general. “PLOT provides needed opportunities for developing singers, directors, conductors and instrumentalists to gain performance and production experience, as well as provide innovative and exciting operas for the San Diego community,” Horne said. “Through local concert series, we provide ourselves opportunities to share our gifts and our passion for opera with the community,” she said. Though “La Finta Giardiniera” has yet to be staged at the time of this interview, Horne and the members of the Point Loma Opera Theatre are already looking toward 2012. “Next year, students still plan to continue PLOT, and have even started to explore through the German opera repertoire. The current and prospective student leadership is always looking ahead, constantly planning for future productions and concert venues,” Horne said. “La Finta Giardiniera” will be performed at Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma Opera Theatre, 3900 Lomaland Drive, on Nov. 4, 9, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m., as well as on Nov. 6 and 13 at 3 p.m. For more information about the production, visit (619) 226-7979, or visit www.pointlomaoperatheatre.com. For tickets, call the PLNU music department at (619) 849-2325.