MusicBizet’s “Carmen” was a bit of a...

Music

Bizet’s “Carmen” was a bit of a flop at its premiere in 1875. The plot about a Spanish soldier who sacrifices his career and reputation for love of a Gypsy woman was considered too racy, and much of the music didn’t go over well either. Bizet died three months later, never to see the work’s meteoric rise to become the most popular opera in the world.

Opera Pacific will open its 10th season with six performances of Bizet’s masterpiece at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

* What: Opera Pacific present’s Bizet’s “Carmen.”

* When: Saturday, 7 p.m.; Wednesday and Sept. 22 and 23, 8 p.m.; Sunday and Sept. 24, 2 p.m.

* Where: Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: San Diego (405) Freeway to Bristol Avenue exit north. Turn right onto Town Center Drive.

* Wherewithal: $15 to $85.

* Where to call: (714) 556-2787.

Art

British headline-maker Damien Hirst, Terry Allen and the late artists Ed Kienholz and Mark Niblock-Smith are among those whose work is included in “Confronting Nature: silenced voices,” an exhibition divided between Chapman University’s Guggenheim Gallery and Cal State Fullerton’s Main Gallery.

Most of the work on view involves the use of preserved dead animals as a way of dealing with issues of survival, consumption and extinction.

* What: “Confronting Nature: silenced voices.”

* When: Through Oct. 6. Guggenheim Gallery open noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Cal State Fullerton gallery open noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

* Where: Guggenheim Gallery, Chapman University, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange, and Cal State Fullerton Main Art Gallery, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton.

* Whereabouts: Guggenheim Gallery: Exit the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway at Chapman Avenue heading west, then go north on Glassell Street. CSUF Main Art Gallery: Exit the Orange (57) Freeway at Chapman Avenue heading west, then go north on State College Boulevard.

* Wherewithal: Guggenheim Gallery: Free. CSUF Main Gallery: $3 suggested donation.

* Where to call: Guggenheim Gallery: (714) 997-6729; CSUF Main Gallery: (714) 773-3262.

Theater

A revival of “The Secret Garden,” the acclaimed musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s tale, opens today at the Moulton Theatre in Laguna Beach--launching the Laguna Playhouse’s 75th season.

With songs by Lucy Simon and book by Marsha Norman, the show tells the endearing story of young Mary Lennox who is orphaned in British colonial India during a cholera epidemic.

* What: “The Secret Garden.”

* When: Through Oct. 22. Performances Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m.

* Where: Laguna Playhouse’s Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

* Whereabouts: San Diego (405) Freeway or Interstate 5 to Laguna Canyon Road exit, head south.

* Wherewithal: $24 to $30 (adults); $17 to $22 (children).

* Where to call: (714) 497-2787.

Small Stuff

Benefits

Like to try a Blind Pig or a Rhino Chaser? Maybe follow those with a wee Wanker? It’s tamer than it sounds--all are available at the 2nd annual Brewfest.

More than 45 microbrewers from as far away as Boston will gather in Frazier Park to pass out their product, two ounces at a time in a commemorative glass. Food will be sold and designated drivers can sample non-alcoholic brews. All proceeds go to the Special Olympics program.

* What: 2nd Annual Brewfest.

* When: Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.

* Where: Frazier Park, 8800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.

* Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Irvine Center Drive. Turn west and drive into entrance to Irvine Meadows Ampitheater. Follow signs to Frazier Park. * Wherewithal: $25, includes unlimited beer samples.

* Where to call: (714) 833-1173.