Dress rehearsals have begun in Opera Lafayette’s production of the “The Blacksmith” in Mancos, and the public is invited.

The Mancos Creative District, which has partnered with the Washington, D.C., opera company, said the rehearsals will be free through Oct. 2.

The rehearsals will be at the Mancos Opera House. The production will premiere Oct. 9 at the historic Menefee Barn on Echo Basin Road.

“It is the first time an opera will be performed at the Mancos Opera House,” said Anne Beach, events coordinator for the Mancos Creative District.

The free rehearsals run through Friday, from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sessions are limited to 10 attendees, and advance registration is required. Attendees may reserve a spot by emailing Beach at anne@mancoscreativedistrict.com.

The story follows a blacksmith’s daughter who is in love with a cowboy. However, the blacksmith’s sister is vying for the same man.

The 18th century opera has “human comedic situations everyone can relate to,” Brown said.

Ryan Brown, founder and artistic director of Opera Lafayette, said Reddert Ranch has been in his family for generations, and he is excited to debut the production.

The opera is a revitalization of the 18th century French comic opera Le Maréchal ferrant (“The Blacksmith”). It is set in the West in the late 19th century and incorporates American folk songs where the original French songs would have been. The team created a violin, guitar and fiddle arrangement for the songs.

Andrew Saletta, a music instructor in Mancos, organized six local musicians to join the three professionals for some of the songs. Mancos students will perform with the ensemble Oct. 7. Parents are invited to attend.

“That way, if people can’t afford tickets they can still go,” Beach said. “It’s going to be lots of fun.”

ehayes@the-journal.com