Rain was in the forecast all week, but when Opera in the Park returned to Garner Park for its 23rd year last Saturday, the sky was mercifully clear.
“House rules are, no one mentions the weather until after the concert’s over,” said Kathryn Smith, general director of Madison Opera, half joking. The annual event was canceled by a thunderstorm in 2023, the first time since it began in 2002.
One attendee on Saturday, John Pepple, is among the event’s loyal fans. He attended Opera in the Park the first year he moved to Madison in 2008, and he loved it so much he’s come back every year since…