You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone” applies to The Natchez Festival of Music.

My feet ached for three hours as I stood in the balcony of the Vienna State Opera House to see Don Giovanni, my first opera. I felt lucky to be there.

Traveling as a recent college graduate, I remember the opera cost me $3 when the entire budget of $15 a day was the vogue. I had never seen live opera before. I had never heard so much Italian! I felt cultural and worldly but not in love with opera.

Brought up on Broadway tunes, Methodist hymns and classical piano, I then graduated to rock and roll and married into western swing. I went to big concerts and shows in big cities. Opera was not my first entertainment choice … until visiting and then, ultimately moving to Natchez.

Here, I found a town with a very long-standing heritage of welcoming musicians and singers into their homes and hearts. Here was the month-long Natchez Festival of Music, presenting vocalists with classically trained voices singing many different types of music.

For 18 years, the Natchez Festival of Music has brought music to school children, 17,000 this year alone. The festival has brought world-class talent to Natchez and contributed to the local economy, while making a major impact on the cultural environment and the quality of life for all in the area.

This year, I decided to attend as many performances as possible. It has been exhilarating and exhausting because there were over 25 public performances in May and at least equal that number of private concerts to civic groups and private gatherings.

I heard a variety of music, not only opera. I learned interesting music history. I sang and hummed more than usual. I listened to the radio and my CD collection more often. I felt more musical.

And, I rearranged my schedule so that I could attend all performances during the final week. Now, that final week is here and it is not to be missed.

Today a free cover cast performance of “Così Fan Tutte” will be at noon, in Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center. It will last about an hour and children are welcome.

On Friday, a free concert in Memorial Park will be performed at noon. Two Plantation Performances are scheduled for Friday evening at Elms Court and Auburn.

The grand finale performance will be Saturday evening, presenting Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte,” a humorous tale of love, deception, and trust, featuring beautiful voices, on-stage fun and a full orchestra.

After the opera, a Closing Gala at The Elms will complete the season with a summer soirée of food and libation. It will be an evening to remember.

For ticketed events, call 601-445-6103, go to www.NatchezFestivalOfMusic.com or visit Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at the Natchez Visitors Center.

Whether you recognize Joni Mitchell or Cinderella, the glam metal band of the ’80’s, singing “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone,” this year’s Natchez Festival of Music will be over soon. I will miss it.

The festival is a unique gift of music to the community and there are only these few remaining opportunities to enjoy it.

I do think I know what will be gone and I look forward to next year already.

Liz Dantone is a Board Member of the Natchez Festival of Music.