The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida’s March 18-19 concert will feature two works from a new opera about Matthew Shephard, the college student whose brutal murder in 1998 gave impetus to the movement to classify violence against people because of their sexuality as hate crimes.

The concert—Love American Style, to be presented at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, March 18-19, at the Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale—will include two scenes from Not in My Town, a new opera by Fort Lauderdale composer Michael W. Ross.

Tickets to Love American Style are available at $35 and $45 on line at gmcsf.org.

The two scenes from Ross’ work have been arranged by the composer for performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida in advance of the full opera’s June 17 world premiere, produced by Opera Fusion.

“We are so honored that Michael Ross and Opera Fusion have chosen our chorus to present the first public performance of “The World is Mine” and “Candlelight Vigil,” two profound and beautiful scenes from the opera,” commented Harold Dioquino, interim conductor of the 165-singer chorus. “It will be a moving experience for us, as well as for our audience.”

The Love American Style concert also will include works by American composers ranging from Cole Porter to Leonard Bernstein and Barry Manilow and from Broadway musicals to spirituals.