By Lauren Northington

For many, opera is hard to enjoy.

Like ballet and symphony orchestra, opera was crafted centuries ago for European aristocracy and was not intended to appeal to “common folk,” but to impress royalty and visiting dignitaries.

Capitol Opera Richmond wants to change that.

The nonprofit, which was designed to bring opera to regular folks, has opened “Noli Me Tangere” at the Henrico Theater , 305 E. Nine Mile Road in Highland Springs.

The opera, which means “Don’t Touch Me” in Latin, is based on the 1887 Filipino novel of the same name written by ophthalmologist Dr. José Rizal after he read “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Producer Gerardo Gaddi believes the story of love, betrayal and revenge will appeal to the first-time opera attendee as much as a highbrow opera fanatic.

The two-hour performance includes an original score written by Richmond composer Anthony Smith, who is musical director of “Noli Me Tangere.”

Mr. Smith, an accomplished pianist, vocal coach, music director and music educator, is the former assistant director of bands and director of percussion at James River High School in Chesterfield County. He currently serves as bass section leader at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Downtown.

Mr. Smith and several of the 22-person cast are African-American, which producers are hoping will bring the opera to life for an ethnically diverse audience.

“The power of the written word changes minds,” Mr. Gaddi told the Free Press. “The inspiration of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ across the world in Asia made me think that we can actually enact change in our own lives.”

“Noli Me Tangere” is performed in Tagalog, the language spoken by about a quarter of the population of the Philippines, and was written by Dr. Rizal in response to the Spanish occupation of the nation.

The opera was intended to expose many of the ills of 300 years of Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The Spanish government executed Dr. Rizal in 1896. The book is now required reading for all Filipino schoolchildren.

The opera also is timed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Jones Act, formally known as the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, that officially declared the U.S. government’s commitment to grant independence to the Philippines.

Mr. Gaddi hopes the Richmond audience will be inspired by the opera’s spirit of revolution.

He said the opera company performs in several mid-sized, U.S. cities under the Capitol Opera name. But this is the first time it has been held in Richmond.

The company “fits into our vision and passion for fostering diversity through the classical arts,” he said.

“Noli Me Tangere” will run through Sunday, Oct. 16, in Richmond, and will feature a free performance 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, for students and veterans with valid I.D.

After its Richmond run, “Noli Me Tangere” will begin a six-state tour from Alabama to Illinois to Massachusetts aimed at non-traditional operagoers.