Not widely publicized outside the niche worlds of Portland's comic drawing and opera going communities, every time Portland Opera debuts a new show, the company invites local cartoonists to one of the final dress rehearsals to sketch the performance. 

It's a bit of a gimmick, but hey: opera comics! And much of the work is very good, offering a fresh perspective on an art not typically known for its accessbility.

The scribblings from Portland opera's new Ravel double-header, L'Heure Espagnole and L'Enfant et les Sortileges (The Spanish Hour and The Bewitched Child) have just been put up, and can be viewed here. Several of the artists have also blogged their own impressions.

Check out WW's own comic-free coverage of the two one-act operas here.