Friday, March 2nd, 7:30 pm
Kelly Horsted, piano accompanist
Singers for this evening will include:
Justine Lorenteson, soprano
Gary Lorenteson, baritone
Laura Smith, mezzo soprano
Bruce Solomon, tenor
Marie Michalopoulos, mezzo soprano
Ariana Warren, mezzo soprano
Ron Meixsell, baritone
Julie Meixsell, soprano
Jessica Stolte Bender, soprano
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
Kimberly Iannuzzi, soprano
Lauren Haber, soprano
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
Below is an interview with James Besser, one of Opera Night's piano accompanists. This interview was done by Jenny Ingersoll. Read his candid interview. For any strong reactions (in agreement or disagreement), feel free to respond to assistant director, Maddalena Harris at: maddalen@optonline.net
1) How did you initially get involved in Opera Night?
I am a vocal coach, and I have a client, Arthur d’Antonio. He likes Russian music and he works for the IRS, but he loves to sing. He used to live on Long Island, near Northport. He knew about Opera Night, and he invited me to accompany him. We did Tchaikovsky together, and Isabella liked me. Isabella uses several accompanists, as audiences like a variety.
2) How did you get into vocal coaching?
I started going to opera at age 6, as my grandma introduced me. It is very hard to have a solo piano career. So I began to think about how to make a career of it. I gravitated toward vocal accompanying. But I really got interested in high school.
3) Did you study it?
They give degrees in accompaniment now, but they didn’t back then. So I got my degree is music. I studied at Stanford, class of 78’. With a general degree in music, you learn about different aspects and types of music.
4) What is your favorite type?
I don’t have a favorite type. You need to be open-minded. You can not have a favorite composer. Would you ask someone if they had a favorite child? Why do we have to choose a favorite? That’s B.S.
5) So I am guessing you also don’t have a favorite performance memory.
You don’t need to have a favorite
6) Do you have any future goals?
I am a specialist in vocal opera music. But I want to spend more time with instrumentalist and augment my career. Now I have much less work, and fewer chances in classical music. There is a classical music crisis.
7) Tell us more about crisis
I got into music by just listening to the radio, but WQXR, 105.9 is the only classical music station in NY. People care less about music, I have less work than ever, so I am now working in politics. I am hoping to be appointed to the community board to start my political career. Manhattan has 11 boards, and I hope to make some points – there are too many lawyers in politics. We need people with different backgrounds. I am creative, and you need different perspectives so we can think outside the box. People in opera are creative, and we have creative solutions to problems.
But because of pre-occupation in making education relevant, and making people find jobs, they think arts won’t help people find jobs or get an income. No wonder society isn’t creative – there are no arts. Arts can allow creativity in other departments. There’s folk, there’s classical, there’s jazz. Then there’s pop. Irving Berlin – that’s a step below – that’s pop. What people call music today is trash, noise, garbage. Beyonce, Rihanna, trash, noise, garbage. Lady Gaga is trash, noise, garbage. Andrea Bocelli is horrible. He belongs in kindergarten, he has no talent, he needs a voice lesson.
Society is not educated – not exposed. Like an exotic dish from the Philippines. Rather than saying you don’t like it, you can say you don’t know it, but don’t say you don’t like it till you try it. Until recently, we were exposed in school. It is a problem with all the arts. People don’t care. Same thing in painting. Andy Warhol. Trash and garbage. People should care about Vermeer, van Gogh. The whole society is degraded. People can’t tell the difference between music and noise.
Everything is opposite. If she’s bad, she’s good. I went to buy jeans at Filene’s. I wanted a clean set. They just sell jeans with holes in them. The more holes, the more expensive. It’s like if we ordered food – I want stale food and I want mouse turds in it. Please put roaches in the coffee, and I’ll pay lots of money for it.
Now, actual musicians are Aaron J Kernis. Another is David Lang or Thomas Ades. The Beatles changed music for the worse. Rock is a degenerate art form. It promotes loud music - it glorified loud electronic music. John Lennon caused millions of people to lose their hearing. It is going to hurt your ears. Your ears are not supposed to hear that. It should be acoustic music that is un-amplified.
I had a client call me today. He wanted to go to a recording studio, and it only had a keyboard with 4 octaves. They didn’t have a full piano. He was fine with it, but it is not a piano.
People are mentally ill. Society – our family, and our neighbors, and our friends. And that’s what society is. And the problems are caused by them.
Below is an interview with Opera Night singer, Lorraine Helvick.
Interview by Jenny Ingersoll, recent Harvard Graduate.
1) What sparked your initial interest in opera?
What sparked my interest in opera was really just a fluke of needing a summer job during high school. I was working as a camp counselor when I was 16 and my best friend asked me if I would like to quit and work with him at the MET. His uncle just happened to be the house manager and needed help during the week in his tickets dept. I quickly took the opportunity to get out of the scorching sun and work in NY City. My friend and I had a blast exploring the sets of the operas during our break. We went backstage and hung out in the mountains of Carmen and ate lunch in the boxes of the theater. We watched the infamous chandeliers being cleaned and got to go where the public tours won't allow. And so I decided to listen to an opera. I actually never heard any and had the stereotypical fat lady in horns expectation. But I listened to Porgy and Bess and then to La Boheme and I couldn't stop. (They are still my two favorites and although there isn't much for mezzo, I will still sing "My Man's Gone Now" at the top of my lungs in the shower and in the car of course.) Then I decided to go against everything I've known and try to sing. I opened my mouth and I knew what I was going to do for the rest of my life. Previous to this I was taking Latin in high school and preparing to work for NASA. But this changed everything.
2) Having performed in places such as Switzerland, Wales and Canada you certainly have international experience. Do you have a favorite performance memory abroad?
I have so many amazing memories from all the places that I have travelled to. There was a time in Wales where we were invited to sing a concert at a church and then sing as the guest for the mass later that day. It turns out that the mass was really a funeral mass and in the middle of a piece we saw the casket being taken down the aisle and placed right in front of us. A more positive experience was in Switzerland. I went as a American Spiritual Guest Soloist during their American Spiritual festival in January. At the end of the festival we put together a collaboration concert. Although any "W" sounded like and American "V" with their accents mixed in, the audience was so grateful for us sharing our music they ended up paying for our hotel stay and accommodations for the two weeks we were there along with a big dinner party. I really loved everything about Switzerland and would go back any time they asked me.
3) How are the experiences of working in a university versus non - university setting similar and different?
The biggest difference is that in an academic setting you are constantly surrounded by your craft. When you graduate, you no longer have as much access to music, scores, discount prices, and just time it takes to learn music. Trying to be in an opera, hold a full time job, some part time jobs, and hone your skills with lessons and coachings is a tricky balance. That is why Opera Night is so important and such a wonderful program. I used it to help me perform my audition arias or have a place to perform a work that I was hired for some place else. It helps to keep up my skills, learn new repertoire, make connections, network, and learn from other singers with a more advanced skill set. The expectations for professionalism is the same. How far your technique can take you at what particular level you are at should not stop at the academic setting. Your voice keeps growing and moving and singers constantly work on their technique, but when we leave school, there is a level of expectation that may not be realistic for what your voice can do and handle at that time.
4) Can you tell us what it's like to work with HBO's & the MET's Anthony Laciura?
Working with Anthony Laciura is nothing but a joy. His knowledge and experience are priceless and he truly cares about each one of his students. Rarely will a singer find a mentor that travels around the
country to support their students in performances, competitions, and
auditions. Another great aspect is that Anthony is also a great
acting coach. I get mentored in so many more ways than just singing.
He is almost like a life coach.
5) Do you have a favorite language to perform in?
My favorite language to perform in would have to be Czech or French.
6) What's your dream role?
I have sooo many dream roles. Every Mezzo dreams of Carmen. But I
would like Charlotte, Santuzza, and Amneris added to that too.
-Jenny Ingersoll
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Friday, October 14, 2011
Opera Night update
What is Opera Night all about? When is the next concert? How can I participate?
e-mail your questions to Isabella at: vivaldi222@aol.com
Your questions will be answered promptly!
Opera Night began in 2004 as an informal "open mic" gathering of opera lovers at a café in Northport, New York, where singers were invited to bring sheet music for arias and duets and show off their talents for the community. Because the audience grew so quickly, in 2006 the performances were moved to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and the number and professionalism of singers increased dramatically. Singers range from teenagers still in school to senior citizens, and from seasoned pros to talented amateurs, all sharing a love of performing opera arias for enthusiastic local audiences.
Since the beginning, performances have been given in Northport on the first Friday of the month; a second monthly Opera Night performance is now given in Oyster Bay on the third Sunday of the month. Over the years, Opera Night has met requests to perform in other Long Island towns, including Greenlawn, Huntington, Manhasset, Lindenhurst, Commack, Roslyn, Douglaston, and the Walt Whitman and Tanger shopping malls. Isabella Eredita-Johnson, the Music Director, is in charge of each performance, assembling the singers and accompanists, and occasionally performing herself as pianist, with or without other musicians. Singers may choose their own pieces, with the Music Director's approval, with Opera Night providing the accompanist for the singers.
Opera Night Mission Statement: The goal of Opera Night is to foster the production and appreciation of opera and chamber music in the Long Island community by providing an excellent venue for participating musicians. Opera Night brings together Long Island's finest singers, chamber musicians and costume designers in a location with fine acoustics, accompanied by a professional on a Steinway piano. Opera Night performances have consistently drawn audiences of 200 or more, and the Board has endeavored to continue to afford to established and emerging performers a large and appreciative audience. Talented singers and musicians are regularly invited to participate and new artists are welcomed along with returning ones. The long term goal of Opera Night is to establish an opera house and concert hall on Long Island, so that local artists have a home and the community outside New York City has a closer venue in which to experience consistent artistic excellence. The goal of Opera Nights is to keep concerts local and affordable, so that everyone has access to live opera on Long Island.
Until now, almost every Opera Night performance began with a chamber music performance, such as the 25 minute work by Bela Bartok entitled "Contrasts," for violin, clarinet and piano, which was performed by musicians from the Northport Symphony Orchestra at the October concert. However, beginning in January 2012, the chamber music portion of the concerts will become an occasional addition to Opera Night, rather than a regular feature, to accommodate the audiences' preference for singers performing popular arias over the 20th century music preferred by the chamber musicians. November's Opera Night will be introduced by a Huntington Town Councilwoman who is a supporter of the arts in the local community, and December's program will feature holiday music along with the regular program of arias and duets, with singers dressing in festive attire for the occasion. May is usually the month we have an Opera Night in Costume extravaganza, a perennial audience favorite, where most of the singers perform in a costume appropriate to their musical selection. For a complete look at past performances, see the attached email newsletters sent regularly to Opera Night's patrons.
All of Opera Night's activities are devoted to music, with a particular emphasis on operatic music, and funding comes from donations, including suggested donation for tickets to each concert. Opera Night intends to seek grants from local organizations which support the arts, such as the Huntington Art Council, and to engage in fundraising activities such as a gala.
Opera Night L.I., Inc. will continue to do business as "Opera Night," because that is the name that has become known in the community over the past 7 years and it is "Opera Night" which has developed such a large and devoted following of opera fans.
Opera Night performed in Oyster Bay on October 23rd, 2011:
A collage of autumn colors surrounded our performance venue in Oyster Bay on Sunday. The subtle variations of natures colors escorted each singer in , as the entered with music in hand and in heart. And that is what they gave our audience....their hearts! The arias that were brought to us were woven throughout the evening as a fine tapestry might be too be artfully assembled. Yes, our singers are the artisans of the music world, their voice is their craft, and in turn we receive their gifts with exuberance. As Fall brings us a full cornucopia of musical delights, so too with the month of December. Be a part of our Christmas program on December 16th in Oyster Bay and welcome in the season with gaiety and your love of Opera. We will do the rest!
- Maddalena Harris
October 23rd, Sunday 4:00 pm in Oyster Bay
"Psyché"
Emile Paladilhe
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Ah, mes amis"
La fille du régiment (Daughter of the Regiment)
Gaetano Donizetti
Robert Murphy, tenor
"Salve Regina"
Giacomo Puccini
Linda Garrity, soprano
"Ritorna vincitor!"
Aida
Giuseppe Verdi
Maria Ciccaglione, soprano
"Smanie implacabili"
Cosi fan tutte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"O quante volte"
I Capuleti e I Montecchi
Vincenzo Bellini
Kimberly Iannuzzi, soprano
"Ah! per sempre"
I Puritani
Vincenzo Bellini
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Un bel di"
Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Stride la vampa"
Il Trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
intermission
"Must the winter come so soon"
Vanessa
Samuel Barber
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Wiegenlied"
Op.49 No.4
Johannes Brahms
Kimberly Iannuzzi, soprano
"O du mein holder Abendstern"
Tannhäuser
Richard Wagner
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Io son l'umile ancella"
Adriana Lecouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Printemps qui commence"
Samson et Dalila
Camille Saint Saens
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Donde lieta"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Linda Garrity, soprano
"Deh' tu bell'anima"
I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Vincenzo Bellini
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"Una furtiva lagrima"
L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti
Robert Murphy, tenor
" Voi lo sapete, o mamma"
Cavalleria Rusticana
Pietro Mascagni
Maria Ciccaglione, soprano
Richard Cordova, piano
Other News:
Town of Huntington's 10th Anniversary of Women's Networking Day
Rhonda Shephardson (Director of Women's Services) organized a very successful event on October 26th, networking, and displaying information. Opera Night is a musical series and involves many talented Opera singers as well as Opera lovers, attracting hundreds of Opera fans. One day, we hope to have an Opera house. An Opera house involves more networking, and companies/donors who are willing to sponsor. Perhaps that day may come.
In the mean time, we HOPE to see you at our next event on November 4th. If we're lucky, Councilwoman, Susan Berland will be in attendance, and say a few words of support. Feel free to stop by, and come up to us during the refreshment hour.
e-mail your questions to Isabella at: vivaldi222@aol.com
Your questions will be answered promptly!
Opera Night began in 2004 as an informal "open mic" gathering of opera lovers at a café in Northport, New York, where singers were invited to bring sheet music for arias and duets and show off their talents for the community. Because the audience grew so quickly, in 2006 the performances were moved to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and the number and professionalism of singers increased dramatically. Singers range from teenagers still in school to senior citizens, and from seasoned pros to talented amateurs, all sharing a love of performing opera arias for enthusiastic local audiences.
Since the beginning, performances have been given in Northport on the first Friday of the month; a second monthly Opera Night performance is now given in Oyster Bay on the third Sunday of the month. Over the years, Opera Night has met requests to perform in other Long Island towns, including Greenlawn, Huntington, Manhasset, Lindenhurst, Commack, Roslyn, Douglaston, and the Walt Whitman and Tanger shopping malls. Isabella Eredita-Johnson, the Music Director, is in charge of each performance, assembling the singers and accompanists, and occasionally performing herself as pianist, with or without other musicians. Singers may choose their own pieces, with the Music Director's approval, with Opera Night providing the accompanist for the singers.
Opera Night Mission Statement: The goal of Opera Night is to foster the production and appreciation of opera and chamber music in the Long Island community by providing an excellent venue for participating musicians. Opera Night brings together Long Island's finest singers, chamber musicians and costume designers in a location with fine acoustics, accompanied by a professional on a Steinway piano. Opera Night performances have consistently drawn audiences of 200 or more, and the Board has endeavored to continue to afford to established and emerging performers a large and appreciative audience. Talented singers and musicians are regularly invited to participate and new artists are welcomed along with returning ones. The long term goal of Opera Night is to establish an opera house and concert hall on Long Island, so that local artists have a home and the community outside New York City has a closer venue in which to experience consistent artistic excellence. The goal of Opera Nights is to keep concerts local and affordable, so that everyone has access to live opera on Long Island.
Until now, almost every Opera Night performance began with a chamber music performance, such as the 25 minute work by Bela Bartok entitled "Contrasts," for violin, clarinet and piano, which was performed by musicians from the Northport Symphony Orchestra at the October concert. However, beginning in January 2012, the chamber music portion of the concerts will become an occasional addition to Opera Night, rather than a regular feature, to accommodate the audiences' preference for singers performing popular arias over the 20th century music preferred by the chamber musicians. November's Opera Night will be introduced by a Huntington Town Councilwoman who is a supporter of the arts in the local community, and December's program will feature holiday music along with the regular program of arias and duets, with singers dressing in festive attire for the occasion. May is usually the month we have an Opera Night in Costume extravaganza, a perennial audience favorite, where most of the singers perform in a costume appropriate to their musical selection. For a complete look at past performances, see the attached email newsletters sent regularly to Opera Night's patrons.
All of Opera Night's activities are devoted to music, with a particular emphasis on operatic music, and funding comes from donations, including suggested donation for tickets to each concert. Opera Night intends to seek grants from local organizations which support the arts, such as the Huntington Art Council, and to engage in fundraising activities such as a gala.
Opera Night L.I., Inc. will continue to do business as "Opera Night," because that is the name that has become known in the community over the past 7 years and it is "Opera Night" which has developed such a large and devoted following of opera fans.
Opera Night performed in Oyster Bay on October 23rd, 2011:
A collage of autumn colors surrounded our performance venue in Oyster Bay on Sunday. The subtle variations of natures colors escorted each singer in , as the entered with music in hand and in heart. And that is what they gave our audience....their hearts! The arias that were brought to us were woven throughout the evening as a fine tapestry might be too be artfully assembled. Yes, our singers are the artisans of the music world, their voice is their craft, and in turn we receive their gifts with exuberance. As Fall brings us a full cornucopia of musical delights, so too with the month of December. Be a part of our Christmas program on December 16th in Oyster Bay and welcome in the season with gaiety and your love of Opera. We will do the rest!
- Maddalena Harris
October 23rd, Sunday 4:00 pm in Oyster Bay
"Psyché"
Emile Paladilhe
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Ah, mes amis"
La fille du régiment (Daughter of the Regiment)
Gaetano Donizetti
Robert Murphy, tenor
"Salve Regina"
Giacomo Puccini
Linda Garrity, soprano
"Ritorna vincitor!"
Aida
Giuseppe Verdi
Maria Ciccaglione, soprano
"Smanie implacabili"
Cosi fan tutte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"O quante volte"
I Capuleti e I Montecchi
Vincenzo Bellini
Kimberly Iannuzzi, soprano
"Ah! per sempre"
I Puritani
Vincenzo Bellini
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Un bel di"
Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Stride la vampa"
Il Trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
intermission
"Must the winter come so soon"
Vanessa
Samuel Barber
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Wiegenlied"
Op.49 No.4
Johannes Brahms
Kimberly Iannuzzi, soprano
"O du mein holder Abendstern"
Tannhäuser
Richard Wagner
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Io son l'umile ancella"
Adriana Lecouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Printemps qui commence"
Samson et Dalila
Camille Saint Saens
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Donde lieta"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Linda Garrity, soprano
"Deh' tu bell'anima"
I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Vincenzo Bellini
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"Una furtiva lagrima"
L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti
Robert Murphy, tenor
" Voi lo sapete, o mamma"
Cavalleria Rusticana
Pietro Mascagni
Maria Ciccaglione, soprano
Richard Cordova, piano
Other News:
Town of Huntington's 10th Anniversary of Women's Networking Day
Rhonda Shephardson (Director of Women's Services) organized a very successful event on October 26th, networking, and displaying information. Opera Night is a musical series and involves many talented Opera singers as well as Opera lovers, attracting hundreds of Opera fans. One day, we hope to have an Opera house. An Opera house involves more networking, and companies/donors who are willing to sponsor. Perhaps that day may come.
In the mean time, we HOPE to see you at our next event on November 4th. If we're lucky, Councilwoman, Susan Berland will be in attendance, and say a few words of support. Feel free to stop by, and come up to us during the refreshment hour.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Opera Night Mission Statement:
Our goal is to foster the production and appreciation of opera and chamber music in the Long Island Community by providing an excellent venue for participating musicians. Opera Night brings together Long Island's finest singers, chamber musicians, and costume designers. Our concert location provides fine acoustics, with a professional accompanist on a Steinway piano.
Opera Night performances have consistently drawn audiences of two hundred or more. We strive to maintain and grow this popularity so that established and emerging performers have a
large and appreciative audience. This, we believe, will foster the development of their art.
Talented singers and musicians are invited to participate regularly, and we welcome new artists.
Our long term goal is to establish an opera house and concert hall in the Huntington area, so that our local community of artists can have a home—a focal point for their talents and aspirations, and a venue that the listening public can think of as a source of consistent artistic excellence.
Our constant goal is to keep our concerts local and affordable, so that this high end art form will be accessible to the community.
Program: October 7, 2011
"Automne"
Gabriel Faure
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Senza mamma"
Suor Angelica
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Vilja"
Merry Widow
Franz Lehar
Lia Stengren, soprano
"Steal me, sweet thief"
The Old Maid and the Thief
Gian Carlo Menotti
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Come paride vezzoso"
L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Must the winter come so soon"
Vanessa
Samuel Barber
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Ah, non credea mirarti... Ah! non guinge"
La Sonnambula
Vincenzo Bellini
Jessica Stolte Bender
intermission
"Al dolce guidami"
Anna Bolena
Gaetano Donizetti
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Der kleine Sandmann bin ich, st!" (Sandman's Lullaby)
"Hänsel und Gretel"
Engelberlt Humperdinck
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Psyche"
Emile Paladilhe
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Deh, vieni, non tardar"
Le nozze di Figaro
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lia Stengren, soprano
"Come scoglio"
Cosi fan tutte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Jessica Stolte Bender, soprano
"Onegin's aria"
Eugene Onegin
Peter Tchaikovsky
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Acerba voluta"
Adrianna LeCouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Why do they shut me out of heaven?"
12 Poems of Emily Dickenson
Aaron Copland
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giuseppe Verdi
Lauren Haber, soprano
Kelly Horsted, piano accompanist
Pre-concert program:
Contrasts, by Bela Bartok.
I. Verbunkos (recruiting Dance)
II. Piheno (Relaxation)
III. Sebes (Fast Dance)
Catherine Brown, clarinet; Laura Mole, violin; Jonathan Bley, piano
Program: August 21st in Oyster Bay
"Que fais-tu blanche tourterelle"
Romeo et Juliette
Charles Gounod
Mary Liz O'Neill, mezzo soprano
"La fleur que tu m'avais"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Si, mi chiamano Mimi"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Quia respexit"
Magnificat
Johann Sebastian Bach
Jackie Murphy, soprano
"Mandoline"
Gabriel Faure
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Resta immobile"
Gugliemo Tell
Gioachino Rossini
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Toothpaste Time"
Cabaret Songs Vol. 3
William Bolcom
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"D'amor sull'ali rosee"
Il trovatore
Guiseppe Verdi
Cheryl Warfield, soprano
intermission
Liza/Pauline Duet
Pique Dame (Queen of Spades)
Peter Tchaikowsky
Cheryl Warfield and Lorraine Helvick
Pauline's aria
Pique dame (The Queen of Spades)
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"Mein sehnen, mein wehnen"
Die Tote Stadt
Erich Korngold
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Tu, tu, piccolo iddio"
Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Voyons que j'essaie"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Heiden-Röslein"
Franz Schubert
Jackie Murphy, soprano
"Forse la soglia attinse...ma se m'e forza perderti"
Un ballo in maschera
Guiseppe Verdi
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"The world feels dusty"
Aaron Copland
Mary Liz O'Neill, mezzo soprano
"Depuis le jour"
Louise
Gustave Charpentier
Lauren Haber, soprano
Our goal is to foster the production and appreciation of opera and chamber music in the Long Island Community by providing an excellent venue for participating musicians. Opera Night brings together Long Island's finest singers, chamber musicians, and costume designers. Our concert location provides fine acoustics, with a professional accompanist on a Steinway piano.
Opera Night performances have consistently drawn audiences of two hundred or more. We strive to maintain and grow this popularity so that established and emerging performers have a
large and appreciative audience. This, we believe, will foster the development of their art.
Talented singers and musicians are invited to participate regularly, and we welcome new artists.
Our long term goal is to establish an opera house and concert hall in the Huntington area, so that our local community of artists can have a home—a focal point for their talents and aspirations, and a venue that the listening public can think of as a source of consistent artistic excellence.
Our constant goal is to keep our concerts local and affordable, so that this high end art form will be accessible to the community.
Program: October 7, 2011
"Automne"
Gabriel Faure
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Senza mamma"
Suor Angelica
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Vilja"
Merry Widow
Franz Lehar
Lia Stengren, soprano
"Steal me, sweet thief"
The Old Maid and the Thief
Gian Carlo Menotti
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Come paride vezzoso"
L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Must the winter come so soon"
Vanessa
Samuel Barber
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Ah, non credea mirarti... Ah! non guinge"
La Sonnambula
Vincenzo Bellini
Jessica Stolte Bender
intermission
"Al dolce guidami"
Anna Bolena
Gaetano Donizetti
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Der kleine Sandmann bin ich, st!" (Sandman's Lullaby)
"Hänsel und Gretel"
Engelberlt Humperdinck
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Psyche"
Emile Paladilhe
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Deh, vieni, non tardar"
Le nozze di Figaro
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lia Stengren, soprano
"Come scoglio"
Cosi fan tutte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Jessica Stolte Bender, soprano
"Onegin's aria"
Eugene Onegin
Peter Tchaikovsky
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Acerba voluta"
Adrianna LeCouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Why do they shut me out of heaven?"
12 Poems of Emily Dickenson
Aaron Copland
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giuseppe Verdi
Lauren Haber, soprano
Kelly Horsted, piano accompanist
Pre-concert program:
Contrasts, by Bela Bartok.
I. Verbunkos (recruiting Dance)
II. Piheno (Relaxation)
III. Sebes (Fast Dance)
Catherine Brown, clarinet; Laura Mole, violin; Jonathan Bley, piano
Program: August 21st in Oyster Bay
"Que fais-tu blanche tourterelle"
Romeo et Juliette
Charles Gounod
Mary Liz O'Neill, mezzo soprano
"La fleur que tu m'avais"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Si, mi chiamano Mimi"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Quia respexit"
Magnificat
Johann Sebastian Bach
Jackie Murphy, soprano
"Mandoline"
Gabriel Faure
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Resta immobile"
Gugliemo Tell
Gioachino Rossini
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Toothpaste Time"
Cabaret Songs Vol. 3
William Bolcom
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"D'amor sull'ali rosee"
Il trovatore
Guiseppe Verdi
Cheryl Warfield, soprano
intermission
Liza/Pauline Duet
Pique Dame (Queen of Spades)
Peter Tchaikowsky
Cheryl Warfield and Lorraine Helvick
Pauline's aria
Pique dame (The Queen of Spades)
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo soprano
"Mein sehnen, mein wehnen"
Die Tote Stadt
Erich Korngold
Stephen Barchi, baritone
"Tu, tu, piccolo iddio"
Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Voyons que j'essaie"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Heiden-Röslein"
Franz Schubert
Jackie Murphy, soprano
"Forse la soglia attinse...ma se m'e forza perderti"
Un ballo in maschera
Guiseppe Verdi
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"The world feels dusty"
Aaron Copland
Mary Liz O'Neill, mezzo soprano
"Depuis le jour"
Louise
Gustave Charpentier
Lauren Haber, soprano
Monday, August 1, 2011
Opera Night in Oyster Bay 7/31/11
Our recent concert:
When we entered the Christ Church of Oyster Bay on Sunday from the balmy outdoors, the A.C. almost takes our breath away. The heady scent of the candles and aged wood permeate, and the tangible silence is broken by the clicks of the light switches turning on. We know that the two hour head start needed for preparations move all too quickly, so our movements are calculated to accomplish the tasks at hand. Juxtapose all these goings on with the mind set of our singers. Are they chatting quietly on a train heading east, or possibly driving in a car vocalizing and mentally readying themselves for the rigors of a the evening? Have they gone over their aria for the umpteenth time, and feel secure in their performance? When they arrive we are happy. How about the audience? Have the managed a quick dinner or plan to dine afterwards? Do they travel near or far for the love of opera? No matter, because they have followed us to the right place, and when they arrive we are happy. The two hours of opera highlights seem to go quickly and yet we seem to capture the moments and take them with us. Our common goal to celebrate great music has been met, and now we seek to recreate and reinvent more of these moments in time.
"Voce di donna, o d'angelo"
La Gioconda
Amilcare Ponchielli
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Che gelida manina"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Si, mi chimano Mimi"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"O don fatale"
Don Carlo
Giuseppe Verdi
Marie Michalopoulos, mezzo soprano
"Tacea la notte placida"
Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi
Cheryl Warfield, soprano
"Con amores la mi madre"
"del cabello mas sutil"
"chiquitita la novia"
Fernando Obradors
Alex Sheerin, tenor
"Be kind and courteous"
Midsummer night's dream
Benjamin Britten
Kate Cooke, soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
intermission
"Adieu, notre petite table"
Manon
Jules Massanet
Kate Cooke, soprano
"Comme autre fois"
Les pecheur de perles
George Bizet
Jessica Stote Bender, soprano
"Chi bel sogno" (Doretta's aria)
La Rondine
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Fleur jetee" Op. 39 #2
Gabriel Faure
Alex Sheerin, tenor
"I wandered lonely as a cloud"
Eric Thiman
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Di miei bollenti spiriti"
La Traviata
Giuseppe Verdi
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"D'amor sull'ali rosee"
Giuseppe Verdi
Il Trovatore
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Habanera"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Marie Michalopolous, soprano
"Quando m'en vo"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Cheryl Warfield, soprano
When we entered the Christ Church of Oyster Bay on Sunday from the balmy outdoors, the A.C. almost takes our breath away. The heady scent of the candles and aged wood permeate, and the tangible silence is broken by the clicks of the light switches turning on. We know that the two hour head start needed for preparations move all too quickly, so our movements are calculated to accomplish the tasks at hand. Juxtapose all these goings on with the mind set of our singers. Are they chatting quietly on a train heading east, or possibly driving in a car vocalizing and mentally readying themselves for the rigors of a the evening? Have they gone over their aria for the umpteenth time, and feel secure in their performance? When they arrive we are happy. How about the audience? Have the managed a quick dinner or plan to dine afterwards? Do they travel near or far for the love of opera? No matter, because they have followed us to the right place, and when they arrive we are happy. The two hours of opera highlights seem to go quickly and yet we seem to capture the moments and take them with us. Our common goal to celebrate great music has been met, and now we seek to recreate and reinvent more of these moments in time.
"Voce di donna, o d'angelo"
La Gioconda
Amilcare Ponchielli
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Che gelida manina"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Si, mi chimano Mimi"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"O don fatale"
Don Carlo
Giuseppe Verdi
Marie Michalopoulos, mezzo soprano
"Tacea la notte placida"
Il trovatore
Giuseppe Verdi
Cheryl Warfield, soprano
"Con amores la mi madre"
"del cabello mas sutil"
"chiquitita la novia"
Fernando Obradors
Alex Sheerin, tenor
"Be kind and courteous"
Midsummer night's dream
Benjamin Britten
Kate Cooke, soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
intermission
"Adieu, notre petite table"
Manon
Jules Massanet
Kate Cooke, soprano
"Comme autre fois"
Les pecheur de perles
George Bizet
Jessica Stote Bender, soprano
"Chi bel sogno" (Doretta's aria)
La Rondine
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Fleur jetee" Op. 39 #2
Gabriel Faure
Alex Sheerin, tenor
"I wandered lonely as a cloud"
Eric Thiman
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Di miei bollenti spiriti"
La Traviata
Giuseppe Verdi
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"D'amor sull'ali rosee"
Giuseppe Verdi
Il Trovatore
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Habanera"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Marie Michalopolous, soprano
"Quando m'en vo"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Cheryl Warfield, soprano
Monday, July 4, 2011
July 1, 2011
July 1, 2011 (Friday at St. Paul's. Northport)
"Caro mio ben"
Giuseppe Giordani
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
"Adio fiorito asil"
Madama Butterfly
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Ave Maria"
Bach/Gounod
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Magische tone"
Konig von Saba
Karl Goldmark
Robert Murphy, tenor
"Die Nacht"
op. 10 #3
Richard Strauss
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Una furtiva lagrima"
L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti
Vicent Ricciardi
"Se come voi"
Le Villi
Giacomo Puccini
Jung-hwa Park, soprano
"Sempre libera"
La Traviata
Giuseppe Verdi
Barbara Divis, soprano
intermission
"Without a Song"
Vincent Youmans
Bruce Solomon, tenor
"Adieu, notre petit table"
Manon
Jules Massanet
Samantha Williams, soprano
"Take, o take those lips away"
op. 37 #2
Amy Beach
Robert Murphy, tenor
"Pursue" (Mandarin song)
Liu Xue An
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Amor ti vieta"
Fedora
Umberto Giordano
Alex Sheerin, tenor
"Si, mi chiamano Mimi"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Be my love"
Nicholas Brodzsky
Vincent Ricciardi, tenor
"Io son l'umile ancella"
Adriana LeCouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
"Love duet"
Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano and Maurizio Casa, tenor
"God bless America"
Irving Berlin
Barbara Divis, soprano and audience
Our Opera patrons were joyful as they streamed in to fill the seats of a rather balmy evening that commemorated a seventh anniversary for Opera Night. No one complained about the warm weather, but rather they scurried in to get the much coveted good seats (to which there are many). Indeed the weather played second fiddle (I couldn't resist) to the lovely interpretive "gems of the piano repertoire" that Isabella regaled us during our chamber half hour. What was to follow was a presentation by gifted artisans of the music world who help us define the magic and mystery of opera. We know now that music lifts us up from the mundane machinations of life. Being more than mere entertainment, opera tranports us from our seats to a world of beauty. We allow ourselves this indulgence because we understand that artists suffer for their art, as musicians suffer for their music, and we become a part of the experience. It is at this nexus (of audience and singer) that communality surfaces and becomes graspable. This is why the first Friday of each month is surely a wonderful amalgam of singer, patron, music, drama, and above all joy.
"Caro mio ben"
Giuseppe Giordani
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
"Adio fiorito asil"
Madama Butterfly
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Ave Maria"
Bach/Gounod
Frances Fascetti, mezzo soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Magische tone"
Konig von Saba
Karl Goldmark
Robert Murphy, tenor
"Die Nacht"
op. 10 #3
Richard Strauss
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Una furtiva lagrima"
L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti
Vicent Ricciardi
"Se come voi"
Le Villi
Giacomo Puccini
Jung-hwa Park, soprano
"Sempre libera"
La Traviata
Giuseppe Verdi
Barbara Divis, soprano
intermission
"Without a Song"
Vincent Youmans
Bruce Solomon, tenor
"Adieu, notre petit table"
Manon
Jules Massanet
Samantha Williams, soprano
"Take, o take those lips away"
op. 37 #2
Amy Beach
Robert Murphy, tenor
"Pursue" (Mandarin song)
Liu Xue An
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Amor ti vieta"
Fedora
Umberto Giordano
Alex Sheerin, tenor
"Si, mi chiamano Mimi"
La Boheme
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Be my love"
Nicholas Brodzsky
Vincent Ricciardi, tenor
"Io son l'umile ancella"
Adriana LeCouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
"Love duet"
Madama Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini
Barbara Divis, soprano and Maurizio Casa, tenor
"God bless America"
Irving Berlin
Barbara Divis, soprano and audience
Our Opera patrons were joyful as they streamed in to fill the seats of a rather balmy evening that commemorated a seventh anniversary for Opera Night. No one complained about the warm weather, but rather they scurried in to get the much coveted good seats (to which there are many). Indeed the weather played second fiddle (I couldn't resist) to the lovely interpretive "gems of the piano repertoire" that Isabella regaled us during our chamber half hour. What was to follow was a presentation by gifted artisans of the music world who help us define the magic and mystery of opera. We know now that music lifts us up from the mundane machinations of life. Being more than mere entertainment, opera tranports us from our seats to a world of beauty. We allow ourselves this indulgence because we understand that artists suffer for their art, as musicians suffer for their music, and we become a part of the experience. It is at this nexus (of audience and singer) that communality surfaces and becomes graspable. This is why the first Friday of each month is surely a wonderful amalgam of singer, patron, music, drama, and above all joy.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Opera Night celebrates 7th year anniversary
History
Our first gathering was on Friday, July 1st, 2004 at the Cafe Portofino in Northport. It was essentially an “open-mic” scenario and singers were invited to join us and bring sheet music for arias and vocal duets.
As the series grew and began attracting more singers and a larger audience, we knew we were on to a good thing! The Cafe Portofino provided a charming "bistro" ambiance for good music, despite the fact that space was limited and the coffee grinding machines could be noisy. Sadly, the first piano was so honkytonk, and in such terrible disrepair that accompanying singers properly was difficult. One of them described playing the piano "like a vocalist singing with a sore throat."
After two years, as our audience grew dramatically, we moved across the street to the St. Paul's United Methodist Church. There, we were able to accommodate more people and we had a Steinway upright piano to accompany the singers. Now chamber music could become an option!
Moving to St. Paul's brought challenges as well as great benefits. Several singers had enjoyed giving comedic performances, and loved the idea of continuing in the "Opera Buffa" style. Others enjoyed singing multiple songs, often of great length. However, it soon became clear that "professional" singing and musicianship had to be our focus. As more singers joined the series, it was essential to give each a chance to perform, even if it meant limiting the number of arias each could sing. Over the years, we have worked hard to keep the quality of our performances consistently high while attempting to be as accommodating as possible. Although our main performance venue is Northport, as our popularity has grown by word of mouth, we have also met requests to perform in Greenlawn, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Manhasset, Lindenhurst, Commack, Roslyn and at the Walt Whitman and Tanger malls.
We have a variety of performers ranging in age from teenagers to seniors. Some are "seasoned professionals," others have active careers in other fields but simply want to share their vocal gift with an audience. We also have voice students who are actively seeking a full time performance career. All of our singers love opera and in return, our audiences love them.
We look forward to a busy summer of performances, as we start a new season of Opera Night concerts. We have an active board, and look forward to more events and opportunities for our singers.
Our first gathering was on Friday, July 1st, 2004 at the Cafe Portofino in Northport. It was essentially an “open-mic” scenario and singers were invited to join us and bring sheet music for arias and vocal duets.
As the series grew and began attracting more singers and a larger audience, we knew we were on to a good thing! The Cafe Portofino provided a charming "bistro" ambiance for good music, despite the fact that space was limited and the coffee grinding machines could be noisy. Sadly, the first piano was so honkytonk, and in such terrible disrepair that accompanying singers properly was difficult. One of them described playing the piano "like a vocalist singing with a sore throat."
After two years, as our audience grew dramatically, we moved across the street to the St. Paul's United Methodist Church. There, we were able to accommodate more people and we had a Steinway upright piano to accompany the singers. Now chamber music could become an option!
Moving to St. Paul's brought challenges as well as great benefits. Several singers had enjoyed giving comedic performances, and loved the idea of continuing in the "Opera Buffa" style. Others enjoyed singing multiple songs, often of great length. However, it soon became clear that "professional" singing and musicianship had to be our focus. As more singers joined the series, it was essential to give each a chance to perform, even if it meant limiting the number of arias each could sing. Over the years, we have worked hard to keep the quality of our performances consistently high while attempting to be as accommodating as possible. Although our main performance venue is Northport, as our popularity has grown by word of mouth, we have also met requests to perform in Greenlawn, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Manhasset, Lindenhurst, Commack, Roslyn and at the Walt Whitman and Tanger malls.
We have a variety of performers ranging in age from teenagers to seniors. Some are "seasoned professionals," others have active careers in other fields but simply want to share their vocal gift with an audience. We also have voice students who are actively seeking a full time performance career. All of our singers love opera and in return, our audiences love them.
We look forward to a busy summer of performances, as we start a new season of Opera Night concerts. We have an active board, and look forward to more events and opportunities for our singers.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
June 3, 2011 St. Paul's Opera Night
"Caro mio ben"
Giuseppe Giordano
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
"Seguidilla"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Melissa Block, mezzo soprano
"Recondita armonia"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Al dolce guidami"
Anna Bolena
Gaetano Donizetti
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Apres un reve"
Gabriel Faure
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Io son l'umille ancella"
Adriana Lecouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Nessun dorma"
Turandot
Giacomo Puccini
Young Ha Kim, tenor
intermission
"Sola, perduta, abbandonata"
Manon Lescaut
Giacomo Puccini
Maria Ciccaglione, soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"My man's gone now"
Porgy and Bess
George Gershwin
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Trees on the Mountain"
Susannah
Carlisle Floyd
Gina Haver, soprano
"Son pochi fiori"
"L"Amico Fritz"
Pietro Mascagni
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
Tosca Duet
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Maria Ciccaglione and Maurizio Casa
7:30: Pre-Concert
Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 2, for flute and clarinet
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6, for flute and
bassoon: Aria (Choros)
Ibert: Cinq Pièces en trio, for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Allegro vivo, Andantino, Allegro assai,
Allegro quasi marziale
Villa-Lobos: Trio for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Animé--Molto allegro
Cindy Lauda, bassoon
Sue Ann Stein, oboe
Sally Shorrock, flute
Jerry Vabulas, clarinet
A roster of fine singers rose to the occasion, as Opera Night approaches its seventh glorious anniversary in Northport. Patrons were riveted to their seats as new repertoire was presented, and the "tour de force" opera gems were revisited. Melissa Block's selection "Seguidilla" from Carmen was both a sublime and sultry offering. We were transported to the cotton fields where Barbara Divis soulfully and believably pined that her man was gone (from Porgy and Bess). An Americana work of art, such as that can not be trusted to just any soprano. Our Barbara did much more than justice to an aria that deserves the singers best! The best is what we heard.
American treasures continued when Gina Haver sang "Trees on the Mountains." The plaintiff wails of an abandoned woman, stirred the pot of our emotions. Does Lauren Haber ever not astound us with the far reaches of her powerful instrument? The aria, "Al dolce guidiami," was a new one for Opera Night and if the audience feels as I do, the next time Lauren sings it, the more we will embrace it.
There were many moist eyes as Lauren's mother was introduced and proudly stood up to the applause of our appreciative audience.
Young Ha Kim commanded center stage. Isabella decided not to introduce his next aria because the first few chords said it all. The audience was enveloped in a rapture that Puccini must have intended us to be absorbed in while listening to "Nessun dorma." Young Ha, you are the best!
Leave it to Jeanny Schwartz, to caress all of us with the sweetness of Faure's "Apres un reve." Cheryl Spielmann sang "Caro mio ben, " an absolute joy for all of us to receive. And finally our newcomers Maurizio and Maria acted out the great duet from Tosca, where religion, art, politics, lust, revenge all melded together!
Oh Opera, you never cease to fail us!
The finale of the evening brought nothing less that a wild standing ovation as the director gifted roses to our wonderful singers.
"Caro mio ben"
Giuseppe Giordano
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
"Seguidilla"
Carmen
Georges Bizet
Melissa Block, mezzo soprano
"Recondita armonia"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Maurizio Casa, tenor
"Al dolce guidami"
Anna Bolena
Gaetano Donizetti
Lauren Haber, soprano
"Apres un reve"
Gabriel Faure
Jeanny Schwartz, mezzo soprano
"Io son l'umille ancella"
Adriana Lecouvreur
Francesco Cilea
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Nessun dorma"
Turandot
Giacomo Puccini
Young Ha Kim, tenor
intermission
"Sola, perduta, abbandonata"
Manon Lescaut
Giacomo Puccini
Maria Ciccaglione, soprano
"Vissi d'arte"
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Lauren Haber, soprano
"My man's gone now"
Porgy and Bess
George Gershwin
Barbara Divis, soprano
"Trees on the Mountain"
Susannah
Carlisle Floyd
Gina Haver, soprano
"Son pochi fiori"
"L"Amico Fritz"
Pietro Mascagni
Cheryl Savitt Spielmann, soprano
Tosca Duet
Tosca
Giacomo Puccini
Maria Ciccaglione and Maurizio Casa
7:30: Pre-Concert
Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 2, for flute and clarinet
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6, for flute and
bassoon: Aria (Choros)
Ibert: Cinq Pièces en trio, for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Allegro vivo, Andantino, Allegro assai,
Allegro quasi marziale
Villa-Lobos: Trio for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Animé--Molto allegro
Cindy Lauda, bassoon
Sue Ann Stein, oboe
Sally Shorrock, flute
Jerry Vabulas, clarinet
A roster of fine singers rose to the occasion, as Opera Night approaches its seventh glorious anniversary in Northport. Patrons were riveted to their seats as new repertoire was presented, and the "tour de force" opera gems were revisited. Melissa Block's selection "Seguidilla" from Carmen was both a sublime and sultry offering. We were transported to the cotton fields where Barbara Divis soulfully and believably pined that her man was gone (from Porgy and Bess). An Americana work of art, such as that can not be trusted to just any soprano. Our Barbara did much more than justice to an aria that deserves the singers best! The best is what we heard.
American treasures continued when Gina Haver sang "Trees on the Mountains." The plaintiff wails of an abandoned woman, stirred the pot of our emotions. Does Lauren Haber ever not astound us with the far reaches of her powerful instrument? The aria, "Al dolce guidiami," was a new one for Opera Night and if the audience feels as I do, the next time Lauren sings it, the more we will embrace it.
There were many moist eyes as Lauren's mother was introduced and proudly stood up to the applause of our appreciative audience.
Young Ha Kim commanded center stage. Isabella decided not to introduce his next aria because the first few chords said it all. The audience was enveloped in a rapture that Puccini must have intended us to be absorbed in while listening to "Nessun dorma." Young Ha, you are the best!
Leave it to Jeanny Schwartz, to caress all of us with the sweetness of Faure's "Apres un reve." Cheryl Spielmann sang "Caro mio ben, " an absolute joy for all of us to receive. And finally our newcomers Maurizio and Maria acted out the great duet from Tosca, where religion, art, politics, lust, revenge all melded together!
Oh Opera, you never cease to fail us!
The finale of the evening brought nothing less that a wild standing ovation as the director gifted roses to our wonderful singers.
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