Opera Night, 2020-2021
We have a new web-page
www.operanight.org
(you may need to refresh you page)
to reach the director, contact:
Isabella at vivaldi222@aol.com
This large body of professional operatic singers plus their
piano accompanist will present an entertaining assortment of vocal excerpts
from famous and beloved operas. This promises to be an entertaining evening for
opera lovers and newcomers to opera as well!
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Opera Night, Spring, 2017
If Opera is nothing else, it is surely honest in its portrayal
of love lost, lost found, jilted lovers, infidelity and more. And when added to
the brilliance of the arias and overtures, what can we say we have? Nothing but
a spectacular experience for the audience and singers as well. The singers that Opera Night boasts to
feature, feel they are in great company with professionalism, camaraderie , and
talent abounding. Saturday’s performance
was nothing shy of superb. Under the
direction of Danielle Davis, the program came together flawlessly and
artistically. With the artful hand of
Danielle, the evening was alive with a roster of a tenor, baritone, bass and
five sopranos. The attendance was good,
as I am sure many music lovers have much to choose from on a Saturday
night. We are filled with gratitude that
the choice they make is to come and hear great music! The Barber of Seville’s most animated and
exciting aria, “Figaro,” as many know it as, was sung by baritone, Jonathan
Green. The spirit and fun that he brought to this piece held all of us captured
by his command of a most challenging aria. We were wowed. Mary DeMarco sings
one of my favorites, “Signore, Ascolta!” from Puccini’s Turandot. I spent many evenings “you-tubing” arias by
the great sopranos and this piece I return to time and time again. “Sola, perduto, abbandonata” from Puccini’s
“Manon Lescaut” is one of opera’s dramatic arias that Danielle is undaunted to
present. Manon is heartbroken, dying, and we are transported to a place of profound
sorrow. Danielle’s beautiful and powerful voice takes us there and I do all I
can to stifle back tears. Kofi Hayford
presents a Rachmaninoff aria “Aleko’s cavatina.” Now if you are a Rachmaninoff
connoisseur, did you also know he wrote Opera?
I didn’t. This polished basso, so wonderful, so measured, keeps our eyes
fixed forward and our ears attentive.
Listening to Kofi is a sensory pleasure unlike no other. We hope he
comes back to Opera Night. Terri Dierkes
sings “Porgi amor,” an Opera buff’s delight.
Mozart’s operas can be playful and can also be gripping. He is an unmatched genius of the music world,
and Terri sings this aria with a soulful deliverance. Just grand!
The Pearlfishers duet by Bizet, in the hands of Jonathan Green and
Lindell Carter was marvelous. This piece
truly is a key moment in opera. The
story tells of a triangular relationship and how sometimes friendships win over
in the end. Asuko Uchida, soprano, takes
us in a slightly different direction as she sings “My Lord and Master” from the
musical, The King and I. Playing the role of “Tuptim,” Asuko charms us with her
sweetness and grace. Kylie Lavernchik sings Puccini’s “O mio Babbino, caro,”
with a composure that belies her youth.
Kylie is a high school senior now accepted to two distinguished colleges
and we know singing at Opera Night can only be an asset towards her musical
goals and endeavors. We wish her well. Giovanni Longo, piano accompanist, has
played for Opera Night before. With
capable hands, Giovanni knows the repertoire so well, that he is able to
support and enhance the singers.
Our newsletters always update our coming events, and if need
be, you can always call 631-261-8808, and speak with our director, Isabella
Johnson.
Review from April 8th, 2017 performance:
Isabella, Bruce and I were quite taken by the unique design
of our performance venue at the Church of our Savior, April 8th in
Manhasset. As we waited for singers to
arrive, we looked into the courtyard that was unexpectedly bursting with
hyacinths, daffodils and crocus, despite this very chilly spring. The singers arrived one by one and hurriedly
began rehearsing. The
perks of the assistant director (yours truly) are many. I get to enjoy the back stage banter, the
flurry of activity, the nervousness that is part and parcel of the performing
experience. I am there to be a calm and
happy entity and hopefully to set the tone for a smooth event. The singers are a talented and colorful lot,
and it is always a joy to see how the evening unfolds. Now on to the program!
Danielle Davis is so much more than an accomplished soprano,
artistic director, and stage choreographer. While I can go on to list her many
attributes, I can see that she collects these accolades to her art as a testament
to all her hard work and research.
Danielle sings “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca by Puccini. One of my favorite arias is done with a depth
of emotion that she imparts so well to this role. Tosca is beseeching God to deliver her from
her grief, and indeed we feel her pain.
Danielle brings to life a broken woman, victimized by her
circumstances. Sitting in the audience,
I am moved by Danielle’s account of this operatic tragedy. She pours her heart into this aria, and yes,
she is Tosca.
Gary Lorentzson, baritone, has sung for Opera Night on many
occasions. Truly an audience favorite who can both do serious opera as well as
musical theater. Tonight he pairs up
with Mary DeMarco, soprano, and hand and hand they revel in new love as they
sing “La ci darem la mano” from Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. The sweetness of
this piece has a freshness that transcends time and place.
Eowyn Driscoll, a jewel of a contralto, is performing Wagner’s
“Weiche, Woton, Weich” from the “Ring.” This is the first of four dramas that
Wagner gives to the world of opera. So dramatic and challenging is this aria,
that Eowyn (clad in a gorgeous, burgundy, off the shoulder gown) drives it
forward with a passion and love of opera that soon becomes apparent to all of
us who are true music lovers. Wow! That
is all I can say.
Max Vitagliano, tenor extrordinaire, sings “Di ad Irene”
from Atalanta by Handel. He brings to us
a pastoral aria that was composed in 1736 celebrating the marriage of Frederic,
Prince of Wales. This very complex story line delivered superbly to us, holds
our audience throughout his vocal gymnastics, never second guessing where he is
taking us on this saga of a journey.
Rachel Hippert, soprano, ties up our evening with a soulful
and stylized rendition of Gershwin’s “Summertime.” She caresses the notes, the words, the
sentiments, and places us all in the world of the struggling deep South, and
the sorrow the slaves endured. Porgy and
Bess is a timeless and beautiful aria. Thank-you, Rachel.
The evening gives thanks to our accompanist, Rick Cordova,
who we are able to secure for many performances. A fine pianist, Rick travels the world and
when he finds time, he is able to be a part of Opera Night.
We thank Manhasset’s Church of our Savior, for welcoming us,
and look forward to our next performance in May 6
th in Northport.
Please follow us at
www.operanight.org,
and help us spread the word.
Repertoire
Danielle Davis, soprano
“Senza mamma” from Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini
“O patria mia” from Aida by Giuseppe Verdi
Heather Bobeck, soprano
“Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” from Die Zauberflöte by WA Mozart
“Quando m'en vo soletta” from La boheme by Giacomo Puccini
Stephanie Leotsakos, soprano
“Deh vieni non tardar” from Le nozze di Figaro by WA Mozart
Kristin Starkey, contralto
“L'amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen by Georges Bizet
Jose Heredia, tenor
“Vesti la giubba” from Il Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo
“La roca fría del Calvario” from La Dolorosa by José Serrano
Robert-Heepyoung Oh, baritone
“Votre toast” from Carmen by Georges Bizet
“Nemico della patria” from Andrea Chénier by Umberto Giordano
Pianist:
Giovanni Longo
January, 2017
Program
Act I
“Jasmine Flower” Traditional Chinese song
Danielle Davis, soprano & Arthur Lai, tenor
“What a movie!” from Trouble in Tahiti Leonard Bernstein
Erica Koehring, mezzo-soprano
“Signore, ascolta!” from Turandot Giacomo Puccini
Mary DeMarco, soprano
“O dischiuso ѐ il firmamento,” from Nabucco Giuseppe Verdi
Frances Fascetti, contralto
“Ah! Si, ben mio,” from Il Trovatore Giuseppe Verdi
Arthur Lai, tenor
“Deh vieni, alla finestra” from Don Giovanni W. A. Mozart
Gary Lorentzson, baritone
“Mario, Mario, Mario!” from Tosca Giacomo Puccini
Danielle Davis, soprano & Jose Heredia, tenor
Intermission
Act II
“Pa-pa, pa…” from Die Zauberflöte W.A. Mozart
Gary Lorentzson, baritone & Asuka Uchida, soprano
“Je suis encore étourdie,” from Manon Jules Massenet
Asuka Uchida, soprano
“Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix,” from Samson et Dalila Camille Saint-Saëns
Frances Fascetti, contralto
“Votre toast, je peux vous le render,” from Carmen Georges Bizet
Gary Lorentzson, baritone
“La fleur que tu m’avais jetée,” from Carmen Georges Bizet
Jose Heredia, tenor
“Pleurez! Pleurez me yeux,” from Le Cid Jules Massenet
Danielle Davis, soprano
“Va! Laisse couler mes larmes,” from Werther Jules Massenet
Erica Koehring, mezzo-soprano
“La donna ѐ mobile,” from Rigoletto Giuseppe Verdi
Arthur Lai, tenor
Piano accompaniment by Giovanni Longo
Special thanks to Bethany Presbyterian Church
Review: "Opera Night in Huntington" November 4, 2016
The opening inspired duet "Jasmine Flower," a traditional Chinese song, presented by Danielle Davis and Arthur Lai set the tone for what will be remembered as an opera night highlight! The sweetness of this piece caresses us with memories of summer gardens, mint juleps, and lovely song birds. Can you trust my
instincts when I say The Chinese have always cornered the market on how to display all the beauties of the world through song and art. And Danielle and Arthur let us in through a garden path with this soulful rendition. Erika Koehring, mezzo soprano loved Leonard Bernstein, so much in fact that she lends verve and excitement to his composition, " What Movie! Trouble in Tahiti." Mary Demarco soprano sings for us Puccini's "Signore, ascolta" from Turandot with a charm and heartfelt love of music. Giuseppe Verdi, the king of opera created this spectacular work, Nabucco. Frances Fascetti, contralto, in her commanding
interpretation of "O dischioso e' el firmamento" kept all eyes and ears front and center. This unbelievable piece is the dream of all wonderful contraltos to sing. Frances does more then dream this, she masters and makes it her own. I loved it! When Arthur Lai, tenor, chooses Verdi's "Ah! Si, ben mio", from Il Trovatore, we are convinced of his love of opera. So delicately handled ,but with notes that carried us high and then softly brought us along in the story of Manrico and Leonora before they are to take their wedding vows. As luck does not have it Manrico is then told that his mother Azucena is to be burned at the stake. Oh Opera! Gary Lorentzson, baritone, and Asuka Uchida, soprano, rounds out our evening by reminding us that opera can be somber, riveting, tumultuous, fraught with sorrow, but then again can also underscore the wonderful aspects of the lightheartedness of life. We all thoroughly enjoyed Mozart's " Pa Pa Pa", from "Zauberflote" (Magic Flute). Jose Heredia, tenor, reminds me of Carreras when he gives to us the extraordinarily beautiful "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée" by George Bizet. We are all transported in this journey where Don Jose is about to return to his barracks, and he tells Carmen the flower she gave him helps to keep him strong. To some singers, this piece may just be a series of notes and phrases. But Jose is a professional, and his mastery of voice as he combines the drama, sadness, and beauty of the aria and hands it to us in compelling fashion. I held back some tears because beauty touches the heart, and Jose did just this. Danielle Davis and Jose Heredia tied up our first half with a bow, by presenting Puccini's " Mario Mario Mario" from Tosca. The musical interplay between two accomplished singers was an experience to behold !! Thank you for sharing your love of opera.
Most recent concert:
October 8th, Saturday Night, 7:00 pm Opera Night Halloween Celebration in Northport (270 Main Street0
Program
Act One:
"Der Holle rache" - Magic Flute- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Heather Bobeck, soprano
"Condotta" - Il trovatore - Giuseppe Verdi
Eowyn Driscoll, contralto
"Questo o quella" - Rigoletto - Giuseppe Verdi
Max Vitagliano, tenor
"Il tuo sangue o il mio amore"-Tosca-Giacomo Puccini
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Re dell'abisso affrettati"- Un ballo in maschera- Giuseppe Verdi
Eowyn Driscoll, contralto
"Dalla sua pace"- Don Giovanni- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Intermission
Act Two:
"Habanera"-Carmen- Georges Bizet
Eowyn Driscoll, mezzo
"Embroidery Aria" - Peter Grimes- Benjamin Britten
Danielle Davis, soprano
"Come dal ciel precipita"-Macbeth- Giuseppe Verdi
Kofi Hayford, bass
"Ah fors'e lui" - La Traviata- Giuseppe Verdi
Heather Bobeck
"La donna e mobile"- Rigoletto- Giuseppe Verdi
Max Vitagliano, tenor
"Tu, tu, tu" - Madama Butterfly--Giacomo Puccini
Danielle Davis, soprano
November 4th, Friday Night, 7:30 pm Opera Night in Huntington Station (425 Maplewood Road)
$15
December 18th, Sunday, 4:00 pm Opera Night Holiday Party in Northport
$20
January 14th (Snow date, January 21), Saturday, 7:00 Opera Night New Years Celebration in Huntington (Browns Road)
$20
The Barber of Seville by Rossini's most renown aria is "Largo al factotum,"
or as we lay people like to just say "Figaro." It is considered one of the most
difficult baritone arias to perform. Our newcomer to Opera Night, Eric McKeever
began our evening with this most jubilant piece. Our patrons were hanging on to
every tongue twisting syllable of this joyous, exciting, and effervescent aria
that Eric sung with skill that most certainly engaged us all. Our very own
Lorraine Helvick, a superb mezzo, prepared and served up Verdi's "O don fatale."
Dramatic flair are the words I can't help but to describe her interpretation of
this most gripping aria. Do we need the translation to feel her pain? On no! Not
when this mezzo sings the tale of a woman exiled to a convent and curses her own
beauty (the cause she believes of all her suffering). Brava Lorraine.
Danielle Davis, our Divina soprano, has mastered Verdi's "O patria mia."
The untenable predicament that Aida finds herself in as an Ethiopian princess
and was captured by the Egyptians, left us all feeling the anguish that Verdi
intended us to feel. This is an amazing aria that only accomplished singers love
to have in their repertoire and Danielle has made this masterpiece her own.
Arthur Lai thrilled us with his performance of Massanet's "Pourquoi ne
reveiller." This charismatic tenor is a real crowd pleaser and his choices of
arias are diverse and beautifully delivered.
Coloratura! The thesaurus tells us that the synonyms of this word are
"melodic, song like, tuneful, mellifluous, and poetic." All these words describe
Asuka Uchida's performance of Gounod's "Je veux vivre." We loved it. Gary
Lorentzson's role of Rigoletto lends credence to a man who's tortured, because
his daughter has been abducted. Gary's deep and resonant voice is rich in
expression and served to round out our program that featured, sopranos, mezzo,
tenor, and baritone. Bruce Soloman sang the whimsical "Me voglio fa na casa" by Donzetti. This little gem of a piece has been performed by Pavarotti, Cecelia Bartoli and Angela Gheorghiu to name a few who find this ariette worthy of performing. Bruce delivers this joyous sing song with a sense of happiness, and in its simplicity, the message we get is to love the labor of your hands. With his well trained voice and the love of his art, Bruce takes us all to a place of serenity and sweetness. And to think that a good singer can transform our mood and remind us that the important things in life are gifts that just keep giving.
The piano accompaniment was unparalleled this Opera Night at the UUF.
Director Isabella Johnson took control of the evening in superb fashion and
brilliant artistry. Often times, the piano takes the place of a full orchestra,
but the skill involved in developing the instrumental colors is indeed a
challenge that Isabella meets head on. The singers who come to us unexpectedly,
lend a fresh and spontaneous element to the performance. The hallmark of our
Opera Night series is the dedication of our singers. They are the professionals
that keep alive the Opera repertoire and bring to us the joy of music
appreciation.
Opera Night in Huntington
August 20, 2016 ~ 7pm
Isabella Eredita Johnson, Executive Director, Pianist
Danielle Davis, Acting Artistic Director, Soprano
Act I
Largo al factotum della citta……………….......Rossini
Eric McKeever, baritone
Amour! viens aider ma faiblesse!...........Saint-Saëns
Lorraine Helvick, mezzo
Dein ist mein Ganzes herz………………………...Lehar
Bruce Solomon, baritone
O patria mia…………………...…..........................Verdi
Danielle Davis, soprano
Cortigianni, vil razza dannata…..…………....……Verdi
Gary Lorentzson, baritone
Dei miei bollenti spiriti……........…………………..Verdi
Arthur Lai, tenor
Sull'aria ……………………………….……………...Mozart
Danielle Davis, soprano and Asuka Uchida, soprano
~ Intermission ~
Act II
La ci darem la mano……………....………………...…..Mozart
Asuka Uchida and Gary Lorentzson
Me voglia fanne casa………………………………....Donizetti
Bruce Solomon
Je veux vivre…....………………………………………..Gounod
Asuka Uchida
Infin che un brando vindice……………………………....Verdi
Gary Lorentzson
Pourquoi me reveiller..………………....................Massenet
Arthur Lai
O don fatale…….……………………..….………………….Verdi
Lorraine Helvick
Per me giunto………………………………………….….....Verdi
Eric McKeever
Dich teure Halle……………………………………….....Wagner
Danielle Davis
Please help make the concert an enjoyable experience
for everyone by:
o Silencing all electronic devices
o Refraining from flash photography
