FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Westside Opera Society’s (WOS) Artistic Director and Bel Canto specialist, David Clenny, will present La Sonnambula by Vincenzo Bellini on Nov. 5th at 8 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church on 164 W. 100th Street to benefit their LGBT youth shelter with a suggested donation of $10.00 at the door. La Sonnambula will be the first concert in the Bel Canto Opera Festival series. The second opera of the series will be on February 11th, 2007, 167 years to the day after the first performance of Donizetti’s delightful La Fille de Regiment. The Festival will conclude on May 13th, 2007 with Donizetti’s tragic masterpiece Anna Bolena.
Westside Opera Society (WOS) began a concert series on March 26 featuring legendary Metropolitan soprano Lucine Amara (see group picture below). The second concert on July 6th was a thrilling performance of Rigoletto. Beverly Butrie, who sang a splendid Gilda in Rigoletto, will return to sing Amina in La Sonnambula, a challenging virtuostic role that was a favorite of 19th century prima donnas. Bryce Smith, an awesome Sparacuile in Rigoletto, will sing the role of Count Rodolfo. Bass-baritone David Auxier, a powerful Monterone in Rigoletto, will assume the role of Alessio.
Newcomer Joseph Mayon will make his New York debut with the company in the dazzling tenor role of Elvino created by the legendary singer Rubini. Karen Grahn will sing the role of Lisa, who made her WOS debut in David Clenny’s highly praised opera La Contessa dei Vampiri at the 13th Street Theater and at the Kennedy Center. Rounding out the cast will be lovely mezzo-soprano Sara Henry as Teresa, Gary Filsinger as the Notary and Silfreddo Serano as a villager.
Questions? Contact Musical Director David Clenny. Watercolors of the singers created by GRCC will be sold at the event. All proceeds will go to the shelter.
Pictured from left to right are Lucine Amara, David Clenny, Joe Williams, Evelyn La Quef, David Zimmerman, Beverly Butrie, and Robert Wilber.