Themed Heroes and Heroines of the Stage, the Black & White Opera Soiree is a feast of memorable music, featuring glorious arias, duets, and choruses from centuries of opera repertoire -- performed by some of the most gorgeous voices and best musicians in the business.
Music Director of the Houston Grand Opera for the past six years, Patrick Summers has overseen the expansion and growth of the HGO Orchestra as well as appearing in major opera houses worldwide. He is best known for his extensive operatic experience, particularly his formidable grasp of diverse repertoire -- from period performances of Baroque, to bel canto, to grand opera of the late romantic period, to contemporary American works. A musicologist and teacher, Mr. Summers was music director of the San Francisco Opera Center from 1989 to 1994, and was closely associated with the company for nearly twenty years. Mr. Summers made his Metropolitan Opera debut in December 1998.
International superstar Harry Belafonte hosts this glamorous evening, and headliners include superb soprano Measha Bruegergosman and brilliant baritone Gaetan Laperriere. Chorus Master Laurence Ewashko returns to conduct the versatile Opera Lyra Ottawa Chorus. In March 2005, Patrick Summers conducted the National Arts Centre Orchestra, as well as Measha Brueggergosman and tenor Richard Margison, in a sumptuous concert programme of Verdi and Beethoven arias and love duets.
The Black & White Opera Soiree is presented by Bell Canada, in association with Enbridge Gas Distribution and Casino du Lac-Leamy. Special thanks to the Trico Group, Biddle McGillvray Advertising, the Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit, CBC, Radio-Canada Television, and Couleur 97.1 FM.
The Black & White Opera Soiree is an annual winter benefit for the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Opera Lyra Ottawa, featuring some of the most glorious arias and duets of the opera repertoire. Accessible and entertaining, the evening is a tantalising mix of fine food, high fashion, and some of the most beautiful music ever written.
The Black & White Opera Soiree proudly showcases Canadian talent, with proceeds divided equally between the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Opera Lyra Ottawa. Since its inception in 1998, the Soiree has contributed more than $1.8 million to help foster Canada's next generation of talented musical artists through training, mentoring, and showcasing.
The Black & White Opera Soiree takes place on Saturday, February 17, 2007 at the National Arts Centre.
By www.operalyra.ca
Posted December 26th, 2006 by ruzik_tuzik
