As the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy’s 2015 program is but weeks from launching, we had a marvellous time on May 24th at Roberto Martella’s Grano Restaurant for our Operatic Luncheon!
COSI’s Board Chair and Gala Host, Mary Lou Fallis, CM, humorously led our afternoon as we dined and delighted ourselves with very beautiful operatic gems. Joseph Macerollo, OC, first regaled us virtuosically with his accordion, and pianist Kathryn Tremills, COSI’s Director of Collaborative Activities, was our vibrant, resident orchestra for these filling operatic portions of Mozart, Rossini, Puccini and Verdi. Sopranos Lucia Kramer Cesaroni and Danika Lorèn, mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, tenors Adrian Kramer and Justin Stolz, and bass Vartan Gabrielian served us favourites from Le nozze di Figaro, Il barbiere di Siviglia, La Bohème, and La Traviata.
Did you want tickets to the Canadian Opera Company, Tafelmusik, or the Stratford Festival? Our silent auction had them, thanks to generous sponsors and the rallying enthusiasm of board member Brenda Morgan. How about a voice lesson from Mary Lou Fallis, or a vocal health consultation from Aaron Low and The Voice Clinic? Those were up for auction, too, and they all went to the highest bidder!
COSI 2015’s performance offerings include Mozart’s Così fan tutte, with the COSI Orchestra conducted by Vancouver Opera’s Leslie Dala, Cavalli’s La Calisto with the COSI Baroque Ensemble conducted and stage directed by the Dutch Touring Opera’s Timothy Nelson, and Artistic Director Darryl Edwards conducting oratorio works by Mozart, Dvorak and Verdi, with pianist Shannon Hiebert. The Courtyard Concerts series will have and songs and arias by Gioacchino Rossini performed by our young COSI Artists. http://www.co-si.com