[FAC] Cal Opera seeking artists

[Maria Franco]

Artists are welcome in displaying their artwork at the Tower Theatre on July
27 & August 3 performances. 

Dr. Diane Nixon
Education Coordinator, COA
CALIFORNIA OPERA ASSOCIATION
559.692-2146
dnixon at tuiu.edu 

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 

JULY 27 - 2:30PM SUNDAY - TOWER THEATRE, 815 East Olive Avenue
'NORMA'  Conducted by Berkley Opera Director and Metropolitan Opera Maestro
Jonathan Khuner, the title role of Norma will be performed by COA stage
veteran Diva Soprano Jamie Bonetto.  The role is one of the most demanding
of any coloratura soprano.  Critics of the work write "Brava to any Diva
that tackles such a beastly difficult role.... The fate of 'Norma' is in her
hands, and her voice."  The story unfolds as a secret love unites Norma
(Soprano Jamie Bonetto) with Pollione (Tenor and Stage Director Fred
Winthrop), by whom she has borne two children. But Pollione has grown tired
of the aging druidess and has fallen in love with the youthful Adalgisa
(Mezzo-Soprano Sally Muzon). Despite Adalgisa's piety and virtue, she agrees
to flee to Rome with Pollione, and innocently tells Norma of her love... You
can imagine what happens next... But questions need to really be
answered.... What will Norma do about this?  What happens to Adalgisa? What
about Norma's children?  How will Pollione ever survive?  Learn the answers
to these questions with us through the fully staged production on Sunday
July 27th at 2:30 PM in the Tower Theater.  

August 1st * Friday at 7 PM * FRESNO ART MUSEUM, 2233 North 1st Street
Between Clinton & McKinley
Sponsored by St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Greek Night features Ioanna
Karvelas, from the National Conservatory of Athens, a Greek-American
dramatic soprano who has become an ambassador of Greek Classical Music
always performing along with her theater engagements a wealth of
compositions beginning with the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Lincoln
Center in New York as well as in Germany, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria and the
Ukraine. Ioanna is joined by COA youth led by Constantine, Chrysanthe &
Evangelia Pappas in this annual tribute to Greek music and culture.

August 2nd * Saturday at 7 PM * ST. THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1410 North
Wishon Avenue Across from Tower Theatre. The Festival Artist Showcase
features singers from around the world, highlighting a range of traditional
classic and international styles, celebrating the singers' contributions and
accomplishments and honoring the visiting Taiwanese professors and
outstanding vocal artists attending this summer's festival events.

AUGUST 3 - TOWER THEATRE - 2:30PM SUNDAY - 815 East Olive Avenue
'IL TABARRO' In Puccini's Il Tabarro, staged on a barge by New York director
Michael Davis and conducted by Resident Maestro Leonard Ingrande, it is the
Baritone Michele (Nickolaus Schiffman of Santa Barbara in his premiere at
the summer opera festival) whose wife, Giorgetta, yearns for another
(Soprano Stephanie Hower of Fresno).  She plans to meet Luigi (COA stage
veteran Tenor Zachary Sheely of Lemoore).  She tells Luigi that she will
light a match as a signal that it is safe to board the boat.  That night, as
Michele reflects on his life together with Giorgetta, he lights his pipe
with a match.  Luigi sees this as a sign that it is safe to board the
boat.... Uh Oh... So learn what happens next in the fully staged production
on Sunday August 3rd at 2:30 PM in Tower Theatre. 

Other FYI: The 2008 California Opera Arts & Education Festival couples COA
stage veteran's with international and locally renowned newcomers in a
community oriented approach to opera education.  Each year, the Fresno based
California Opera Association offers a summer Festival that blends
international exchange and classroom-based educational opportunities for
aspiring stage artists culminating in fully staged opera performances with
an array of concert-style opera performances and recitals for the community.
Having completed the opening concerts at Fresno Art Museum ('Opera
Espanol'), Temple Beth Israel ('Shalom') and San Joaquin Gardens ('Fresno
Heritage') during this first 'Meet & Greet' Weekend, we are looking forward
to sharing the fully stage productions at Tower Theatre (Sundays at 2:30 PM
on July 27th NORMA and August 3rd IL TABARRO)  and the upcoming concert
style presentations at the Fresno Art Museum (Friday August 1st  at 7 PM
sponsored by  St. George Greek Orthodox Church)  and at St. Therese Catholic
Church (Saturdays at 7 PM on July 26th and August 2nd) where the majority of
hands-on workshops, master-classes, stage preparation courses, and the
annual vocal competition will occur. The supporting cast members for the
summer productions include visiting professors and students of opera from
around the world, including  40 adult and youth vocalists from Taiwan,
England, Greece, Italy, Armenia, Turkey, Israel, Mexico, Canada, and of
course our own national talent, this year representing New York, Alabama,
Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and California.  COA members repeat hosting up to 40
children from China this year, who will be immersed with our local youth,
participating in daily classes refining English and music skills, studying
Fresno, California and US History, touring Yosemite, and participating in
Festival events. Annual Festival sponsors include the continued support of
the FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL, BANK OF THE WEST, EXXON MOBIL, FRESNO OPERA LEAGUE,
and MEMBERS OF THE CALIFORNIA OPERA GUILD, among other businesses, families,
and individual OPERA & ARTS LOVERS LIKE YOU!  And as a bonus, COA Guild
offers a $500 gas card raffle prize this year (that's over 100 gallons ~and
wouldn't we all want to win that)!   Hope to see you with family and friends
at these opera festival events!