J/N Tribute Show

“MERIDEN – When opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti completed his rendition of “Giorgio,” nearly 50 people at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center watching the videotaped performance stood and cheered.

That was the reaction that Valerie Bubon, secretary of the Rosa Ponselle Fund, was hoping to get from her program, “Love in Bloom,” Sunday afternoon as she passed on her passion and knowledge of opera to area residents as part of the center’s monthly Sunday cultural series.

“My premise is you don’t need to know about opera to enjoy it,” Bubon said. “I want them to open their minds and their hearts to the music. The singing is beautiful and I want them to be able to enjoy that, that’s the most important goal.”

Starting with the silent film era, Bubon took her audience through a walk through 20th-century opera using examples such as the Broadway hit, “The King and I,” duets with 1930s stars Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald and classic performances from singers such as Pavarotti.”

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The tribute performances seem to be coming up more frequently these days…

For those of you in the UK, you might want to catch this show. Rebecca Caine is a Canadian soprano who has appeared with major opera companies and in London’s West End musicals. She is performing in May in a show called “Hollywood Ladies.” Among the singers whose songs are showcased is Jeanette MacDonald.

In this photo from her website, Rebecca Caine (as Christine) and other singers from the London West End production of “Phantom of the Opera” pose with the Queen Mother.

Link to press release 

Note: If anyone sees this show, please post a review of it!

Operettas Bringing Romance to Sidney

Charlotte Corwin has roots in Victoria, but her first visit to Sidney will be to bring operettas to town.

Guest conductor Donald Hunsberger, of New York’s renowned Eastman Wind Ensemble, will lead the Montreal soprano and the Palm Court Light Orchestra in the great operettas of the silver screen….

The concert Feb. 12 will offer the music of Victor Herbert, Rudolf Friml and Sigmund Romberg in selections from The Desert Song, Rose Marie, Naughty Marietta and The Student Prince. The program evokes memories of screen idols Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald and Mario Lanza.

“I love operetta and I don’t get the opportunity to do it,” Corwin said. She’s been concentrating on serious opera, and is in her third and final year as an apprentice with the Montreal Opera Company.

“I’m trying to get into the real world now,” she said with a laugh.

Operettas of the Silver Screen is Feb. 12 at 2:30 p.m. in the Charlie White Theatre at Mary Winspear Centre. Tickets are $26 and available throught the Mary Winspear Box office 656-0275. To learn more about the Palm Court Light Orchestra and other venues for this concert visit www.palmcourtorchestra.com

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