FLORIDA SUNCOAST OPERA GUILD.
Latest News
The College Student/Young Professional OPERA COMPETITION was held at St. Petersburg College Music Center Saturday, March 13 th . Thirty six contestants were heard by the three judges, Anthony Charles of the Met, Karl Hesser of Sarasota , and Dr. Marilyn Michael in a day well-organized by chairman Ursula Carroll. See photos
First prize($4000) was won by Jessica Cambio (26) of Naples Jessica is back in New York , attending Mannes and is studying with soprano Ruth Falcon. She just sang in the George London competition and received an encouragement award. At the end of April she will be in Italy to hopefully compete in the Operalia competition at La Scala - she was chosen as an alternate. If she wins some money, she would love to return to Israel to continue studies at the IVAI program, headed by Joan Dorneman. In the summer, she will be singing her first Violetta in La Traviata at the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Michigan
Second prize ($3000)was won by Betsy Diaz (21) from Miami . Betsy is an Artist-in-Residence at the Palm Beach Opera and is covering the role of Micaela in their current production of Carmen. In the summer she will return to Santa Barbara to participate in the program of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Santa Barbara , CA , which is headed by mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne.
Third prize($2000) was won by Phoenix Gayle (22) from Temple Terrace Phoenix Gayle will have participated in several programs with Mark Sforzini in April and will be covering the role of Frasquita in the St. Pete Opera's production of Carmen in June. She is trying to put together a solo recital to raise funds for her to participate in a study program in Europe this summer.
Ravenna Maer of Miami and Christopher Magiera of Estero were 4 th and 5 th place winners. Brent Douglas and Jack Rain performed a “tour de force” alternating accompanying nearly every performer, often with little preparation time to get acquainted with the individual interpretations. That’s the mark of a master accompanist!
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At our March meeting the membership approved the recommendation by the board to include Hillsborough County students in our High School Vocal Competition.
DUES are DUE . Please send $25 annual membership dues to Membership Chair, Mary Overley 3175 61 st St N St. Petersburg 33710 . She will also receive dues at the April meeting.
The following slate of officers will be installed at the April meeting for 2010 – 2011:
President Marilyn Ward
VP I Competitions Ursula Carroll
VPII Silver Bells Lori van der Linden
VPIII Programs Brent Douglas
VPIV Membership Mary Overley
Recording Secty Shari Watson
Ass’t Rec. Secty Shelia Moore
Corresp. Secty Louise Garrigues
Treasurer Susanna Bellafante
Ass’t Treasurer Elliott Swift
Tributes and Honors
Send donations to Elaine Stupp, 1040 South Sterling Ave., Tampa 33629 stupp1040@aol.com 813-258-4752
Welcome New Member
Roberto Edwards 2134 4 th Ave N St. Petersburg 33713 813-422-8120
Please make the following changes in your yearbook:
Bill and Carol Bunnell Pickering have moved to: 1625 Watermark Circle NE, SPbg 33702
Lori van der Linden ’s new Email address: lori0703@tampabay.rr.com
Brent Douglas ’ Email address is: brentdouglas1971@gmail.com
Of note: Emily Barnash, our 2009 High School Vocal Competition winner and a senior at St.Petersburg Catholic HSwon first place at the Southeastern Regional Competition at NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing)on March 27. She took first place in the HS women’s Classical division, and in Musical Theater. CONGRATULATIONS, Emily. She often appears in St. Petersburg Opera productions and sang at the Emerging Artists Spectacular at the Lithuanian Club the same day as her NATS “coup”.
We are happy to report that Bryce Westervelt, succeeded in meeting the $6500 goal he needed to proceed with his project with Dr. Timothy McReynolds, Vocal Coach at University of Maryland School of Music, on piano of putting together the classical art song cycle Die schone Mullerin on CD. Thanks to many of you who helped him reach that goal in the allotted time.
Thank you to the FSOG members who assisted as hostesses at the Florida Orchestra Guild’s Designers’ Showhouse at the Ovation in March: Roz Beckoff, Susanna Bellafante, Caroline DeVale, Louise Garrigues, Helen Gilbart, Zene Hoult, Susan Luehrs, Nancy Lischer, Adele Mattingly, Patricia Rhamstine, Alice Sisman, Elaine Stupp, Lori van der Linden, and Marilyn Ward.
MAD HATTERS is SPRING , held at the St. Petersburg Country Club was a fun time showing off the talents of some of our members. Yvonne Howell, with Shelia Moore chaired it. Each table was festively adorned with a beautiful spring flower arrangement created by the multi-talented Shelia Moore. Though Yvonne was unable to be there, in her stead she appointed Brent Douglas to be MC. The entertainment category reaped 3 first prizes: Phyllis Emery (accompanied by Shelia Moore), Brent Douglas as a cowboy with a rendition of “ Oklahoma ”, and Nancy Preis as “Brunhilde”. The PRETTIEST hat was worn by Susanna Bellafante. The best VINTAGE hat was worn by Caroline DeVale who had the fez-like hat for over 60 years. The most COMICAL was won by Dolores Smith wearing a hat upon which had landed a blue-footed booby bird. You can see these creations by clicking here. Judges were Eileen Bellino, Louise Garrigues, and Sue Moran.
Thanks to all who participated or helped to make MadHatters fun. Special thanks to Shelia Moore, Brent Douglas, Sue Moran, Eileen Bellino, Louise Garrigues, Karen Liebermann and all participants.
Thank you for a job well done! Yvonne Howell, Chairman of MadHatters
50/25/25 was won by Beth Wardrum and Rosi Bannagott’s guest Ann Scanlon.
The April meeting at the Pasadena Yacht & CC ( 6300 Pasadena Point Blvd S ) will include installation of new officers as well as getting to hear one of our favorite singers, Sara Peeples McNatt . Sara was a principal singer with Sunstate Opera Society and has sung in several roles as an emerging artist with the St. Petersburg Opera Co. She starred in Into the Woods as Rapunzel. She often appears on Mark Sforzini’s programs (Evenings with the Maestro).
Directions to Pasadena Y & CC, 6300 Pasadena Point Blvd. S in Gulfport : from Gulfport Blvd ( 22 nd St. S ) turn South on Pasadena Point Blvd. at the grand entrance near Stetson Law School on the opposite side of the street. At the gate let them know you are coming to the Opera Guild meeting and proceed to the club house.
RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THE EVENT – No reservation, no admittance . Please send your check by Tuesday, April 20 th to
Polly Jones - 128 First St. E #101 , Tierra Verde 33715 Balestrand@aol.com Ph: 866-3103