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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ICO “Enchanted Garden Party” raises funds for 2016 Season
Alameda-based opera company parties in Alameda Victorian in support of second season
ALAMEDA, Calif.—May 31, 2015— Opera lovers and supporters of Island City Opera gathered at one of Alameda’s most elegant Victorian homes to celebrate the successful inaugural 2015 season, announce the 2016 season operas, and “trade arias for contributions” to raise funds for the next year. Eileen Meredith, Founder and Executive Director made the 2016 announcement of upcoming operas, RIGOLETTO, by Verdi in January, and LA BOHEME by Puccini in March.
Additionally the Board of Directors displayed a Certificate of Commendation from the City of Alameda, given to ICO for their inaugural first year as our local grand opera company.
The party was held at the stately home of Nancy Gordon, and over 130 attended. Several board and staff came in opera costume, to add whimsy to the event. Entertainment included a concert of arias by opera professionals, Eileen Meredith, Founder and Executive Director, Alex Boyer, Buffy Baggott and Kiril Havezov. James Meredith of the Young Musicians Program, accompanied the singers. The complete program:
SEGUIDILLIA: Bizet’s Carmen
Buffy Baggott
LENSKY’S ARIA: Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin
Alex Boyer
LAKME DUET: Delibes’ Lakme
Eileen Meredith and Ellen St. Thomas
BULGARIAN SONG, ‘Gidi Lyubo’, Georgi Zlatev-Cherkin
Kiril Havezov
O MIO BABBINO CARO: Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi
Ellen St. Thomas
E BEN ALTRO MIO SOGNO: Puccini’s Il Tabarro
Eileen Meredith and Alex Boyer
PIE JESU: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Skye Chandler and Ellen St. Thomas
A’VUCCELLA: Tosti
Kiril Havezov
LIBIAMO: Verdi’s La Traviata
Eileen Meredith and Alex Boyer
Following the concert the amazing singers offered opera and pop favorites up for bid. The tax deductible “bids” helped to make the fundraiser auction a success in exceeding its goal of raising funds for the 2016 Season at the Elks Lodge in Alameda.
Prior Season:
During their inaugural 2015 Season, Island City Opera produced Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Puccini’s Il Tabarro and Rossini’s Il Signor Bruschino. “These three works presented wonderfully talented, emerging artists with a variety of opportunities as instrumentalists, singers, carpenters, costumers, directors and staff. Our company included high school students, college students and recent grads as well as many experienced opera professionals from San Francisco Opera and Opera San Jose. It’s a great learning experience for younger members and an opportunity for emerging artists to master new roles and new music”, said co-founder Ellen St. Thomas.
“We know that this financial step forward comes with a challenge; to raise the funds required to achieve a higher quality of performance in 2016. I’m sure our supportive community of patrons and volunteers will respond enthusiastically,” added Susan Dunn, Director of Development.
About Island City Opera
Island City Opera (ICO) was founded by Eileen Meredith, Ellen St. Thomas, Sigmund Seigel, Susan Dunn and Robert Boyd; Alameda residents, singers and opera enthusiasts who want to make Alameda the home of wonderful performances. ICO is the offspring of Virago Theatre Company, which produced, over a period of 10 years, such classic works as ll Trovatore, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, and,Candide to name a few. For more information, visit www.islandcityopera.org.
Photos from the May 31, 2015 Enchanted Garden Party were taken by Ron Fujie
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