Opera at the arboretum

Patrons will be able to experience opera from Puccini, Verdi, Mozart and Giordano in a tranquil environment when the Rotary Club of Woy Woy presents Opera in the Arboretum at Pearl Beach on Saturday, March 4.

Excerpts from well known works of these composers will be performed by Lucia Naviglio (soprano), Manuel Jiminez-Navarro (tenor), Vanessa West (soprano) and Evgeny Sorkin (violinist).

Lucia's repertoire covers over 20 roles which include Leonora, Santuzza, Margherita, Charlotte, Maddalena and Tosca and has been involved in television and radio shows and has also recorded the operas Infigenia in Tauridei by Nicoloi Piccinni and Gugliemo Ratcliffi by P. Mascagni.

Vanessa has won the Acclaim Award's Maggio Florentino Formazione scholarship and has performed in various concerts in Italy including the Australian Opera Gala Night Concert at the 51st Puccini Festival, Torre del Lago.

Evgeny was the associate concertmaster with Ensemble XXI in 2004 as well as last year and has participated in festivals throughout Europe.

Evgeny has also played with the Hermitage Chamber Orchestra.

The four will be supported by Michaele Archer (soprano), Larisa Oberfeld (pianist), Mirabai Peart (violinist) and Xavier Vilarino (baritone).

Organisers have suggest that those attending the afternoon of opera at the Crommelin Arboretum, Crystal Ave, Pearl Beach, pack a picnic and bring along a rug or chair.

Proceeds will assist the Pearl Beach Bushfire Brigade and Rotary charities.

Press release, January 4 John Greenway, Opera in the Arboretum