Young voices bring great music alive at FYI: Opera

Shawn Roth, tenor, who will perform at FYI: Opera on April 23, is center stage in costume and white wig in the Oberlin production of "Marriage of Figaro." Photo by Yevhen Gulenko

FYI: Opera, on Tuesday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, is an exceptional program provided free to the community by the Westlake Westshore Arts Council. It offers an opportunity to hear great music rendered by gifted singers.                            

Three talented Oberlin Conservatory of Music voice majors will perform musical gems from great composers. Jonathon Field, director of Oberlin Opera Theater, said that Shawn Roth, tenor, Gabriela Linares, mezzo, and Caitlin Aloia, soprano, will be performing some Tchaikovsky, Donizetti, Mozart and a bit of Bernstein. 

Field, who will introduce the program and the singers, said the beautiful "Flower Duet" from the first act of Leo Delibes' opera "Lakme," will also be included. While the opera was written in 1883, the music may sound familiar to many as it is a popular choice for movies, TV ads, cell phone rings, shopping malls, etc.

Roth has performed many roles at Oberlin, including Mr. X in "Angel's Bone" and The Jailer in "Dialogues of the Carmelites." He also portrayed Sam in Oberlin’s 2018 fall production of Leonard Bernstein's "Trouble in Tahiti."

Linares, who has come from Puerto Rico to study at Oberlin, sang Sister Marie in Oberlin’s "Dialogues of the Carmelites" and Dinah in "Trouble in Tahiti."

Pennsylvania native Aloia has appeared in the Oberlin production of "The Turn of the Screw" as the Governess, part of The Trio for "Trouble in Tahiti," and Blanche in "Dialogues of the Carmelites."

When young talented voices embrace great music, the world of opera is enhanced and those who cherish it are gifted beneficiaries. FYI: Opera has been presented to the community by the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council for almost three decades. It is a true reflection of the WWAC mission to provide the community with an enhanced and broadened cultural life that promotes awareness, education and involvement in the arts.

Louise Seeholzer

Publicist for Westlake-Westshore Arts Council

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Volume 11, Issue 8, Posted 9:47 AM, 04.16.2019