SAS Performing Arts Company and StudioS, Inc. wishes all our friends a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
2024 Vocal Award Receipients
 Luke Norvell - Tenor First Place Sponsored by Charles and Edith Upton |  Cumhur Görgün - Bass 2nd Place Sponsored by The Patrons of SAS Performing Arts Company, Inc. |  Sadie Cheslak Third Place - The Luana DeVol Award for Dramatic Voices |
|---|---|---|
 Olivia Manna Mezzo Soprano The Frank Surdi Memorial Award for Cross Over Artistry |  Jason Duika - Baritone The Alfred Jannicelli Memorial Award |  Alysha Nesbitt - Soprano The Adele T. Rossano Memorial Award |
 Sean Seung Cha - Baritone The Jeanette Rieth Larsen Memorial Award |
SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios 2024 Year in Review
Our Emerald Opera Gala Sunday
March 17, 2024
"Great concert. The opera singers were so good and the program was wonderful. A wonderful way to spend the afternoon.".
"The opera gala was absolutely superb and the music was sublime. What an incredible event. I look forward to more of these."
SAS Perfroming Arts Concert Opera Wagner Gala on June 2, 2024 Honoring American Dramatic Soprano Luana DeVol.
Our program include selections from Tannhauser, Das Rheingold, Parsifal, and Die Walkure, featuring the complete first act of this masterwork. A portion of the proceeds were donated to the SAS Performing Arts Company Luana DeVol scholarship for the Dramatic Voice.
From left to right Bass Virdell Williams, Mezzo Soprano Lara Tillotson, Soprano's Gillian Watson, Monica Camafreita, Collaborative Pianist Eric Malson, Founder and Artistic Director Stephen Scovasso, Bass Alex Adams-Leytes, Soprano Kirsten Chambers, Tenor: Jon Janacek and seated is Dramatic Soprano Luana DeVol.
"The pianist was amazing with the singers one better than others, I hope they will have more performances like that, really appreciated by me and my friends."
"For a person who does not want to sit through hours of full length Wagner operas, this Gala provided attendees with a group of exerpts from Wagner's various operas performed by gifted singers.”
Bernstein - Trouble in Tahiti and a Century of Puccini
Sunday September 29, 2024
Christ and St. Stephen's Church NYC.
SAS Performing Arts Concert Opera presented a double bill of Leonard Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti paired with a remembrance of the centennial of the death of Giacomo Puccini.
The first half of our double bill presented a unique opportunity to explore Bernstein's 'Americanness' through his 1952 opera Trouble in Tahiti. This opera, a portrayal of a dysfunctional married couple, Dinah and Sam, in the 1950s, a reflection of Bernstein's own parents, takes us through a day in their life. Sam's obsession with money and superiority and Dinah's struggles as a wife and mother are beautifully depicted in the score, infused with Jazz, a testament to Bernstein's musical genius.
The second half of the program, we payed a reverent tribute to the centennial of Puccini's death with excerpts from all his famous operas Manon Lescaut, La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, La Fanciulla del West, La Rondine, and Turandot.
The exciting cast gave an incredible performance and the near capacity audience were very appreciative.
Participating Artists: Sopranos Rebecca Kidnie, Kirsten Chambers, Gillian Watson, Monica Camafreita and Melanie Spector Mezzo Soprano Annie Chester Tenors: Eric Sebek and Christopher Trapani Baritones Jonathan Green and Muir Inglis, and Collaborative Pianists Mary Pinto and Nick Stamatakis.
Maestro Stephen Scovasso conducted the Bernstein work and Jenna Stewart co-directed the Bernstein work with Stephen Scovasso.
Trouble in Tahiti is presented by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Sole Agent for Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company LLC, publisher and copyright owner.
The Reviews are in..
"Wonderful!”
L. M.
"Puccini for a solid hour! What a treat! Really really enjoyed it. Singers were superb.”
Harry T C., NYC
"Both "Trouble in Tahiti" and the Puccini arias and duets from his various operas were well sung. Everyone was in good voice.”
Dennis Rager, Bronx
"The Gala was wonderful. All the opera singers were so talented and sang beautifully. The program was exciting. Can’t think of a more enjoyable way to spend an afternoon”
S. R., New York, New York. USA
"This concert was fantastic! From beginning to end- the singing talent was incredible! I was really impressed. Thank-you!!”
Joanne Green
"This program included 2 parts. In the second part, which was also my favorite, opera singers performed Puccini compositions from about 8 different operas. Thoroughly enjoyable! The voices were exquisite! The first part of the program included some of the same singers performing Leonard Bernstein’s “Trouble in Tahiti.” For this opera, the singers also acted out the scenes which made it very comparable to seeing the actual opera.”
J. G., N
"Loved it. All of it.”
Barbara Ellin, NYC