SAS Performing Arts Company Concert Opera Event Gala
Bernstein - Trouble in Tahiti
and a Century of Puccini
Sunday September 29, 2024 at 3:00pm
Christ and St. Stephen's Church NYC.
Giacomo Puccini ushered Italian opera into the twentieth century. Leonard Bernstein became a prominent figure in twentieth-century music and musical theater.
The first half of our double bill presents 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.
In the second half of the program, we will pay a reverent tribute to the centennial of Puccini's death with excerpts from his famous operas, including La Boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot.
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the works of these two 20th-century giants of classical music and opera.
Participating Artists include Sopranos Kirsten Chambers, Gillian Watson, Monica Camafreita and Melanie Spector Mezzo Soprano Annie Chester Tenor: Eric Sebek and Christopher Trapani Baritone Jonathan Green and Muir Inglis, and Collaborative Pianists Mary Pinto and Nick Stamatakis.
Maestro Stephen Scovasso will conduct the Bernstein work and Jenna Stewart will Co direct.
Trouble in Tahiti is presented by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Sole Agent for Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company LLC, publisher and copyright owner.
SAS Performing Arts Company Saturday July 20 Workshop
SAS Founder and Artistic Director Stephen Scovasso, along with Collaborator Mary Pinto at the Piano and Opera Executive and Voice Teacher Deborah Surdi presented a workshop on July 20 discussing audition technique, presentation and the 5 points to character development.
Here are some feedback:
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in a master class on audition techniques and character development with Stephen Scovasso (their artistic director), Debbie Surdi, and Mary Pinto. It was a small group of six singers and we all received great constructive feedback both on the audition and character development sides. I found the character development side was especially helpful as we really spoke in depth about our characters motivations and circumstances which certainly showed in everyone’s subsequent performances. I hope to have another opportunity to work with these exceptional artists in this sort of forum again. It is very apparent how much everyone involved cares and wants the best for singers.
Monica Camafreita - Soprano
The session including a mock audition followed by a character development workshop was extremely helpful. I received constructive feedback from distinguished people in the industry and new ideas. This has definitely shed light on important details and given me tools I can use moving forward in this art form. I also really admired that we talked about the mindset because this is something that is often not discussed in audition classes, even though it is just as important as working on technique and interpretation.
Perri Sussman - Mezzo Soprano
We are planning another session in September, If you are interested, please RSVP to studios@sasperformingarts.com as soon as you can so we can hold a space for you.
From left to right
Founder and Aristic Director Stephen Scovasso
Participants during the workshop
Mezzo Soprano Perri Sussman
SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios 2024 Vocal Competition
APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED NOW SEPT 20, 2024
All Tickets $10 on Sale Now
SAS Performing Arts Company and Studios 2024 Year in Review
"The opera gala was absolutely superb and the music was sublime. What an incredible event. I look forward to more of these."
"Great concert. The opera singers were so good and the program was wonderful. A wonderful way to spend the afternoon.".
Our Emerald Opera Gala Sunday March 17 3:00pm.
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.”