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.
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
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.
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
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 |
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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 Larson Memorial Award |
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.”