[FAC] Cal Opera Update for the FAC-List Digest

[Diane Nixon]

California Opera Association would like to extend its highest and most heartfelt appreciation to the Fresno Arts Council, City of Fresno, Fresno Opera League, schools and community members who attended last weekend’s production of “Hansel and Gretel” at Tower Theatre.  The opera was pleased to have served the large groups of school children from Raisin City, Oakhurst, Clovis, Kerman, Raymond, Madera and Fresno.  The performances were also attended by the Valley Teen Ranch Boys, the Craycroft Center, children and families from the Boys and Girls Club, the Marjaree Mason Center and Ronald McDonald House. Several high school students turned out to earn volunteer credits for their school, completing an outstanding job in helping to manage the front hall and refreshments.  

Anne Cartwright, the resident choreographer worked tirelessly on gorgeous costumes and in training the youth for the dance scenes, and Steve and Jeremy Wall embellished another year of great lighting and effects. Make-Up by Juan Salcedo of Reflections was outstanding.  Edna Garabedian, as expected, did a fantastic job in placing voices and children in a way to most highlight their greatest gifts and talents, and in creating an artistic atmosphere of cooperation, respect, discipline, and achievement. Jon Khor and the Martzen Family captivated the children’s attention with charming narration. Boris Nixon, Leonard Ingrande, and Jill Prince provided for a smooth musical arrangement. 

Mezzo-Soprano Kathryn Miller from San Francisco stepped into the role of Hansel as a convincing youth, Jennifer Myers created an entertaining performance as Gretel and Ayelet Cohen’s voice soared as her first time in the role of Gretel on Tuesday’s matinees.  Lemoore Tenor Zachary Sheely is now ready to start his journey into the world’s top professional opera houses as the Witch, with plans to now audition with LA Opera and the Met for the sought after role.  

Barry Falke, Executive Director of Storyland and all of the folks at the City of Fresno Department of Parks and Recreation sustaining the after-school fine arts programming were so excited about the turnout to the program and to the Rotary Storyland Park appearance of cast and children on St. Patrick’s Day. We also wanted to share a few comments that are just now coming in about the performances: 

….Thank you so very much for the lovely Hansel & Gretel performance.  It was wonderful and we enjoyed it so much.  Everyone did such a good job performing, especially the witch, Zachary Sheely.  Wow what a voice range!  He was great.  Thanks for providing such a wonderful program….

…  Hansel and Gretel was just great, and the kids sat spellbound.  Hansel and Gretel were so cute, and the witch [Zachary Sheely] was a real coup.  The ballerina [Amanda Edwards] must have inspired all the girls - she was a gem.  … You are doing more for opera in Fresno … fostering love for it while the kids are little and impressionable.  They will always bring that love with them...        

…It was absolutely darling and the greatest of rewards to see the little faces leaving the hall with such big smiles.  One 1st grade child blurted, “That was SO good” and I replied “Really?” and the group of kids around her shouted “Oh YES!”  And it was precious to see the several youngsters that stayed after the performances to meet the cast and learn how to get participate on the next events...

We again express our greatest appreciation to the volunteers, led by Opera Guild President Anita Edelman, who helped to bring such a delightful experience to the participating and attending children and families, and to organizations such as the FAC-List Digest, Fresno Bee, FCASH, Fresno Famous, Valley 411, KVPR, ABC Channel 30, KMPH Channel 26, and CBS 47 TV among others for sharing these great works through outstanding news coverage over the past weeks.  We look forward to our ongoing works together in the community, and to sustaining these programs into the future.   

California Opera Association’s upcoming summer events in planning highlight fifty instrumental and choral children from Korea to open the Summer Festival, beginning July 28th!  The children, as their first time in America, will arrive with traditional Korean instruments and dress and will be hosted by local families during their two week stay, touring in the valley summer schools and appearing in a special presentation to open the 2007 Summer California Opera Arts & Education Festival!  The performances will be followed by the west coast premiere of New York composer Paul Stuart’s  “Kill Bear Comes Home” a children’s opera based on Iroquois legends, La fanciulla del West (Puccini) and several full weeks of additional opera presentations, workshops, and the annual vocal competition representing talent from around the world. 

The California Opera Association has enjoyed seven years of opera in Fresno, serving the youth and under-privileged, training young artists, proving for global and community collaborations, and bringing forth new works, because of the support of the community in bringing great ideas to life.  Financial contributions to sustain these programs and to the competition scholarship fund and/or for the 2007 Summer Opera Arts & Education Festival may be sent to COA * PO Box 9741 * Fresno, CA * 93794.  Additional questions and details about the programs are welcome at (559)  225-6737 or visit www.calopera.org. 

Appreciatively, 
Diane Nixon 
Director of Education 

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