 |
 |
 |
From Opera News
"On The Beat"
December 2007, vol 72, no. 6
|
|
Meade and Armen shine in
Giulio Gari Foundation's annual party
by BRIAN KELLOW
|
THE GIULIO GARI
FOUNDATION is one of several
New York-based organizations that have cropped up in
recent years with the mission of fostering the careers of young opera
singers. The format is similar to that of the LICIA ALBANESE -“PUCCINI
FOUNDATION: established artists are honored while grants are handed out
to promising young talent. On November 7, the Gari Foundation, named
for the noted Met tenor, celebrated its fourth anniversary with a gala
at the New York Athletic Club. This year's discoveries included
first-prize winner EDGAR RAMIREZ, a highly polished lyric tenor (his
only handicap seemed a slightly too-slender tone on "Che gelida
manina"), baritone SEBASTIAN CATANA, who offered a visceral reading of
"Di provenza il mar," soprano JEANETTE VECCHIONE, who effectively
limned Hoffmann's doll song, the gifted LEAH WOOL,
completely captivating with Cendrillon's "Enfin je suis ici," and the evening's
knockout - soprano ANGELA MEADE,
whose "Casta Diva" was nothing less than a revelation. (It's been a
while since I've heard anyone negotiate the high voice the way Meade
does.) Career achievement awards went to MARCELLO GIORDANI, REGINA
RESNIK, VINCENT LA SELVA and pop legend KAY ARMEN,
who earned a standing ovation with her mesmerizing performances of
"Time After Time" and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," among
others (She was superbly accompanied by PHILIP MEALEY.) GIORDANI,
accompanied by his lovely wife, WILMA, was in a jubilant mood, having
two nights earlier sung Edgardo in the Met's new Lucia and the following night stepped in, on
short notice, to replace JOSEPH KAISER in the company's Roméo et Juliette.
The hosts were foundation chairman GLORIA GARI, STEPHEN DEMAIO and
ELAINE MALBIN.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
