Northport Arts Coalition -- Northport Opera Company

Opera Night once again glowed with talent and enthusiasm. Thanks to a group of wonderful singers, the evening was a geat success! A total of 22 pieces were performed, in a rotation of six singers (3 Sopranos, 2 Mezzo's, and 1 Baritone). Thanks to Connie Crespin, proprietor of Caffe Portofino, who provided us with the lovely venue. From the serious songs of Vivaldi (Linda Pytko) and Barber (Frances Valenti), to the scorching torrid tragedies of Lucia di Lammermoor (Connie Shakalas) and Verdi (Ruthann Turekian), and the comedy of Gilbert and Sullivan (Chris Garvey), the evening went smoothly and joyfully. The beautiful conclusion of the evening came with Lauren Haber's performance of "Depuis le Jour"--- "After the Day."

Many returning guests filled our audience seats. Rodee Hansen, Northport resident, was so moved by the evening that she brought two beautiful white "Queen of the Night" flowers as a gift to all the singers. Also known as the "Midnight Flower," it blooms only once a year, and only at night. Two members of the audience took the flower home as a momentum of the evening.

Isabella Eredita Johnson, accompanist

Chris Garvey, Baritone

Linda Pytko, Mezzo Soprano

Lauren Haber, Soprano

Connie Shakalas, Soprano

Ruthann Turekian, Soprano

Frances Valenti, Mezzo Soprano

The Audience

Greg Mally, page turner

The Program

Opera Night, Oct. 6, 2006

Frances Valenti
Stride la Vampa,
Il Trovatore, Verdi

Ruthann Turekian
Vissi d'arte
Tosca, Verdi

Connie Shakalas
The Discontented Duckling/An Early Morning Pastoral
Jesse Gaynor

Lauren Haber
Mi chiamano Mimi
La Boheme, Puccini

Linda Pytko
Qui Sedes ad dexteram
Gloria, Vivaldi

Chris Garvey
When all night long a chap remains
Iolanthe, Gilbert and Sullivan

Frances Valenti
Stride la Vampa (encore)
Il Trovatore, Verdi

Ruthann Turekian
Nun eilt herbei
Merry Wives of Windsor, Otto Nicolai

Connie Shakalis
Spargi d'amaro
Lucia di Lammermoor, Donzetti

Chris Garvey
Tit Willow
The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan

Lauren Haber
In quelle trine morbide
Manon Lescaut, Puccini

Linda Pytko
Habanera
Carmen, Bizet

Ruthann and Frances
Duet
The Flower Duet
Madama Butterfly, Puccini

Ruthann Turekian
Pace Pace mio dio
La Forza del Destino, Verdi

Connie Shakalis
Quando m'en vo
La Boheme, Puccini

Lauren Haber
Io son l'umile ancella
Adriana Lecouvreur, Francesco Cilea

Linda Pytko
Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
Samson et Dalila, Saint Saens

Chris Garvey
I am a Pirate King
Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan

Ruthann Turekian
Un bel di
Madama Butterfly, Puccini

Frances Valenti
Must the Winter come so soon
Barber

Connie Shakalis
Romany Life
The fortune teller (A gypsy song), Victor Herbert

Lauren Haber
Depuis le jour
Louise, Charpentier