A blend of opera and show tunes

WARWICK — In musical theatre, dialogue tells the story with the occasional burst of song while opera productions only use music to tell the story.
In "From LaScala to Broadway," a musical concert where opera top 40 meets musical theatre, these lines are unexpectedly and beautifully blurred. The Orange County Arts Council (OCAC), in collaboration with OCAC board members Dr. Margaret Coughlin, Opera Gala Event chair, and Susan Hermann, event co-chair and performing artist, is proud to present ‘From LaScala to Broadway,’ a performance art fund raiser on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Paramount Theater, 17 South St., Middletown, at 3 p.m.
This unique blend of musical genres includes a combination of familiar operatic arias and Broadway hits to appeal to a vast audience. A select ensemble of three New York City opera singers and two Orange County opera singers will take the stage to present their own renditions of this beautiful music.
Guests can expect solo pieces from each of the singers, as well as a number of duets and quartets. Throughout the afternoon’s performance, the singers will be accompanied by three distinguished Orange County choral groups. The Hudson Opera Theater Chorus will open the show with a popular opera chorus, The Middletown Concert Chorale will open the second half of the show with a medley from Les Miserables and the Warwick Valley Chorale will close the evening’s production with a classic piece from Carousel.
The featured opera singers and accompanist are:
Susan Herrmann, soprano
Shannon Carson, mezzo soprano
Edgar Jaramillo, tenor
Phillip Massengill, tenor
Fredrick Redd, baritone
Michael Pilafian, pianist
Sample opera selections include:
Toreador, the Baritone Aria from Carmen
Song to the Moon, the Soprano Aria from Rusalka
Nessun Dorma* from Turandot, a famous Pavarotti piece and one of the most beautiful arias.
Libiamo Quartet from La Traviata
Sample musical theater selections include:
On the St. Where You Live, from My Fair Lady
All I Ask of You, a beautiful duet from Phantom of the Opera
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, from The Wizard of Oz
Maria from West Side Story
“This is the first time that the Arts Council has organized an event like this and I am especially thankful to board members Dr. Margaret Coughlin and Susan Hermann for putting it all together," said Orange County Arts Council Executive Director Dawn Ansbro. "This performance is also meaningful for us as it gave us the chance to collaborate with these talented choral groups. The music is so inspiring!”
General admission tickets are $50 plus a service fee and should be purchased in advance either online at www.middletownparamount.com or from any Arts Council staff or board member. The ticket price includes intermission refreshments and a catered meet and greet reception after the show with hot and cold appetizers, light entrees, desserts, coffee and soft drinks provided by Loughran’s of Salisbury Mills.
The Orange County Arts Council’s mission is to champion the arts, connect artists with audiences, and foster the growth of the county's creative resources. To learn more about "LaScala to Broadway" and about how to become a member of the Orange County Arts Council, volunteer for a program, or post an event for free, log onto www.ocartscouncil.org.
For additional information, call the Orange County Arts Council at 845-469-9168 or email crounds@ocartscouncil.org.