Carmela and Leonard Altamura

Anne Tormela

Enrico Granafei

Sydney Harris

Renée Guerrero

Maria Knapik

Michel Brousseau

Rob Mitchell

Cristina Altamura

Stefanos Koroneos

Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra

FROM NAPLES TO WARSAW, SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

GOES INTERNATIONAL

Round Top, New York. June 1. For one magical weekend this summer, armchair travelers and music lovers will have to venture no farther than Round Top, New York for a European journey. The Altamura Center's summer festival, "Neapolitan Opera and Song," will celebrate the Chopin anniversary, early Italian opera and popular Neapolitan song.

On Saturday, August 28th at 2 pm, the festivities begin with Pergolesi's famous one-act comic opera from the Neapolitan School, "La Serva Padrona" ("The Servant-turned-Mistress of the House"). The production never fails to charm audiences with its delightful plot of aristocrat versus servant, masculine versus feminine, and the twists and turns of romance. Greek bass-baritone, Stefanos Koroneos, who has appeared numerous times at La Scala, will share the lead role with the American soprano, Anne Tormela. Michel Brousseau, internationally-known Canadian conductor, will make his first appearance at the Center with the Altamura Chamber Ensemble. Returning once again this summer, Camille Coppola will serve as stage director.

For the first time, Center founders, Carmela Altamura, will share duties as stage director, and Leonard Altamura, attorney-cum-actor, will play the role of Vespone, the mime. As a special bonus to the production, Ms. Altamura conceived of and wrote a 15-minute prologue that introduces the main characters as they were 10 years earlier. This provides the context for the "servant", Serpina, who, as a pre-teen, first enters the household of her master. The role will be played by 13-year-old actress and singer, Sydney Harris. American composer, Rob Mitchell, composed the prologue score, keeping within the Baroque style of the original opera. Adhering to Baroque performance practices, well-known pianist Renée Guerrero will perform the continuo. The venerable conductor/composer, Anton Coppola, will lend critical expertise and consultation to the undertaking.

Ms. Altamura, said, " 'La Serva Padrona' is one of the world's most popular operas for a reason. It's irresistibly charming, funny and relevant to our time. We're very fortunate to have such a distinguished conductor and outstanding professionals for the lead roles. They are not only great singers, but great actors, which is something rare."

"The Art of the Prima Donna," the second half of the evening, will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frédéric Chopin, the beloved composer from Warsaw. Polish-born soprano, Maria Knapik, will sing three rarely-performed art songs by Chopin. She will collaborate with conductor Michel Brousseau on piano. Concert pianist, Cristina Altamura, will perform a solo piano work by and in homage to Chopin. Ms. Knapik will conclude the program with a selection of famous arias from well-known operas.

Back by popular demand, the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra will return to the Center on Sunday, August 29. For the program opener, in a nod to Round Top's business mascot, the bear, as well as to the late great Italian tenor, Pavarotti, the Center's own singing Pa"bear"rotti mascot will open the concert with the song, "Ti Voglio Bene Assai." The program, "Celebrated Neapolitan Songs," will include everyone's favorites, O Sole Mio, Come Back to Sorrento, and many others. Audience participation is welcome. Conductor Enrico Granafei will direct the orchestra and guest singers in popular Neapolitan songs from his native Italy.

Carmela Altamura concluded, "This summer we have something for everyone - a world-premiere prologue to a popular opera, singers, conductors, actors and pianists. The concerts will simply knock your socks off. And the mandolin orchestra? What's not to like? Theirs is a kick-back-and-enjoy-your-all-time-favorites kind of program. Our weekend festival is going to be an extravaganza extraordinaire! We have limited seating, so book early."

"And don't forget," she said, "at every concert, we serve a complimentary dessert and the best cup of cappuccino this side of the big pond."

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE AND MORE:

August 28, 2 pm, "La Serva Padrona" and "The Art of the Prima Donna"
August 29, 2 pm, The Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra in "Celebrated Neapolitan Songs"
Altamura Center for the Arts, 404 Winter Clove Road, Round Top, NY
Tickets: Gen $35; Seniors $25; Students with ID $15
Reservations: (518)-622-0070 or (201)-863-8724
Click here for directions