WORLD-CLASS TALENT COMES TO ROUND TOP IN AUGUST 2008 ALTAMURA/CARUSO COMPETITION ATTRACTS SINGERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD In a gala celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition will attract 19 young finalists from all points on the globe over the course of two star-studded weekends in August. Along with guest artists from the Metropolitan Opera, the young singers will gather at the Altamura Center for Arts and Cultures in Round Top for operatic festivities, ending with the competition. On Saturday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m., the participants and guest artists will present Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow, a light operetta that draws upon comedic and vocal talents. The second weekend the competition begins in earnest. On Saturday, August 23 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon, August 24 at 2 pm, contestants will perform famous dramatic scenes from the world's most beloved operas, adhering to the theme "Jealousy in Opera." At the end of Sunday's program, the grand prize winner and runners-up will be announced at a special presentation ceremony where study grants totaling $25,000 will be awarded. World-class talent comes to Round Top. Former Altamura Competition winner Valerian Ruminski, bass, of the Metropolitan Opera, will perform as a special guest artist. Joining him will be Stefano Koroneos, baritone from La Scala, Gerardo Ramos, tenor, Costa Rica National Opera, and two other past winners, Dongwon Shin, tenor, of Deutsche Oper in Berlin, and Audrey Luna, soprano, of the Pittsburgh Opera. Stage director for The Merry Widow and "Jealousy in Opera" scenes will be Camille Coppola, highly-regarded founder of the New Rochelle (NY) Opera. Anton Coppola (no relation), director of Tampa Opera and renowned composer of opera and film, will conduct and serve as Artistic Director. Maestro Coppola, who is the uncle of famed Academy-Award winning film director Francis Ford Coppola, composed the film scores for the Godfather III and Dracula, among others. From the NFL to opera, and more. Among the 19 finalists chosen earlier this Spring from auditions in New York City, will be baritone Lawrence Harris, a former NFL linebacker from Texas who now has a Paris-based arts manager; baritone Anton Belov from Moscow, Russia, who trained at Juilliard and earned a doctorate in voice from Boston University; and tenor Luigi Boccia, who was raised in a small town in Italy between Naples and Rome, and who earned a master's degree in musicology. There are more, and each one has his own unique, fascinating history that led him to this place at this particular point in time. Each participant brings his or her own experience, special training and cultural distinction. But in the larger scheme of things, musicians speak the same language the world over. Realizing that opera has a special place in the heart of concertgoers, the Altamura Competition installed an interactive innovation this year for those attending both the August 23 and August 24 "Jealousy in Opera" finals: Audience members will be invited to cast their vote for the Audience Award. Take note. Because chartered buses will arrive from the New York City metropolitan area, Catskill area audiences are encouraged to book reservations early to ensure a good seat. Who: 19 young singers from around the world - the crème de la crème amongst peers. Guest artists from the Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper and Pittsburgh Opera. What: The 20th Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition Study Grants When: Saturday, August 16, 7:30 pm, The Merry Widow (light comic opera) Saturday, August 23, 7:30 pm, "Jealousy in Opera" (scenes from Don Giovanni, La Traviata, Norma, Aida and Carmen) Sunday, August 24, 2 pm, "Jealousy in Opera" (scenes from Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci, La Bohème and Tosca) Where: Altamura Center for Arts and Cultures, 404 Winter Clove Road, Round Top, NY. Tel: (518) 622-0070 or (201) 863-8724. Ticket Info: $35 General Admission; $25 Seniors; $15 Students with ID WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US FOR THREE BEAUTIFUL EVENINGS!

It is good to remind oneself of the why, what, and who of a company. Ours, Inter-Cities Performing Arts, Inc., is a New Jersey/New York-based, philanthropic arts company founded for the purpose of improving ethnic, social,professional, and cultural relations. We like to think we serve as a window on the human family.

In our many programs, staffed by world-class artists, we take great pleasure in the accomplishments and growth of young, emerging artists, for whom our programs exist. But our company goes beyond individual performing careers and accomplishments. It is our goal to offer a transformative experience - something that enlarges the person as well as the artist.

We try to listen carefully to what is being asked of us.

In reviewing the company's origins, which began as an urban New Jersey arts school for children of expatriates fleeing totalitarian governments, we learned we didn't have to look very far to offer something of value. Because the arts are positive, life changing and transformative, Inter-Cities offered a window of light to children who otherwise would not have been able to develop their talents. Over 50% of the school's participants were on scholarship.

As our company evolved, we began to challenge some of the rules that prohibited young artists from reaching their goals. For instance, our competition, the Altamura/Enrico Caruso International Voice Competition, abolished age limits. As a result, a 35-year old with four children who left his Christian ministry to participate in (and win) our 1991 competition - a feat that would not have been possible elsewhere with age limits usually set at 31 - is currently one of the Metropolitan Opera's leading baritones. In going against the current, we followed what we knew to be true - that singers with larger voices often develop later than other musicians. The purpose of our competition is to not only award and support excellence, but to create possibilities where none existed.

In 2001 we were able to bring a full orchestra from Romania to New York State -- an orchestra that had dreamed of performing in the United States. Upon returning to their homeland, they were afforded new opportunities -- the Minister of Culture rewarded them with a new concert grand piano and a sizable grant to refurbish their hall. They enjoyed newfound prestige, whereas before, they were under-appreciated and earned only $50 per person per month. At the Altamura Center, Summer Institute participants profited from the experience of performing with a first-class orchestra.

Everyone wins.

In association with this wonderful orchestra and their country, the desperate needs of Romanian orphans was brought to our attention. In February, ICPA Inc. founder, Carmela Altamura, visited an orphanage for handicapped children in Bacau, Romania. Their needs were basic: a sewing machine (and patterns) on which to make clothes and sellable crafts (beautiful embroidery), shoes and socks, a computer on which the children could learn skills, and a blender. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." We would agree.

Our work continues. A young soprano who triumphed over adversity - cancer of the brain - joined our 2003 Summer Institute. A blind musician who triumphed over ignorance, a totalitarian government, hunger, and indifference will be brought to the United States to undergo an operation to regain his sight. A violinist who suffered severe and multiple fractures in both arms in a car accident performed in our 2003 commemorative concert to the 9/11 victims.

I once heard that faith means "Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him." The Word has been a lamp unto our feet.

Following this guidance, we felt compelled to find ways to further help artists here in our own community. We have networked with physicians and other medical professionals to provide gratis consultations to artists who are enrolled in our programs, in need of a medical office visit, and who truly are unable to pay for such services. Our benefit concerts help raise much-needed funds for these services. Over time, we hope to build more programs of this kind into Inter-Cities.

In serving outstanding young artists and the communities from which they come, it is we who have been transformed. Inspired by the teachings of the world's spiritual masters, we have received far more than we could have imagined. Not counting cost or risk but relying on our faith, we go forward to discover and support the finest young talent, provide first-rate programs for both them and the communities in which we live, and make available resources that otherwise would not exist. We know our efforts will return a thousand fold -- they always do.

Until love calls unto us, we are only a possibility.

The possibilities are limitless.