THE DAILY MAIL

Altamura welcomes 'child prodigy'

ROUND TOP — In the foothills of the Catskills, a star is born.

At the Altamura Center for Arts and Cultures this month, a budding stage performer will enliven a lucky audience with a voice all at once angelic and powerful.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

Altamura welcomes 'child prodigy'

Daily Freeman

Harris eager to tackle Altamura Festival

Nowadays, when someone bids Lawrence "Larry" Harris to break a leg, he embraces it as a good thing. There was a time, though, when such words would make him wince.

As a former offensive linemen for the defunct NFL's Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans), Harris had been plagued by knee and hamstring injuries, so it was time to think about the future.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

Harris eager to tackle Altamura Festival

America Oggi

Two critic reviews of Altamura Center for the Arts performances.

America Oggi

REGISTER-STAR
Altamura/Caruso Competition in Hudson

The Hudson City School District hosted the Altamura Caruso International Voice Competition semi-finals and Gala Concert Finals at the Hudson High Auditorium on May 12.

The concert could have been billed "The Thirteen Sopranos," for among the finalists there were only four baritones, two tenors, and two mezzo-sopranos. All the semi-finalists possessed fine voices, and some were extraordinary.

The concert began with the "Improvise" from Giordano's Andrea Chenier. Tenor Francsesco Valpa looked a bit like Enrico Caruso and, though light-voiced for the aria, sang with wonderful expression. Michele Serrano Mauritz tackled Fiordiligi's perilous "Come Scoglio" from Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.She had the bad vocal habit of not keeping her head straight which crimped her tone as she looked to the floor. Soprano Alison Bolshoi's rich voice reminded one of Helen Traubel. She sang Leonora's aria from Beethoven's "Fidelio" more wonderfully than the artist that recently sang the role in a "Met" broadcast. Audrey Luna was dazzling in Zerbinetta's long coloratura scene from Richard Strauss' opera, Ariadne auf Naxos. A high point of the evening was soprano Son Hyun Hee's glorious singing of "Casta Diva" from Bellini's Norma. Nili Riemer brought brilliant coloratura and fine theatricality to the "Doll Song" from Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. Christine Steyer was right in character as Nedda in her scene from Pagliacci. Takisha Kizart brought memories of Leontvne Price in her aria form Verdi's La Forza del Destino. Soprano Dara Rahming sang "Tacea La Notte" from Verdi's Trovatore with exquisite vocal sound, and she brought off the cabaletta superbly. Baritone José Andrade declaimed his scene from Wagner's Das Rheingold tellingly. Baritone Jason Switzer produced a swallowed vocal tone in the first act.

The program, ended with the "Eroica" Symphony No.3 in E flat Major, Opus 55 of Beethoven (1770-1827). Written in 1803, the symphony was originally to be dedicated to Napoleon, but when Bonaparte had himself crowned Emperor of France, Beethoven struck down the dedication in furious indignation. This historic Beethoven work expanded the scale of the symphony, becoming a point of departure for the great composers of the 19th century and well into the 20th. It was a particular pleasure to hear this work, often treated as a "war horse," performed by the young musicians with an inspired combination of fresh beauty and wonder which only young gifted artists can bring to a great work.

The tones rang out impressively with oboist Pamela Slater's performance.Pianist Michael Fennelly played a delicious medley of Donizetti operas. And Michael Fennelly and David Maiullo were marvelously supportive pianists.

It is wonderful that the 'I' Counties have in their midst the charismatic Altamuras, whose contribution to world opera is significant. Their artistic presence in the Hudson Valley enriches the entire community. The entrance of the "Can Museum" auditorium, located in Brook, offered a stunning display of memorabilia for additional enjoyment of the concert audience.

John Paul Keeter
Register-Star

REGISTER-STAR
The final weekend of the 2001 Altamura Festival of the Arts was so exciting it recalled the beginnings of the Marlboro Festival 50 years ago. While the Beethoven Fifth Symphony was performed with exquisite brio, the outstanding musical event of the weekend was Maestro Karel Chichon's reading of Beethoven's monumental Seventh Symphony. On the strength of his interpretation, one hopes this youthful conductor of genius will become a household name.

The Altamura Festival at Round Top deserved the enthusiastic response of classical music lovers of the twin counties. The entire community and its businesses will undoubtedly benefit greatly from this new international cultural summer festival.

John Paul Keeter
Register-Star

THE GREENVILLE PRESS
Tucked away in the mountains at Round Top, New York, the Altamura Festival of Arts and Cultures is a magical place. At the heart of the magic is the internationally-known soprano, Carmela Altamura, who sees a "dream come true" on Winter Clove Road. Already the festival sparkles with the creativity and talent of vocal and instrumental musicians from around the world.

Dollie Gull
The Greenville Press

THE DAILY MAIL
Philanthropists Leonard and Carmela Altamura, a local couple, have played a starring role in bringing performances of international quality to Greene County. During the Summer Festival, the orchestra and soloists' performance of the hauntingly beautiful Fauré Requiem was an inspiration.

Kathryn Caggianelli
The Daily Mail

THE DAILY MAIL
The scenes from Bellini's opera were ravishingly sung and acted. In their closing duet, mezzo Anna Tonna and the beautiful soprano, Ana Camelia Stefanescu, a Modigliani portrait come to life, merged soaring intensity and caressing 'bel canto' in a perfection that would proudly grace any of the world's great opera houses.

John Paul Keeter
The Daily Mail

TELEGRAM FROM THE POPE
On the occasion of the VI Altamura/Enrico Caruso International Voice Competition, USA, his Excellency, the Pontefice, extends his best wishes. He expresses his appreciation for the noble initiatives the competition has established, and hopes that this event contributes, through the gift of song, to the spiritual growth and solidarity among participants. May the music promote a spirit of brotherhood and peace. His Excellency sends to all competition organizers his apostolic benediction.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano
Secretary of His Sanctity
Telegram, Igio Co Città del Vaticano