TriValley Life
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE VALLEY IN MUSIC, THEATER, ART, MOVIES AND MORE
Mrs. Firpo’s
garden Artists create whimsical wall for kindergarten at Alisal By Dolores Fox Ciardelli | Photo by Melinda Firpo Spring has come early outside the kindergarten at Alisal Elementary School as the wall blossoms with good-natured wildlife and happy-faced flowers. The whimsical addition to the class garden was created by two artists, Patti Balch and Laurie Nowak, who is the grandmother of kindergartner Thoren Bostrom. Nowak is a docent at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, said kindergarten teacher Melinda Firpo, where she volunteers her time to help the campers and to work in its garden. “She also takes care of her grandson and picks him up from school, and she saw I had a garden and wanted to help the kids with it,” Firpo said. “She spent endless hours
helping us plant seeds and building cages to keep the birds out.” “After we got the garden done, she had the idea of doing something with this ugly peach-colored wall,” Firpo added. “I said I’d always wanted to do a mural back here.” Both Firpo and Nowak were captivated by the book “Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden,” written by Edith Pattou and illustrated by Tricia Tusa. “The author wrote the story in honor of her daughter’s kindergarten teacher, who gets a packet of ‘seeds’ from her principal every September, plants them, nurtures and tends to them, and watches them bloom and grow,” Firpo explained. “It’s a delightful story with whimsical illustrations.”
Artist Patti Balch contributes her time and talents to paint colorful characters.
Inspired, Nowak enlisted the help of friend Balch, solicited contributions of paint and supplies from Kelly-Moore Paints, and went to work. “They painted from 8 in the morning until 5 at night,” Firpo recalled. “I went and got them lunches and Starbucks. They did it all out of the good of their hearts.” The children love the new gar-
den artwork, especially the fanciful frog, Firpo said. As a matter of fact, everyone on campus is enjoying it. “The whole staff sees it as they walk into the staff room,” Firpo said, “and they’ve said they can’t help but be happy. It’s such an adorable part of our school now – the beauty of the garden and the whimsicalness of it.” Nowak continues to use her gar-
dening talents at Alisal. “Every once in a while, I will open the door and she’s out there making sure the garden is beautiful,” Firpo said. Firpo is impressed that these two artists donated their talents to give back to the school. She said it teaches an important lesson: “You can always make an impact in the schools, even if you’re a grandparent.” N
Rossini’s ‘Cinderella’ opens March 15 Tri-Valley opera presents classic romantic comedy The Livermore Valley Opera is presenting Gioachino Rossini’s take on a timeless fairy tale, “Cinderella,” a romantic comedy to be enjoyed by families and people of all ages, opening at 8 p.m. March 15 at the Bankhead Theater. This well-known fairy tale appears in many cultures, with between 350 and 1,500 different versions, according to an LVO press release. The earliest may have originated in Egypt and China, yet the most familiar Cinderella tale is the one published by Charles Perrault in “Histiores ou contes du temps passé” in 1697. This version is the one immortalized by Walt Disney, with the fairy godmother, pumpkin carriage and the glass slipper. Rossini’s “Cinderella,” which is actually titled “La Cenerentola,” is also based on Perrault’s rendition. But because Rossini’s librettist, Jacopo Ferretti, realized that a fairy tale would be risky for an opera audience, he made several changes, taking out the fairy godmother and the wicked stepmother, and instead creating a wicked stepfather. Rossini completed this opera in just three weeks, and it is consid-
ered to have some of his finest writing for solo voice and ensembles, something that mezzo soprano Shirin Eskandani knows very well. “The role of Angelina, aka Cinderella, is a role I’ve always wanted to sing,” said Eskandani. “It is unusual for Rossini to write music for a mezzo. I’m excited to have the opportunity to perform his beautiful music.” She has performed in the opera before, but in the role of the evil stepsister. “This time I have a principal role but also get to be a princess for a night and wear a beautiful gown. What girl has not dreamed of that?” she said. LVO’s artistic and music director Alexander Katsman has his own reasons for being excited about sharing Cinderella with the community. “I love Rossini, and Cinderella is one of my favorite operas,” he said. “It is comedic, really funny at times, and I think that is why it will appeal to so many people, including families.” Joining Eskandani on stage is Pleasanton native, tenor Marco Stefani, as Prince Ramiro; bass-
LIVERMORE VALLEY OPERA
Shirin Eskandani portrays Angelina, aka Cinderella.
LIVERMORE VALLEY OPERA
Marco Stefani, a Pleasanton native, plays Prince Ramiro.
baritone Bojan Knezevic as Don Magnifico, the stepfather; and soprano Emma McNairy as Clorinda, the oldest stepdaughter. “Stage director Bruce Donnell, a two-time Emmy Award winner with
over 20 years as a director with the New York Metropolitan Opera, has very specific ideas for the production,” said Katsman. “Working with our cast of talented artists, this excellent director will give the audience a memorable experience.” Special events for the opera week include an Opening Night Gala at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard for $85; Ice Cream & Opera Sunday matinees; and pre-opera talks held one hour prior to curtain. N
Fairy tale with a Twist What: Rossini’s “Cinderella” Who: Livermore Valley Opera When: March 15-23 Where: Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore Tickets: Adults $39-$74; students 18 and younger $10 off; call 373-6800 or go to www.livermoreperformingarts.com
Pleasanton WeeklyÊUÊMarch 7, 2014ÊU Page 15