THREE TENORS + One Viva Amore
presented by Opera Club of The Villages
benefitting
CONTENTS Theater Staff.......................................................................................................... 2 Whitney Morse on The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center........................ 3 About The Opera Club of The Villages.................................................................. 4 Program................................................................................................................ 5 Biographies........................................................................................................6-9
STAFF Director of Operations................................................................... Jason Goedken Artistic Director.............................................................................Whitney Morse Technical Director..................................................................... Kenneth Constant Booking Coordinator & Administrator....................................Elizabeth Constant Executive Administrator.................................................................... Sean Graham Lighting Director..............................................................................David Krupla Assistant Lighting Director.............................................................. Lindsey Young Artist Liaison/Hospitality Management........................................... Leslie Munson Audio/Visual.........................................................................................Luke Bezio Sound/AV Designer.........................................................................Nick Erickson House Manager...................................................................................Heather Ard Director of Ticketing & Customer Relations............................... Yasmeen Stogden Promotion & Marketing...................................... The Villages Sales & Marketing Ad Sales.........................................................................The Villages Media Group
GIFT CARDS
Available
Purchase at any of The Villages® box office locations. ©2021 The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center.
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WHITNEY MORSE on
The Sharon L. Morse ÂŽ
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dear Friend
,
It’s so lovely to have you back in our beautiful space after a long and difficult break. These last few months have been challenging for all of us. That challenge was no exception for us here at The Sharon. The time we spent with our doors closed felt like an endless cycle. We would plan, rearrange, hope, move dates, cancel shows, create virtual content, move venues, and redesign sets. Then after all of that we would repeat all of the aforementioned steps again and again. We did all of that with the goal of bringing us all back together again in mind. Now, finally, here we are together. I know things are different, and they likely will be for a while. But we will persevere. We will work together to find new ways of creating, new ways to move you, and new ways to exist together in a theater. This innovation will require all of us to do our part. So please, while you are here in our theater, I kindly request that you maintain your physical distance of six feet, wear your favorite mask and sanitize your hands often. The performing arts are the most collaborative art form in the world, but the most important collaborator is you, the patron. You come in at the end of our process and provide us with applause, tears, gasps, and laughter. Now we are also asking that you take care of us, the artists, and each other by following the guidelines above. If we all commit to this together we can continue to enjoy live arts in this new way. Thank you so much for being here today and please enjoy the show.
Whitney Morse
See You at The Sharon,
Artistic Director
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ABOUT THE OPERA CLUB OF THE VILLAGES The Opera Club of The Villages was established in 1997 to present live performances to Villagers and establish a music scholarship program to honor the founder of The Villages, Harold Schwartz. Since it’s inception over $550,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to local students in Marion, Lake and Sumter counties who aspire to pursue a career in music. Due to Covid pandemic circumstances, the Harold Schwartz Music Scholarship Program has made some important changes for the 2020/21 season. Marty Taylor, Scholarship Chair, has researched and directed the following: In person auditions, originally planned for April 3, 2021, will now be online. When we receive the students applications, instructions will be sent to make a cell phone video that will be reviewed by the judging panel. The requirement for winners to perform in person and claim their awards in The Villages in late April has been waived. These changes were made to make it easier for eligible students. We are now in the process of communicating this news to Marion, Lake and Sumter County schools and to the students. More information is available on the Opera Club of The Villages website: www.OperaClubofTheVillages.com We are indebted to our members and friends who have generously donated in spite of not having monthly meetings. We appreciate their compassion and dedication to assuring we have sufficient funds to continue awarding Music Scholarships. We are very appreciative that we could present our annual fundraiser at The SharonŽ L. Morse Performing Arts Center this year. The Theme "Viva Amore" was chosen as a Valentine to all in attendance. The familiar songs of Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso will help uplift your spirits. We are especially blessed that our artists, Fernando Varella, Edward Washington, Miguel Salas and Heather Ard will sing their hearts out - happy to be performing, happy to be helping our aspiring musicians, and happy to be here tonight accompanied by the celebrated Maestro, Bill Doherty, and Kathleen Kane, our Mistress of Ceremonies. Thank you, Gerri Piscitelli President Opera Club of The Villages
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PROGRAM PART I “O sole mio” by di Capua............................................. Heather Ard, Miguel Salas, Fernando Varela & Edward Washington “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific by Rogers and Hammerstein II.................................................................Miguel Salas “Che Gelida Manina” from La Boheme by Puccini....................Edward Washington “E Lucevan le Stelle” from Tosca by Puccini.................................... Fernando Varela “Falling in Love with Love” from The Boys from Syracuse by Rogers and Hart...................................................................................Heather Ard “Santa Lucia” by Cottrau......................................................................Miguel Salas “If I Loved You” from Carousel by Rogers and Hammerstein II.....................................................Edward Washington “You Raise Me Up” by Rolf Lovland.............................................. Fernando Varela “Ba-ba-Baciami Piccina” by Morbelli/Astore.........................................Heather Ard “That’s Amore” by Harry Warren................................... Heather Ard, Miguel Salas, Fernando Varela & Edward Washington INTERMISSION PART II “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto by Verdi.............Miguel Salas, Fernando Varela & Edward Washington “Be My Love” by Brodsky.............................................................. Fernando Varela “Ave Maria” by Schubert...........................................................Edward Washington “All the Things You Are” by Kern.........................................................Miguel Salas “So In Love” from Kiss Me Kate by Porter.............................................Heather Ard “Time to Say Goodbye” by Sartori................................................. Fernando Varela “Because” by d’Hardelot...........................................................Edward Washington “Night and Day” by Porter...................................................................Miguel Salas “I Will Always Love You” by Parton.....................................................Heather Ard “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot by Puccini................... Heather Ard, Miguel Salas, Fernando Varela & Edward Washington 352-751-7799
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BIOGRAPHIES FERNANDO VARELA The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination has defied the odds. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music it was not until he was seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. Fernando trained with some of opera’s renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy AwardWinning producer David Foster. Varela can also be seen featured on David Foster’s recently released all-new PBS Special. He has also performed amongst some legendary superstars including Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman, Babyface, Gladys Knight, Peter Cetera, Neil Diamond, Benny Andersson, Seal, Jewel, The Beach Boys, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban, and Chaka Kahn. This year saw Fernando as a special guest performer at The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honoring Gloria and Emilio Estefan, as well as celebrating Julio Iglesias on The Grammy Salute to Legends. Varela is signed with Universal Music Group and released his debut album Vivere, March 2017, accompanied by his debut PBS Special, Coming Home. Fernando is currently in the studio with producer Emilio Estefan working on his follow-up album. Fernando Varela sets the standard for what true musicianship is all about, combining a unique voice and an engaging passion which lights up the stage.
MIGUEL SALAS Miguel Salas, a Venezuelan baritone born in Caracas, began his musical studies at the age of nine at "Maria Teresa Castillo" Cultural Center. While there, he placed first in the II Children's Voice Festival of Chacao (Caracas - Venezuela) and later became a member of the "Children's Show Choir of Sucre" for two years where he performed in several televised events. Miguel then moved to the city of Maracay where he joined the music school "Federico Villena" studying music theory, musical dictation, harmony, academic piano, classical guitar, music aesthetics, music history, counterpoint and classical singing with teachers Hermes Gomez and Lola Linares. While there, he performed as a soloist in various productions in the Maracay Opera House. In 2006, he received a scholarship from the Government of Aragua state to study Italian and Opera in Florence, Italy. Following his studies, he worked with the National System of Youth Orchestras as a choir director and vocal coach. He performed with Simon Bolivar Symphony Chorus for two years with which he 6
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BIOGRAPHIES participated in the America Cantata Festival in 2013 and the 2014 Salzburg Festival as well as numerous concerts in Caracas. In 2009 and 2012, he was invited by the Organization of American States (OAS) to work with youth at risk in the Caribbean islands as choir director and vocal coach. Miguel has performed professionally as a baritone soloist in numerous operas and musicals throughout the world. He has also worked as a pianist and arranger and continues to perform locally with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, Mad Cow Theater, and The Local Vocals ensemble.
EDWARD WASHINGTON II American tenor Edward Washington II was born in England raised in Saudi Arabia and lives in NewYork City. He was selected for intensive vocal study Mollie Rich, Craig Maddox, Kenneth Kamal Scott and Marquita Lister. He is a former artist with Orlando Opera, Central Florida Lyric Opera, Opera Orlando, International Festival of the Voice, New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Washington’s roles include "Edwin" in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, "Ralph" in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, "Robbins" in George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, "Parpigol" in Puccini’s La Boheme, "Gherardo" in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, "Spoletta" in Puccini’s Tosca, "Pang" and "Pong" in Puccini’s Turandot, "Tamino" in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and "Mr. Scratch" in Moore’s The Devil and Daniel Webster among others. He has premiered a number of new songs by American composers/arrangers. Edward has been a featured artist with the United States Air Force Band, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Morgan State University Choir, and the American Spiritual Ensemble. He was a featured soloist while on tour in Argentina, and was a featured vocalist twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Edward Washington II was formerly the Music and Education director of the "Negro Spiritual" Scholarship Foundation based in Orlando, Florida and directed their ensemble "Master Singers." He still is a proud ambassador for the foundation. He is excited to perform once again for the Opera Club of The Villages.
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BIOGRAPHIES HEATHER ARD Heather Ard is honored to perform in Three Tenors Plus One with Maestro Bill Doherty in support of the Harold Swartz Music Scholarship. Through the support of many mentors Heather has had a successful career as a performer and is happy to nurture that desire in other musicians. Heather has performed in professional productions throughout the country, some of her favorite rolls include Maria: The Sound of Music, Belle: Beauty and the Beast, The Narrator: Joseph... and Julie in Showboat. Throughout her career in entertainment Heather has worn many hats: singer, performer, stage manager, choreographer, and director. Around The Villages Heather can be seen singing at St. Timothy Catholic Church and various other venues in the area. Her involvement with The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center began as the Properties Manager for the opening team and she has been a part of the family ever since. Heather is currently the House Manager for the Sharon as well as the Events Coordinator. Heather’s title has changed throughout her career however her goal remains the same: “To utilize my passion for entertainment to bring joy to others.” Enjoy the show!
BILL DOHERTY Bill Doherty, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard, Maestro Bill has conducted and accompanied extensively in opera for over 20 years. He served as accompanist to MET Divas, Deborah Voigt, Molly Fillmore and Susan Neves. He is the founder and General Director of Central Florida Lyric Opera, and the Director of Music at St. Timothy’s Church. In 2014, Maestro Doherty conducted members of CFLO and the St. Timothy choir in the world premiere of his Misa di Requiem at St. Ignazio Basilica in Rome, Italy, and at the Vatican. During the pandemic, Maestro Bill has produced monthly free live streaming performances, Talent Explosion featuring members of his Central Florida Lyric Opera company and celebrated artists. Presently collaborating with local artists, Bill will accompany soprano, Heather Ard, in a cabaret show, Still Singing, at The Sharon and Raise the Curtain, his New Year’s show at the Savannah Center. Maestro Bill is the producer, and accompanist for Three Tenors Plus One, the Music Scholarship fundraiser for The Opera Club of The Villages.
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BIOGRAPHIES KATHLEEN KANE Kathleen Kane's life is forever in motion, so besides her entertaining "On Stage," you can also hear her on AM640, FM102.7, and FM104.5 in The Villages. She enjoys being Station Manager and a part of the morning shows on air. Kathleen has had the honor and pleasure of interviewing many of the celebrities and guests who have performed at The SharonŽ L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Savannah Center, and other performance venues as well as interviewing Maestro Bill Doherty, Fernando Varela, and Heather Beirne from time to time. Kathleen has emceed operas and loves the music! She most recently has begun to voice books on tape and many instructional and educational videos. At home, Kathleen spends her time working and having fun with her 3 rescue horses, 3 rescue dogs, and her lifelong pal‌"Mr. Oliver Twist", her scarlet macaw.
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