VPO Italian American Program

2021-2022 Season

Italian American Music Concert

CONTENTS Theater Staff.......................................................................................................... 2 Whitney Morse on The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center........................ 3 A Note from the Maestro...................................................................................... 4 Program................................................................................................................ 5 Guest Artists......................................................................................................6-7 Lobby Artists....................................................................................................8-10 Orchestra Roster................................................................................................. 11 VPO Donors 2021-22 Concert Season..........................................................12-13 Coming Soon.................................................................................................14-16

STAFF Director of Operations................................................................... Jason Goedken Artistic Director.............................................................................Whitney Morse Technical Director..................................................................... Kenneth Constant Production Manager..............................................................................Jon Cronin Booking Coordinator & Administrator....................................Elizabeth Constant Executive Administrator.................................................................... Sean Graham Lighting Director..............................................................................David Krupla Assistant Lighting Director.............................................................. Lindsey Young Artist Liaison/Hospitality Management........................................... Leslie Munson Cassandra Francois 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.

2

www.TheSharon.com

WHITNEY MORSE on

The Sharon L. Morse ®

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Dear Patron of the Arts

,

Welcome to The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center!

We are so grateful to re-open our doors after such a trying season. We invite you back to view the national and international performing art tours we host here for your entertainment.

Much like the building’s namesake, my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse, we love all varieties of the performing arts here. It is in her memory that I, along with my amazing team of artists and arts administrators, strive to bring many different types of the highest quality entertainment here to The Sharon.

Since opening in 2015, we hope we have established a relationship of trust; that any show at The Sharon will be a show worth seeing. Perhaps you find yourself here today to see a concert of one of your favorite musicians, or to take in the national tour of a Broadway show. Either way, we encourage you to consider trying out a new show that perhaps you haven’t heard of before, knowing that it has been intentionally curated by our team.

We welcome you to The Sharon: a place for you to see an old favorite, but also a place to discover your new favorite. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show today, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!

Whitney Morse

See You at The Sharon,

Artistic Director

352-751-7799

3

A NOTE FROM THE MAESTRO Dear friend and supporter of The Villages® Philharmonic Orchestra, It was beautiful to see everyone on September 5th at The Sharon® Theatre celebrating the Labor Day Holiday with yet another spectacular concert by The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra. It was a great joy to share in the wonderful heartfelt emotion brought on by this performance. Thank you again for your support in attending.

Since the day I founded this orchestra, it has long been a desire of mine to celebrate the wondrous musical heritage of the Italian-America repertoire.

I am happy to share this musical experience with a cast of extraordinarily talented guest artists. These are: Samatha Barnes Daniel, Sean Christopher Stork and debut performances with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra at The Sharon Theatre by Bryan Eyes and Devin Eatmon.

Our program features a broad range of Italian-America music. From Rossini to timeless Broadway tunes, including an incredible orchestral suite from The Phantom of the Opera.

I hope to once again have the pleasure to see you and share in the wonderful, spirited tradition of Italian-American music.

Thank you for your generous and much appreciated support.

Musically yours, Pasquale Valerio

4

www.TheSharon.com

PROGRAM Overture "Il Re Pastore" (The Shepard King)................... Italian opera by W.A. Mozart "Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians).................. National Anthem of Italy composed by John De Paola “Wandering Minstrel”............................................... from the comic opera The Mikado

by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan “Parla più piano” (Speak softly)............................. song by Nino Rota and Larry Kusik, popularized in The Godfather movie “The Impossible Dream”....................................... from the musical Man of La Mancha

by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion “Memory”...........................................from the musical Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber “Anthem”................................................................ from the musical Chess by Tim Rice Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson “Perfect Symphony”...................... song by Ed Sheeran, popularized by Andrea Boticell “Parlami d’amore Mariu” (Tell Me About Love Mariù)................................ Neapolitan song by Cesare Bixio “Largo al Factotum” (Make way for the ‘expert’— Figaro)..from The Barber of Sevilleby Rossini INTERMISSION “Phantom of the Opera Suite”..................... from the musical The Phantom of the Opera

by Andrew Lloyd Webber “Music of the Night”................................... from the musical The Phantom of the Opera

by Andrew Lloyd Webber “All I Ask of You”........................................ from the musical The Phantom of the Opera

by Andrew Lloyd Webber “Tu che mi hai preso il cuore” (You who took my heart)...from The Land of Smilesopera

by Franz Lehar “I Dreamed A Dream”......................................................................from Les Miserables

by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer “This Is The Moment”....................................................from the musical Jekyll & Hyde

by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse “I Could Have Danced All Night”.................................from the musical My Fair Lady

by Alan J. Lerner and Fredrick Loewe “Torna a Surriento” (Come back to Sorrento)............................................... Neapolitan song by Ernesto De Curtis “O Sole Mio” (O My Sun)........................................................................... Neapolitan song by Giovanni Capurro and Eduardo di Capua “Con te partiro” (Time to Say Goodbye).................................... Italian song written by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto

352-751-7799

5

GUEST ARTISTS SAMANTHA BARNES DANIEL Central Florida native soprano, Samantha Barnes Daniel performs actively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the area. She earned her bachelor's degree in vocal performance from the University of Central Florida and her master's degree in opera and vocal performance from Northwestern University. She is a two-time National semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was a Sarah Tucker Grant Nominee in the Richard Tucker Foundation Competition. Ms. Barnes Daniel has performed with numerous organizations in the state and throughout the country such as Opera Orlando, The Orlando Philharmonic, Opera Tampa, Chautauqua Opera, Arizona Opera, The Illinois Philharmonic, The Villages® Philharmonic, The Voices of Liberty and many others. Recent stage credits include the Mother in Hansel & Gretel, and Catherine of Aragon in Opera Orlando and Helena's award winning Orlando Fringe show, 6 of VIII, for which she also wrote the book. She also maintains a private voice studio in Central Florida and serves on the voice faculty at Rollins College.

DEVIN M. EATMON Devin M. Eatmon is a full lyric operatic tenor from Ocala, FL. His performance history includes working with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, Chelsea Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Aspen Music Festival, most recently Opera Colorado, and soon to be Opera Orlando. With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University; Devin studied under the tutelage of former San Francisco Opera staring baritone, David Okerlund. Some of Devin’s most notable collegiate roles include, George Villiers in the Scholastic Premier of Carlisle Floyd’s Prince of Players, Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's La bohème, Curley in Floyd's Of Mice and Men, and Edgar Aubrey in Heinrich Marschner’s German Romantic opera Der Vampyr. Mr. Eatmon accepted a contract offer to be a member of the Apprentice Singer Program at The Santa Fe Opera in the summer of 2020 however, it was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While at Opera Colorado, he was to cover the role of Don José in their production of Georges Bizet’s, Carmen however, the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, Mr. Eatmon is a member of the new operatic/ pop fusion trio, The Serenad3, with America’s Got Talent finalist, Fernando Varela as well as internationally acclaimed OperaNews baritone, Craig Irvin. The group has already received critical acclaim having collaborated with some legendary artists, such as David Foster, Gloria Estefan, American Idol’s Pia Toscano, and the A Capella sensation, Voctave. Devin is currently living in Orlando, Florida and is looking forward to future endeavors with The Serenad3 as well as Opera Orlando.

6

www.TheSharon.com

GUEST ARTISTS BRYAN HAYES Bryan Hayes is a vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer.

He's a working artist with a background ranging many genres including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and more. In fall 2013 he received bachelor’s degrees from the University of North Florida in the studies of Classical voice and in Jazz Studies, primary instrument being voice.

He has performed and continues to perform in countless concerts, he has performed major roles in numerous operas, oratorios and theatrical productions, and has toured with different groups in many different countries, including but not limited to; the University of North Florida and University of British Columbia Opera ensembles in two separate productions in the Czech Republic, the University of North Florida Chorale 2010 tour of Italy, the St. John’s Cathedral Choir of Jacksonville 2014 tour of Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral, a contract with Carnival Cruise Lines in 2014, and numerous shows with the Orlando Philharmonic and Opera Orlando.

He has performed onstage with such noted artists and ensembles, including but not limited to; The Royal Symphony of England, Reggie Wooten, Coolio, Ben Folds and Andrea Bocelli.

In 2015, Bryan released his first album of original compositions entitled This Is Me. Bryan aspires to continue a career of performance and composition.

He currently resides in Orlando, FL. SEAN CHRISTOPHER STORK Sean Christopher Stork, lyric baritone, has been singing across the state of Florida since graduating from Florida State University in 2007, including regular engagements with Opera Tampa as well as First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, The Florida Lyric Opera in Tampa, and The Villages Philharmonic, Imperial Symphony, and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestras. A strong supporter of modern music, his original works have been recorded on two CDs by the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Mr. Stork is currently performing across the country with Diversita Opera Arts Company, Opera Tampa, The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra; Orlando Philharmonic; The Hudson Valley Chorale; Orlando Harmony; Orlando Exchange; the Dickens Carolers; and the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

352-751-7799

7

LOBBY ARTISTS KATHRYN SLEEPER Kathryn Sleeper’s first bassoon was propped on a block while she played because she was too small to hold down the seat strap. It was the start of a long, rewarding relationship with a beautiful instrument. Reviewers write: “Kathryn Sleeper’s playing is every bit as exciting as the piece, and she manages to overcome the extreme level of difficulty of the work like a superhero.” —Jeffrey Lyman, The Double Reed. “…played with finesse and agreeably dark tone by the gifted Kathryn Sleeper.”—James Roos, Miami Herald ‘ “Bassoonist Kathryn Sleeper particularly shows her moto-perpetuo agility in the witty and litheyet-promethean closer.”—E. Agnew, Record Reviews. Kathryn has premiered over 25 works for bassoon, from solo pieces to concerti with orchestra, and has performed and recorded in the US, China, Argentina, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. She is the recipient of several awards, including an American Cultural Specialist grant from the US Information Agency for performances in Beijing and Shang-hai. Kathryn holds degrees in Music Performance from Southern Methodist University and University of Miami, as well as an AMI diploma in Advanced Montessori Education from Fondazione Centro Internazionale Studi Montessoriani in Bergamo, Italy. Currently based in Central Florida, Kathryn is Bassoonist/Contrabassoonist with the Naples Philharmonic, Substitute Bassoonist/ Contrabassoonist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and has been the Principal bassoonist of the villages Philharmonic Orchestra for 10 seasons.

Kathryn is also a Music Specialist and Elementary Program Founder of Casa Montessori School in DeLand, and caretaker/tamer/home finder for the feral cat colony in her back yard. *Photo Credit: Nathan Hill

LORA MACPHERSON Lora MacPherson has a Master's degree in oboe performance from Northwestern University where she studied with the renowned oboist and teacher Ray Still of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has been the principal oboist of the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra for 11 seasons. She is also the principal oboist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and the Walt Disney Candlelight Orchestra. She has been a substitute oboe with every major orchestra in Florida over the last 25 years, and previously was a fifer in the "Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps" from 2001 -2015 during their tenure at Epcot.

Lora is also a member of the popular chamber music group "Nova Era," which performed at Epcot 1999-2001, and currently performs at Disney Springs (previously known as Downtown Disney-Pleasure Island,) Orlando.

8

www.TheSharon.com

LOBBY ARTISTS JASON GIBBS Jason Gibbs received his degrees in music from the University of South Florida and DePaul University in Chicago. His primary clarinet teachers were John Yeh of the Chicago Symphony and Brian Moorhead of the Florida Orchestra. He has been the principal clarinetist of the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra for 8 seasons and has performed with many other orchestras throughout Florida including: The World Disney Candlelight Orchestra, St. Petersburg Opera, Naples Philharmonic, Orlando Philharmonic, Brevard Symphony, Space Coast Symphony, Ocala Symphony and the Florida Orchestra. Jason is also an active music educator. His band programs have earned many superior ratings and accolades over the span of his 15 years as a teacher. In 2016, Jason was invited to become a Disney Performing Arts Teaching Artist and continues in that role today.

NORA LEE GARCÍA Nora Lee García is the professor of Flute at the University of Central Florida. She is in demand internationally as a soloist, chamber artist, and teacher. Nora Lee is a Powell Flute Artist and has been featured as a guest artist in Carnegie Hall and at flute festivals such as the French Flute Convention, III Convención AFE Sevilla, Festival Internacional de Flauta Monterrey, Peru Flute Festival, as well as numerous National Flute Association conventions and the National Flute Association Summer Series. As an orchestral and chamber musician, Nora Lee has performed under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas, Krystof Penderecki, and Karl Sollak, and with ensembles such as the Casals Festival, the Chautauqua Symphony, and the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra.

She currently holds the position of principal flute with the Bach Festival Orchestra of Winter Park and the Florida Chamber Orchestra.

An active recording artist, Nora Lee most recently recorded various Bach Cantatas for the Bach Festival Society Winter Park Florida and will release her first solo album on the Centaur label in 2021. Most notably, she can be heard on the soundtrack for the Sony Pictures film, The End of the Spear. Nora Lee has served as a judge on the panels of the International Flute Competition in Mexico City and the National Flute Association’s Chamber Music and Young Artist competitions.

She has premiered numerous pieces such as Prelude and Dance by Howard Buss (winner of the 2004 National Flute Association Newly-Published Music Competition) and Gary Schocker’s Under the Sultan at the 2012 Florida Flute Association Convention as a featured artist on the gala concert. An avid researcher 352-751-7799

9

LOBBY ARTISTS of flute pedagogy, Nora Lee has published several articles for Flute Talk Magazine and Flutist Quarterly.

Nora Lee holds degrees from the University of Miami, the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, and the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. Her primary teachers include James Galway, Michel Debost, Bernard Goldberg, Christine Nield-Capote, Carol Wincenc, Bonita Boyd and Peter Kern.

SERGEI KOSSENKO Pianist and composer Sergei Kossenko hails from Moscow, Russia, where he began his professional musical training at age eight. Sergei earned a dual degree in Piano and Composition from Central Music School in Moscow and a Composer's "Red Diploma" with Honors from Moscow Conservatory of Music.

While living in Moscow, Sergei composed incidental music for a Russian national radio network show, and worked as an arranger for various Moscow orchestras. Sergei also toured extensively in Russia and Eastern Europe performing classical works, as well as his own compositions.

In 1993, Sergei was awarded a scholarship to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and moved to the United States. Upon graduating from Dartmouth with a Master's Degree in Electro-Acoustic Music, Sergei utilized his music technology skills in his work for Kennedy Space Center Digital Media Lab and later for EA Sports.

Since 2005 Sergei has concentrated on performing, composing, producing, and teaching in Central Florida. Sergei performs regularly with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, and at Walt Disney World, University Club of Winter Park, as well as in many local live music venues and special events as a jazz/pop musician.

10

www.TheSharon.com

ORCHESTRA ROSTER FLUTE ÑoraLee Garcia, Principal Tanja Agreiter OBOE Lora MacPherson, Principal Chuck McGee CLARINET Jason Gibbs, Principal Dominique Snider BASSOON Kat Sleeper, Principal Gabriel Bergeron Langloise FRENCH HORN Héctor Rodríguez, Principal Chase De Carlo TRUMPET John De Paola, Principal Dan Sopachetti TROMBONE Andrea Rowlison, Principal Alex Ragazzi

352-751-7799

BASS TROMBONE Will Nestler TUBA Fred Boid PIANO Sergei Kossenko TYMPANI Chris Nolin DRUM SET Jeremy Katalenic PERCUSSION Simón Ramos FIRST VIOLIN Stewart Kitts, Concertmaster Michael De Jesús Marius Tabacilia Jose Guedez Imanuel Sandoval David Qi

SECOND VIOLIN Gregory Carreno, Principal Elizabeth Kitts Israel Mendez Ebert Ceballo VIOLA Angelo Goderre, Principal Luis Aguilar Andrea Oliveira CELLO David Calhoun, Principal Roy Garcia Megan Savage DOUBLE BASS Kevin Gallagher, Principal Luis Luna

11

ORCHESTRA ROSTER FLUTE Ñora Lee García, Principal Michelle Territo OBOE Lora MacPherson, Principal

TUBA Fred Boid ALTO SAX Michelle Territto

CLARINET Jason Gibbs, Principal

PIANO/KEYBOARD Krystof Sebrakowski Sergei Kossenko

BASSOON Kat Sleeper, Principal

GUITAR Nik Schoenbek

FRENCH HORN Héctor Rodriguez, Principal Kathy Thomas

BASS GUITAR Kevin Gallagher

TRUMPET John De Paola, Principal Dan Sopachetti TROMBONE Andrea Rowlison, Principal Alex Ragazzi

TYMPANI Jordan Holley DRUM SET Jeremy Katalenic PERCUSSION Simon Ramos

BASS TROMBONE Anthony Hill

FIRST VIOLIN Stewart Kitts, Principal José Guedez Imanuel Sandoval Gualdrón Michael De Jesus Ebert Ceballo SECOND VIOLIN Gregory Carreño, Principal Liz Kitts Israel Mendez Fabiana Escalona VIOLA Angelo Goderre, Principal Juan Carlos Siviero Andrea Oliveira CELLO David Calhoun, Principal Roy García Kenny Aponte DOUBLE BASS Kevin Gallagher, Principal Luis Luna

VPO DONORS 2021-22 CONCERT SEASON ORCHESTRA CIRCLE $10,000+ Anonymous Donor Joe & Marlene Borda Margaret M. Dick Donation in Memory of Carolyn Johnson MAESTRO CIRCLE $5,000 – $9,999 Crysberg Inc. Charlotte & John Gates Geraldine Irwin David & JoAnne Kelch

12

SYMPHONY CIRCLE $2,500 – $4,999 Janice Barone Joanne & Tony Sutylo CONCERTO CIRCLE $1,000 – $2,499 Anonymous Donor John Canner Dennis R. Carney John Collins Roger & Julie Cooper Joseph Devuono William & Judith Doran

Carol Guglielm Donald & Nancy Hickman Phyllis Lachman George & Carol Majestic Win & Christine Stringer Richard & Sharon Williams Joseph Zientara OVERTURE CIRCLE $500 – $999 Avrum Abramowitz Richard Allgaier DuWayne & Bonita Carnes Maurice & Nettie Joy

www.TheSharon.com

VPO DONORS 2021-22 CONCERT SEASON John Nickelson Scott Sander Ken & Mary Shutts Augusto Bernardini SUITE CIRCLE $100 – $499 Donna Austin Tim Barry Augusto Bernardini Frank & Linda Blews Carl & Doris Branson Todd Collins Robert & Charlotte Conway Thomas Davis Joseph DeVuonno Barbara Dipol John & Bonnie Eckstein Linda Ferens Jack & Nancy Fieldman William & Gail Fraser-Giacchi Doris Goodwin Richard & Estella Hoag Dr. Bill Hole Linda Holmes Deborah Hurtt

Richard & Charlene Kinder Alma Macht Nancy Padden Robert A. Phillips John & Beverly Scott Rhoderic Soutar Michael Spinelli Karen & Lowell Stockman Robert & Joan Waller Shannon & Brandon Waters Theresa R. White Sonya Wilt Sunny & Roy Witt Keith Workowski Joseph & Ginger Wray ARIA CIRCLE Up to $499 Barbara Athanasiou Donation in Memory of Bill Barnes Kathryn Bates Jeff & Ursula Bergman Katheen Eikhof Arthur Elwood Susan Escobedo

Paul F. Gaecke Kevin Gallagher Jordan Galvarino Brenda & Bob Gold David Haviland Valery Heyduk K. L. Hoffman Irene Hong-McAtee Lora MacPherson Joanne Michalski Donald Mooty Robert Muzzi Patrice Pastore Geraldine Piscitelli Marianne Reinhard Sally Rowe Erika Schaffer Kathryn Sleeper Joyce Smidt Robert Smidt Jack & Maryann Swisher C & H Van Benthuysen Donald & Nancy Walker Eric Williams

BUSINESS PARTNERS Blackston Financial Advisors

352-751-7799

Fross & Fross Wealth Management

13

COMING SOON

14

www.TheSharon.com

COMING SOON

352-751-7799

15

COMING SOON

16

www.TheSharon.com

KEEP YOUR BRAIN TOP OF MIND.

Whether or not I paid the cable bill.

Exact location of car keys.

Neighbor’s daughter’s name.

G R E Y M AT T E R

Fig. 17

Brain health. It’s the key to maintaining your independence for years to come and shouldn’t be ignored. That’s why Aviv Clinics focuses specifically on improving brain function later in life. From enhanced memory, to increased energy and stamina, our multi-faceted program is designed to improve how you age.

Let’s talk about what matters: 844-399-2848 ~ aviv-clinics.com

Aviv Clinics

Brain Performance

ANNOUNCING SEASON 6

Tiny Revolutions, Big Changes.

BROADBEND, ARKANSAS

THE CAKE

By Bekah Brunstetter

No. 6

URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL

By T.J. Young

Music & lyrics by Mark Hollmann Book & lyrics by Greg Kotis

Act 1 (“Just One Q”) book & lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, with music by Ted Shen Act 2 (“Ruby”) book & lyrics by Harrison David Rivers, with music & additional lyrics by Ted Shen Presented by special arrangement with Stage Rights (www.stagerights.com)

“No. 6” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

URINETOWN was produced on Broadway in September, 2001 by the Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals in association with TheaterDreams, Inc., and Lauren Mitchell “The Cake” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

9/28/21-10/30/21 11/22/21-12/18/21 1/25/22-2/26/22

3/29/22-4/30/22

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS & INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.TheSharonStudio.com |

#TheStudioTheatreTDS

Celebrating the arts

together!

Banking | Mortgage | Wealth

www.MyCitizensFirst.com | (352)753-9515 |

Here To

Serve

All Your Real Estate Needs • Buying A New Home • Selling Your Current Home • Relocating Services • Transitioning to Senior Living • Estate Sales and more...

The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. (“Developer”) is the developer of The Villages.

This is not an offering of property in any jurisdiction where prior registration is required unless Developer has met such requirements. Actual improvements may vary from those shown. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. © 2020 – The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc., All rights reserved.

352-753-2270 TheVillages.com