Bella Notte 2022

Bella Notte

2022

ella Nott

special event

Luxurious Designs by

Master of Ceremonies

John Lupton

M° James Meena

Sumptuous Cuisine by

Allie Fulgum

Best Impressions

, soprano

(Opera Academy Member)

Music by

Aris Quoirga

, guitarist

and members of the Opera Carolina Orchestra

Peter DeVries, David Strassberg, Piotr Swic, Grace Anderson,

Bella Notte

An Opera Carolina

violin violin

viola cello

Opera Carolina Three Tenors

Michael Owens John Kim Johnnie Felder Lydia Kang,

pianist

Bella Notte 2022 Friday, October 21 hosted by

Charlotte & John Wickham Co-chairs

Liz & Lane Faison and Liz & David Shuford Honorary Chairs

Mary & Charles Bowman 1

LIVE AUCTION AND PADDLE RAISE WITH

Dan Lyles Join the cast of La traviata April 20, 22 & 23, 2023 Two couples per performance (12 people total) will be costumed and put on stage in the opening party scene of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi.

The winners must attend one rehearsal before opening night on April 20th, and meet with Opera Carolina’s costume coordinator (Opera will accommodate busy schedules).

Following Act I, a member of the Opera team will escort you to your seats to enjoy the rest of this famous opera.

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NEW MEXICO

ITALY

NEW YORK

LIVE AUCTION AND PADDLE RAISE WITH

Dan Lyles Travel with Opera Carolina (Buy this trip and you decide when to go)

Enchanting Santa Fe’

Bite the Big Apple

The Magic of Milan

An exclusive, small group guided special tour at the Santa Fé Opera. (www.santafeopera.org).

Package includes 2 premium tickets for the performance of your choice (predicated on availability of night and ticketing selection), plus pre-dinner and 2 nights at the luxurious Eldorado Hotel.

Opera shines in NYC starting with a private small group special tour at the Metropolitan Opera (backstage or costumes according to the current policy of the Theater), followed by 2 tickets for one Opera performance (www.metopera.org). Drinks at the Links Club, dinner with a special Opera VIP Guest, and 2 nights at the Thompson Central Park Hotel will complete this amazing package.

“Stupendo” special guided tour of Teatro alla Scala. (www.teatroallascala.org). Package includes 2 premium tickets for the performance of your choice (predicated on availability of night and ticketing selection), an exclusive dinner with International Opera Diva Barbara Frittoli, plus 2 nights at the ultra-chic Bvlgari Hotel.

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SUPPORT OPERA CAROLINA

Cause to Give Investing in Education, Mentorship, Career Advancement This season, your Charitable Gift can be directed to support Scholarships to the Youth Academy and Sponsorships for members of the prestigious Resident Company.

About the Youth Academy

About the Resident Company

Opera Carolina’s instructional arm. The Youth Academy offers regional 3rd-12th graders foundational and immersive training that hones voices and cultivates essential life and learning skills, with equitable access at the core of our mission. Through the Academy Chorus’ weeky rehearsals and the annual Summer Workshop for teens, our students learn singing skills and find their own voice, explore foreign languages and diverse cultures, learn diligence and dedication, and make new friends and lasting bonds.

As Greater Charlotte has grown, it has become a magnet for opera artists moving to our community, and a vibrant city where recent college graduates want to live, work and hone their skills as professionals. Young American opera artists are often told they can only build their careers in New York City or the major capitals of Europe, even if they are not ready for the demanding world of professional opera. Opera Carolina is committed to changing this paradigm in our Queen City by directing the artistic and financial resources of the company to the development of Charlotte’s creative community by investing in our region’s opera artists.

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SUPPORT OPERA CAROLINA

Giving Levels The Verdi Society

Piccolo Verdi

Caci Jaeger and Aundrea Wilson, Co-Chairs

Kati Small, Chair

Verdi Society members receive all the benefits of Encore! Society members, and invitations to Bella Notte, The Salon, Piccolo Verdi events, Champagne Toasts, Lunch with the Stars and the Spring Season Celebration.

For Verdi Society families with young children who want to enjoy a special experience at the Opera, including exclusive family-friendly small group gatherings to introduce the opera via on-stage tours, and dress rehearsals of each Grand Opera production.

The Verdi Society

The Encore! Society

$10,000 Diamond Circle $5,000 Gold Circle $2,500 Silver Circle

$1,000 Piccolo Verdi and Benefactor $500 Patrons $100 Scholarships to the Youth Academy

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THANK YOU TO OUR

Host Committee Mary Margaret and Josh Beaver Sarah Edwards Bharti and Gaurav Bharti Kelly and Brian Chambers Keri and Nick Clavin Beth and Michael Clifton Angela and Jesse Cureton Gigi and Malcolm Dixon Pontea and Jonathan Dixon Mary Tabor and Rob Engel Kitty Hall Heather and Roman Harper Michlene and Stephen Healy

Liz Hilliard and Lee Kennelly Caci and Max Jaeger Charlotte Harris Lucas Amy and Matt Moore Laura Vinroot and Perry Poole Mary Margaret and Fritz Porter Virginia Secor Shaw Anne Carter and Dean Smith Nazy and Durham Weeks Allison and Al Welch Charlotte and John Wickham Aundrea and Stephen Wilson

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THANK YOU TO OUR

Corporate Sponsors

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A TRIBUTE TO

By Cathy Bessant

Charles Bowman

Charles Bowman is my hero, my colleague and my friend. He is known for turning the ordinary or routine into the extraordinary and unique. A well-known visionary, leader and pioneer, Charles is a wonderful motivator of teams. Countless stories at Bank of America and in Charlotte testify to his optimism and humble spirit. Anyone who knows him will tell you his laugh is infectious. He doesn’t shy away from the tough jobs because he knows how to drive teams towards a common goal. Charles started in Bank of America’s Legal Department as an attorney for Global Corporate & Investment Banking. Soon, he was asked to lead Corporate Compliance, well before compliance became “cool” within our industry. As was typical for Charles, he often addressed topics before they became popular in order to best prepare the bank for the future.

As a market president for Charlotte and North Carolina, Charles has served on more civic and community boards that are, literally, too numerous to list. He is an advisor and mentor to our region’s greatest minds – and hearts. He often takes on “impossible” tasks: raising money, rescuing struggling organizations or projects. And being market president and corralling the likes of Hugh McColl, David Darnell, Andrea Smith and me? His greatest strength, however, might be his collaborator and wife: Mary Bowman. Mary is one of the most kind and thoughtful people you will meet. She always wants to hear how you and your family are doing and she has a knack for remembering everything you tell her. You can’t spend five minutes with Mary, Charles or their sons, John and Peter, without recognizing that their family values are core to who they are and everything they do. Together, Charles and Mary will continue to see that Charlotte rises to her full potential, just as they have helped us all achieve ours.

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(Excerpts from the ar ticle issued in Avanti magazine #1, October 2022.

Scan the QR code for the full version.)

OPERA CAROLINA

Season 2022-23 Classic Grand Opera Performed in the Classical Tradition

Education & Civic Engagement

Giacomo Puccini

Opera Xpress The Tortoise & the Hare

Tosca

The Stephanie and Howard Bissell Student Night at the Opera Program

The Gershwins ®

The Patricia and Marcelle Gorelick Ma Mere et Moi Program

January 22, 24, 26 & 28, 2023

Civic Engagement Artists & Council of Creatives

by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin

pARTnership CMS

Giuseppe Verdi

Youth Academy

October 13, 15 & 16, 2022

Porgy and Bess® La traviata

April 20, 22 & 23, 2023

Voices Engaged Dialogues

Community Resident Company of Artists Art Poetry Music Concerts Family Opera Music Under the Stars PopUp Opera

Tickets

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