LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Rotary Presents Opera in the Park


Sylvia Amorino Photos provided

Orinda Rotary Club has teamed up with a new partner, Solo Opera, to present the club's eighth annual Opera in the Park. The free performance, which usually attracts at least 1,000 people, will be presented from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 24 at the Orinda Community Park. It is an opportunity to hear professional opera singers perform favorite arias, duets and ensembles, which organizers say will thrill even non-opera lovers.

"We have assembled a truly spectacular line-up of talent," says Sylvia Amorino, Solo Opera's artistic director/producer and master of ceremonies for the concert. According to Amorino, the program includes singers who have performed at San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Opera San Jose and Carnegie Hall.

Solo Opera was founded in 2000, and has achieved wonderful success producing high quality operas at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek and other Bay Area venues. Their productions have been of the highest professional standards, receiving rave reviews and awards from the press.

Tenor Christopher Jackson from Lafayette will join the other performers that include: baritones William O'Neill and Torlef Borsting; mezzo-sopranos Silvie Jensen and Alexandra Jerinic; sopranos Diane Squires and Cass Panuska; tenor Alexander Boyer; and pianist Chun Mei Wilson.

Enjoying live opera has become so expensive that it's almost impossible for the average family to attend. Orinda Rotary's free Opera in the Park is a fine way to introduce children to opera, or even friends who might never go to see and hear live opera, organizers say. There is a running commentary on the works that the master of ceremonies shares so even the novice is aware of what and where the action is. The music chosen is very likeable, and the master of ceremony's short explanation of what is happening in each piece or section will make it even more enjoyable.

In addition to the music feast, Orinda Rotary will be selling bottled water and soda. The Rotary Club invites people to bring their entire family including children, a blanket and/or chairs and a picnic lunch. Free parking is available.

The Orinda Rotary Club was chartered in 1949 with a commitment to service Orinda and beyond. Its other activities this year include Miramonte High School Career Night, Jazz in the Park, Meals on Wheels, Tom Fitch Fishing Day for Oakland Boys and Girls Clubs, Frank Osola Field Day for Orinda's third, fourth and fifth graders, Orinda Spring Egg Hunt, Orinda Citizen of the Year, Four-Way Speech Contest for Miramonte students, Leadership Camps for Miramonte students, college scholarships for Miramonte students, and Winter Nights with Orinda Community Church.

For further information, contact Dick Marchick, who heads the Rotary opera team, at Rmarchick@comcast.net. For more information on Solo Opera, visit its website at www.soloopera.org.