TUTTO ITALIANO AT THE WHITNEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

I attended Opera Notte at the Whitney Center for the Arts on Sunday afternoon.  The room was filled with fellow Opera fans for an afternoon of Italian Arias.  Kara Delmer put together a wonderful show

along with Ron Ramsey on piano,  Courtney Clark on Violin, and Jessica Passetto, John Delmer, Joe Sicotte and Kara Delmer singing.

As the guests were seated and ordering from the Bistro Menu in preparation for the show I noticed John with an apron on, pouring wine and serving guests. knowing he usually sings I asked him if he was  singing today?  He replied "Not today".  I was amazed when he began singing "Bella Notte" as a waiter.

Ghazi Kazmi came out and introduced John Delmer after his performance, welcomed the audience and thanked them for being there and announced upcoming shows.  He then introduced Kara Delmer who spoke about the book "24 Italian Songs" leading into a performance of "Nel Cor piu Non Mi Sento" where she involved an audience member as she sang as she often does.

Tenor Joseph Sicotte then performed "Sebben Crudele" accompanied by Ron Ramsey on Piano and Courtney Clark on Violin after which he introduced guest singer Jessica Passetto who sang "Se Tu M'ami". It was really an enjoyable day for Italian speakers and non speakers alike.

The newest addition to the Whitney Center family ~ Courtney Clark from New Hampshire, played Verdi's  "Va Pensiero" on Violin accompanied by Ron Ramsey on Piano.  This piece of course wasn't vocal but Courtney made her instrument sing!

Jess Passetto followed by introducing four Mozart Arias.  She began with "Voi che Sapete" followed by Joe singing "Un Aura Amorosa".  John Delmer then came out and spoke about Don Giovanni, giving us background before entertaining us.

Singing to Elvira as Leporello, he exposes his masters numerous conquests.  As he sings he coyly  shows images from his tablet  of various women to the audience from Marilyn Monroe, to Paula Dean and Betty White to name a few, which got roars of laughter.

Jess and Kara followed with "Duet of Sull Aria" from Figaro. Accompanied by Courtney and Ron on violin and piano after which Kara introduced the next phase of the show which was a series of popular Neopolitan Songs.

Ron Ramsey delighted the audience with various renditions of songs from "The GodFather" from his seat at the Piano singing "Promise Me You'll Remember" and sharing little tidbits of information about the songs.

Kara and Joe followed Ron with a Duet from the movie "The Quest for Camelot" which was just spectacular!  John Delmer was very theatrical with his rendition of "That's Amore" once again engaging the audience before all of the members gathered to sing "Finiculi, Finicula".

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon for Opera Fans old and new!

AN EVENING AT THE WHITNEY WITH RON RAMSAY AND SAMANTHA TALORA & SPECIAL GUESTS

I had the pleasure of catching Samantha Talora & Ron Ramsay with Special Guest Michael Gillespie featuring the Brightest Young Talent of the Berkshires on Saturday, September 20th at the Whitney Center for the Performing Arts.

                                     
There was quite a crowd when I arrived, the people engaged in friendly conversation as waitstaff came around to take orders for wine and morsels to nibble on during the show.  Ghazi Khami greeting guests as we all prepared ourselves for a highly anticipated evening of Show Tunes from Oliver, Bye, Bye Birdie, Follies, Charlie Brown and The Secret Garden.


                                   

Ron Ramsey, Music Director at the Whitney Center for the Arts as well as St. Ann's Church in Lenox, MA. and  Samantha Talora, a local singer,  did a wonderful job entertaining the  guests with their banter.  The addition of    Michael Gillespie on Sax and Flute, Hannah Morley,15, Allysa Morley, 13, along with Maxine Leger, 12 and Lelia Gillespie 8, were a wonderful combination for a great evening at the Whit!

Sam and Ron have a great energy both musically and socially ~ and did a great job of engaging the audience throughout the evening.  They began the evening with "Something's Coming" and broke into "Isn't It Romantic".

Once we were warmed up a bit Michael Gillespie joined them on Sax for an awesome rendition of Alright, Okay, You Win, which was my all time favorite of the evening.  Alyssa and Maxine hit the stage with both feet with a very theatrical duet, followed by Samantha doing a beautiful ballad "I Think It is Going to Rain Today".

I was absolutely blown away when 8 year old Lelia Gillespie, daughter of Michael, the Sax/Flute player came out, just a head higher than the piano to perform "The Girl I Mean to Be" from the Secret Garden.  She sang like an angel, engaged the entire room and was rewarded with a soda for a job well done at the end of the evening.

The evening continued to be a wonderful way to spend a night the finale was amazing with everyone joining in with "Consider Yourself" from Oliver.  Following the performance delicious cake was served to the audience and I caught up with the amazing guest performers.

Hannah, Maxime, Allysa and Lelia, guest performers at the Whitney Center for Performing Arts

Sisters Allysa and Hannah Morley  have been singing together for six years. Maxime Leger  has been singing with the sisters in the Church Choir at St. Anne's Church for a number of years.  Lelia Gillespie, daughter of Michael (Sax and Flute), has a wonderful time singing as well as is evident by the twinkle in her eye and the smile on her face!

It delights me to see the Whitney Center for the Performing Arts benefiting our community through Art and Music by bringing such a diverse range of Talent to our attention.  I look forward to seeing future Musical Events at the Whitney as each one unfolds.

The Whitney Center For the Arts is located at 42 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield and I recommend you make your reservations early to ensure a seat for these very entertaining events!  Hope to see you there!