Opera company holds
first formal concert
By DANA
DUGAN
Express Staff Writer
The
fledgling Sun Valley Opera Company will hold its first formal concert this
Sunday, 8 p.m., at the St. Thomas Church in Sun Valley. Three world
renowned opera singers, and a pianist, will perform songs from a program
titled "From the Met to Broadway."
Susan
Gundunas will perform Sunday, 8 p.m., at St. Thomas Episcopal Church
in Sun Valley. Photo by Lisa Kohler
Company
founders Frank Meyer and Floyd McCracken encourage people to prepare for
Valentine’s Day by indulging in the sound of world class singers belting
out some of the most beloved love songs.
The first
half of the program features songs from "La Traviata,"
"Romeo & Juliet," "Merry Widow," "Rigoletto,"
and "Don Pasquale."
After an
intermission the second half features a mix of opera and Broadway tunes,
such as "Maria" from "West Side Story," "If Ever
I Would Leave You" from "Camelot" and "A Real Fine
Clambake" from "Carousel."
Singer
Susan Gundunas, a soprano from San Francisco, made her name in the opera
world by singing Carlotta in a year long production of "Phantom of
the Opera," in Hamburg, Germany. She has also sung with Opera Idaho,
Rimrock Opera in Billings, Mont., Nevada Opera, and Opera San Jose, among
many appearances.
Robert
McPherson, a tenor, has appeared with Opera Idaho, Dallas Opera, Spokane
Opera, the Mostly Mozart Festival, Opera Illinois, the Mexico City
Philharmonic, the Santa Fe Symphony, the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, the
Carmel Bach Music Festival and the New York’s Henry Street Opera
Company.
Accompanying
them on piano is Vivian Lu, who has played all over the world, including
the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Music Center, Carnegie Hall, the National
Concert Hall in Taiwan, and with the Boys’ Choir of Harlem. She is
currently associated with University of Southern California.
Tickets
cost $25 for adults and $12 for students under 18. They are available at
Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum. For further information, call 726-6446.