Giulio Gari Foundation presents International Vocal Competition winners

September 30, 2015 By Nino Pantano Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Giulio Gari Foundation competition winners. Photos by Judy Pantano

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On the evening of Sunday, Sept. 20, the Giulio Gari Foundation introduced us to its International Vocal Competition 2015 winners. The event took place at the New York Athletic Club on Central Park South at 59th Street and Seventh Avenue. The program opened with official greetings by Paul Cohen, president; Stephen De Maio, artistic adviser; and Chair of the Board Gloria Gari.

Brian Kellow, the host for the evening, is the features editor for Opera News and the author of a newly released book “Can I Go Now?” about Hollywood’s first super-agent, Sue Mengers. Kellow presented a special award to Bernard Uzan, who was general and artistic director of the Montreal Opera from 1988 to 2002 and is married to soprano Diana Soviero.

Uzan acknowledged his award in a gracious speech. Since the other honoree, famed Metropolitan Opera mezzo Elina Garanca, could not attend, powerhouse Met mezzo Dolora Zajick stepped in and offered us “Voi lo Sapete, o Mamma” from Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana,” her sublime voice flooding the hall. Zajick sang an unforgettable “Santuzza” at Brooklyn’s Regina Opera early in her career. Now she belongs to the world.

The program, consisting of young honorees, began with Cynthia Cook, whose creamy mezzo beguiled us in the “Seguidilla” from “Carmen.”

Alasdair Kent enchanted us with his wistful, silvery tenor in “Dal Labbro il Canto” from Verdi’s “Falstaff.” With his good looks and Aussie accent, he is a perfect “tenore di grazie.”

Heather Phillips sang “Depuis le Jour” from Charpentier’s “Louise” on a thread of spun gold, her lustrous soprano evoking the colors of Paris.

Jamez McCorkle sang a sprightly “Questa o Quella” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” his agile tenor easily conquering the vocal hurdles of this popular selection.

Tenor Yi Li and baritone Szymon Komasa offered us a beautifully crafted duet “Au Fond du Temple Saint” from Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers.”

“Chil il Bel Sogno di Doretta” from Puccini’s operetta “La Rondine” was superbly sung by soprano Vanessa Vasquez.

Jeffrey Hoos sang a compelling and dreamlike “Oh du Mein Holder Abendstern” from Wagner’s “Tannhauser.” His easing so beautifully into his upper register made one think both Helden baritone and Verdi baritone.

Raquel Suarez Groen and Galeano Salas thrilled us with “O Soave Fanciulla” from Puccini’s “La Boheme,” he of an ardent and sweet tenor, she of a poignant soaring soprano. They completed their new “merger” by walking out of the room arm in arm and hitting a high C.

Dominick Chenes used his bright sterling tenor to captivate the audience with “Recondita Armonia” from Puccini’s “Tosca.” The finale, with its penetrating high notes, was sung with ardor and ease.

J’nai Bridges, recently profiled in Opera News, sang the Habanera from “Carmen. Bridges’ lush warm mezzo smoldered and evoked memories of past greats.

Jared Bybee, baritone, and Andre Courville, bass-baritone, sang the “Suoni La Tromba” duet from Bellini’s “I Puritani” and gave the audience a real adrenalin rush with cadenzas, fioritura and manly grace right up to a rousing finale.

The superb accompanists for the concert were Jonathan Kelly and Arlene Shrut.

We then were led to the main dining room, where a sumptuous dinner awaited us and offered a chance to “meet and greet” the young scholarship winners and dignitaries.

A tribute was paid to the late great Giulio Gari (1909-1994) with a tape of him eloquently singing “Quando le Sere al Placido” from Verdi’s “Luisa Miller” and a stirring version of the Lord’s Prayer. Gari sang at the New York City Opera from 1945-53 and at the Met 1953-61, and was a beloved teacher of voice as well.

Among the opera “glitterati” were Stage Director Scott Barnes, the aforementioned Dolora Zajick, Conductor Jan Wnek, who served as music director at St. Anthony of Padua in Brooklyn early in his career; Met Opera legend soprano Elinor Ross, Brooklyn-born New York City Opera soprano and NBC Opera Elaine Malbin, conductor Eve Queler, renowned Met singers mezzo Rosalind Elias and soprano Diana Soviero, and acclaimed Met Opera tenor Riccardo Tamura and his wife Dagmar. At our table was the aforementioned Steven De Maio; his sister Marie, a New Jersey teacher for over half a century; Karl Michaelis presenter and patron, Michael Fornabaio; and Corneila Beigel and Joyce Greenberg, patron/presenters. It was a pleasure to meet Sachi Liebergesell, president of the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, Murray Rosenthal and Philip Hagemann from Opera Index, New Opera Index President and Met mezzo Jane Shaulis; spouse Joe Gasperec; Vice President and Brooklynite Janet Stovin; and opera manager/radio host Ken Benson, also from Brooklyn. It was nice to chat with Yolanda Stivanello of the famed Stivanello costumes.

Chair Gloria Gari truly is the light that leads the way on the path created by her late husband, which lives on through the efforts of the Giulio Gari Foundation. Most importantly, it is the young awardees who give us hope for opera in the future.