Brian Thorsett, as King Kaspar

Martin Bell, The Page

Trinity Lyric Opera's first-ever

"Opera in the Park"

a huge success!

In California, the old saying "what a difference a day makes" is especially fitting: on Friday night and Saturday morning, Oct. 3rd and 4th, the first weather front of the season moved in to the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing with it some much needed rain to a drought-stricken land, and threatening to dampen operatic spirits as well for TLO's first-ever Opera in the Park. But on Sunday morning, October 5th, a beautiful, warm sun arose in Castro Valley, and continued to provide for a stunningly beautiful Fall afternoon, and a marvelous event for our greater Castro Valley community members. Trinity Lyric Opera's first outdoor event was planned as an outreach event to the many arts-minded residents of San Francisco's East Bay communities, and served to acquaint opera-goers with our plans for our Holiday season series of programs, and what it is that makes our Company unique. Opera in the Park is also TLO's way of giving back to our Community with the precious gift of music.

This young, tiny, daring company, as Janos Gereben of the SF Classical Voice puts it, assembled a cast comprised of the finest singers in the Bay Area to present works ranging from the classical to contemporary time periods. The afternoon put the spotlight on professional singers from our area and out-of-town, and included: Heather McFadden, Zachary Gordin, Lisa van der Ploeg, Jason Detwiler, Ellen St. Thomas, Ashley Knight, Gail Simpson, Dalyte Kodzis, and J. Raymond Meyers who stepped in at the last minute to sing in the Pearl Fishers duet, and the Rigoletto quartet. Detwiler, Meyers and Knight are veterans of previous Trinity Lyric Opera productions, "The Pilgrim's Progress," by Vaughan Williams, and Aaron Copland's "The Tender Land." Jason Detwiler, who sang the pivotal role of the Pilgrim in "The Pilgrim's Progress," and who is now a resident of Boise, Idaho, was able to participate while in town for rehearsals for an upcoming presentation across the Bay. His rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening" was a particularly poignant addition to our afternoon.

Trinity's Music Director, John Kendall Bailey emcee'd the program with his insightful notes and biographical sketches on each singer, and the noted accompanist, Ron Valentino provided a sensitive and rock-solid accompaniment from the keyboard. Handsome, printed programs were made available to all who attended, many of whom also enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch on the many picnic tables at the Park site. Deep gratitude goes to Pat Brandon, TLO's Technical Director, and to Neighborhood Church, in Castro Valley, for providing the sound equipment and a handsome platform stage for the program in the Footbridge picnic area of Cull Canyon Park.

Carmen Rusca of the VALLEY TIMES and Insidebayarea.com wrote: "Happy music aficionados such as Sal and Sylvia Tedesco brought along low chairs and refreshments and enjoyed solos, duets, some trios in a variety of languages — Italian, French, German and English. The eclectic music menu included Puccini and Rodgers and Hammerstein and Verdi performed by singers from around the Bay Area." Carmen continues: "A highlight of the show was mezzo-soprano Lisa van der Ploeg who sang a selection from 'Amahl and the Night Visitors.' Expect more opera later in the year when Alan Thayer and Trinity Lyric Opera presents a classic Christmas presentation, "The Gift of the Magi" and "Amahl and the Night Visitors" at the Performing Arts Center on Dec. 20 and 21."

Alan Thayer, Founder and Executive Director of TLO noted: "What a special afternoon we all enjoyed, and everything was truly memorable... the setting was beautiful and the singing was superb. We were especially thrilled to welcome all our local community members who attended and it was particularly heart-warming to chat with many of them as i was handing out programs. Events like this are crucial to fostering a personal and continuing bond with those who support TLO with their presence and in telling others about this wonderful Company, and for our first-ever event, I am tremendously encouraged."

The Board of Directors and Staff of TLO wish to thank all those who made our first-ever Opera in the Park event so succesful by their attendance and telling others of this event. It is our hope to double our attendance next year with more wonderful excerpts from the world of opera. Check our website regularly for information on our second annual Opera in the Park next Fall!

Help Trinity Lyric Opera

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Our attractive poster for "The Gift of the Magi" and "Amahl and the Night Visitors," is available for download. Posters are a great way to remember presentations from previous years ...more