Opera Connecticut to Present 'American Opera Idol'

From Laura Soll Public Relations, LLC: Ten (10) finalists from around the world (see below) will sing for expert judges, with the live audience ultimately voting for the top winner – just like the popular ‘Idol’ TV show! A Preliminary Round will be judged by International tenor Robert Brubaker and soprano Lynne Strow Piccolo. They will select four (4) Super Finalists who again will perform, and audience members will vote by text to choose the “American Opera Idol 2017.” The top winner will be awarded $1,500, with other cash prizes for the other Super Finalists. Opera Connecticut created this unique live showcase for opera singers eight years ago.

• “American Opera Idol 2017” Live Competition
• Thursday, July 20, 2017
• 7 p.m.
• At the Pond House Café in Elizabeth Park
• 1555 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, CT

Opera Connecticut, creator of the unique “American Opera Idol” eight years ago, presents this “sing off.”

Advance purchase of audience tickets is strongly recommended: go here or call Showclix at 888-718-4253. Tickets are $35 per seat; or $55 per seat with a box supper.

For more information about Opera Connecticut’s “American Opera Idol 2017”, go here or call Artistic Director Doris Lang Kosloff at 860-306-5100.

The 10 Finalists (in alphabetical order) are:

• Stefan Barner (tenor) of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Boston, Mass.;
• Kelly Curtin (soprano) of Wilmington, Del. and Alexandria, Va.;
• Andrés Moreno García (tenor) of Monterrey, Mexico and Berlin, Germany;
• Benedetta Orsi (mezzo soprano) of Bologna, Italy and Manhattan, NY;
• Kaarin Phelps (mezzo soprano) of Ashburnham, Mass. and Houston, Texas;
• Yulan Piao (soprano) of China and Manhattan, NY;
• Timothy Renner (baritone) of Woodbridge, Va. and Philadelphia, Pa.;
• Joseph Ryan (baritone) of Cincinnati, Ohio and Sarasota, Fla.;
• Rachele Schmiege (soprano) of Kalamazoo, Mich. and Boston, Mass.; and
• Brent Reilly Turner (tenor) of Singapore and Oviedo, Fla.

Opera Connecticut produces full-length staged operas performed by singers from around the world. Founded in 1991, the company initially presented productions only in traditional concert format. In 2012, it adopted a fully staged format with props, costumes, lighting and stage direction. Since then, Opera Connecticut has produced a full-length opera every year, along with the “American Opera Idol” contest, children’s operas, special concerts and gala events. Performances feature members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. A volunteer Board of Directors manages the 501(c)3 organization.

Click here to see this event on the Patch Calendar.

Imaga via Laura Soll Public Relations, LLC