Summer Opera Returns to Sands Point Preserve

Summer opera is back at Sands Point Preserve, as part of an ongoing music series with live performances in July and August in Castle Gould’s Great Hall.

On July 11, The North Shore Music Festival returns to the Preserve to perform Pietra Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana.” This classic verismo opera looks at a Sicilian love triangle, murder and betrayal – all in one act. “It is a fantastic and very melodic score, with a wonderful contrast from intimate moments to some larger grand scale moments in the ‘Regina Coeli,’” said Daniel Klein, the festival’s executive director, referring to a hymn from the opera.

Opera lovers will recognize some familiar faces this summer at the Preserve. For instance, Eric McKeever who first performed with the festival as Figaro in “Barber of Seville,” is this year taking on the two roles of Gianni Schicchi and Michele in Tabarro – “a real tour de force,” Klein said. Adam Cromer who sang Rodolfo with the festival in “La Boheme” will sing Rinuccio in “Gianni Schicchi” and Luigi in “Il Tabarro.” Julie Hamula, who sang Gilda last summer in “Rigoletto,” will sing Lauretta in “Gianni Schicchi.” Hannah Spierman, who sang Mimi in “La Boheme” will sing Georgetta in “Il Tabarro.“ Klein will return as Alfio and Adam Klein as Turridu in “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Both operas are conducted by Anthony LaGruth.

This year’s summer music series also includes cabaret, with Broadway Showstoppers II on July 18 and Aug. 8 – an all new Tiger/Fried production – and an evening of Shakespeare on Aug. 1, an Arena Players production. The series is part of the ongoing cultural arts program at Sands Point Preserve, where membership helps protect the site’s historic buildings and grounds.

Tickets to each performance in the 2015 Summer Music Series are $50. Each all-inclusive evening features the performance, a glass of wine, soft drinks and coffee and dessert. The doors open at 7:45 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m.

Friends of the Sands Point Preserve is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect and preserve the 216-acre waterfront grounds and historic mansions and to provide a range of cultural arts events and educational programs for families and schools in the Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom. 


For information about the Sands Point Preserve and to purchase a 2014 Annual Pass see www.TheSandsPointPreserve.com, call 516-571-7901or visit the Gate House at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY, 11050, open daily in summer from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.