Martina Arroyo Foundation celebrates 10th anniversary

December 1, 2014 By Nino Pantano Special to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Conductor and Awardee Willie Anthony Waters with Opera legend Martina Arroyo. Photos by Sarah Merians Photography

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On the evening of Nov. 17, the Martina Arroyo Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Essex House on Central Park South. Cecilia Teng, Gala chair, welcomed everyone and introduced Midge Woolsey from PBS and Brian Kellow from Opera News.

The program began with Robert Kerr, baritone, singing “Si puo” from “The Prologue” to “Pagliacci” by Leoncavallo. Kerr sang with a fine baritone voice, leaving the audience with a ringing A flat at the finale.

Unannounced, surprise guests also attended the event. Doretta’s song from Puccini’s “La Rondine” was beautifully sung by soprano Yunnie Park; Nicole Haslett sang an exquisite Nanetta’s aria from Verdi’s “Falstaff.”

Additionally, Michele Angelini, fresh from his triumphant debut at Covent Garden, used his versatile tenor in a thrilling aria, “Ah il piu lieto” from Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia,” and dazzled the audience with his strong and flexible tessitura and stage presence. Andrew Cummings regaled us with “Se vuol ballare” from Mozart’s the “Marriage of Figaro.” Brandie Sutton sang a song composed and accompanied by New School professor/composer Dr. Stefania de Kennessey called “My First Aida” for Martina Arroyo as “Aida” in a soprano that holds great promise.

Mark and Sadie Rucker were special honorees and hosted a segment discussing the 10 years of the Prelude to Performance series. The series includes fully staged and costumed operas that have been going on since 2005, tuition free since 2011 and will now offer stipends.

Mark Rucker is an internationally acclaimed baritone with his wife, Sadie, as his accompanist. Sadie is also in charge of publicity for Prelude to Performance.

Summer 2015 will feature “Madama Butterfly” and “La Fille du Regiment” as the 11th season Prelude to Performance.

The young artists then performed the “card scene” from “La Traviata,” “Alfredo! Voi!”

Cecilia Violetta Lopez was a radiant and touching Violetta, her sumptuous soprano; her poignant acting and intensity conquered the audience.

The Alfredo of Paul Han showed a tenor of sweetness and power. His youthful impetuosity made him all the more a tragic figure.

The “elder Germont” was in the hands of Robert Kerr. His baritone was in full bloom and had a nice cutting edge to it. Kerr’s admonishment to his son “Di sprezzo degno se stesso rende” as Germont had great impact.

Marisan Corsino’s rich mezzo and loving persona made for an exceptional Flora.

Samuel McDonald was excellent as the Baron. His warm expressive baritone was first rate.

John Callison as the Marchese sang and acted with abandon, his generous baritone replenished all.

Tyrone Chambers II showed a mellifluous tenor and good stagecraft.

The La Traviata chorus sang their hearts out: Marcelis Campo, soprano; Sidney Dixon, mezzo; Laura Folque, mezzo; Patricia Foster, mezzo; Stephanie Jabre, mezzo; Steven Kirby, bass; Kennis McGill, bass; Mark Nimar, tenor; Lawrence Noble, bass; and Alicia Waller soprano. Pianist Lloyd Arriola made one think there was an entire orchestra.

World famous tenor and honored guest Lawrence Brownlee sang “Una furtiva lagrime” from Donizetti’s “Elisir d’amore,” in the style of the legendary Bel Canto tenors — with some magical embellishments and a lovely cadenza before the finale. Brownlee recalled that when he was a novice and Martina a star, Martina helped him apply his makeup and was always there for him.

Alexandra C. Cohn presented an award to Opera Index, and it was accepted by President Murray Rosenthal, who praised their collaboration. Executive Director Joseph Gasperec, Met mezzo Jane Shaulis, Vice President Janet Stovin and others from Opera Index cheered.

Edward Sadovnik presented an award to renowned fashion designer Nanette Lepore, whose dresses are known for their bold colors, evocative prints and signature silhouettes. They are a worn by Michelle Obama, Scarlett Johansson and Taylor Swift to name a few.

Martina Arroyo presented the Michel Maurel Award, named in memory of her late husband, to conductor Willie Anthony Waters.

There was a special performance called “Feelin’ Groovy!” by Cuban-American musician Paquito D’Rivera, a sax and clarinet virtuoso. He is also a composer and winner of many Grammy awards. His wonderful piano accompanist was fellow Cuban-American Adonis Gonzalez.

Also in attendance were Advisory Board member Stephen De Maio, Ken Benson, Karl Michaelis, Eve Queler, Sachi Liebergesell, Barbara Testa, Gloria Gari, Michael Fornabaio and Robert Lombardo, courtesy of the Gerda Lissner Foundation.

Additionally, the renowned actress Tyne Daly, Met tenor and vocal coach Richard Leech and Met tenor Anthony Laciura, a fellow Sicilian and member of the Board of Directors, were in attendance. This was a crowd of people from the world of Broadway, fashion and opera including the Opera News Editor-in-Chief F. Paul Driscoll, who once hosted an opera show on Brooklyn cable.

The program ended with the young singers singing a spirited “Libiamo” from La Traviata.

“Don’t thank me, thank [the young singers] — their efforts inspired all of this,” Martina Arroyo said as she was surrounded by adoring students and admirers.

Arroyo is a sublime artist, Kennedy Center awardee and former schoolteacher. Her father, Demetrio, was an engineer at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and was able to support his family and assist Martina in her quest to become an opera singer.

Arroyo said her strong and cherished belief is to “give something back.”