A Picnic and Opera in a Vineyard

Livermore Valley Opera

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:
Heidi Massie
LVO Publicist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2014

A Picnic and Opera in a Vineyard

A Relaxed Summer Evening of Music and Wine to Benefit Opera

LIVERMORE, CALIF. – What better way to enjoy a summer evening than picnicking in a vineyard, sipping wine and listening to opera? It is an evening of classic opera in a relaxed, casual setting nestled among the vines of Retzlaff Vineyards for Livermore Valley Opera’s 22nd annual Opera in the Vineyard. Details are as follows:

Opera in the Vineyard

Sunday, July 20, 2014; 5pm- 8pm

Retzlaff Vineyards, 1356 South Livermore Avenue, Livermore

$35 in advance through July 8; $45 after July 8.

“The annual Opera in the Vineyard has become a popular community event,” says Raquel Holt, LVO founder and this year’s event co-chairperson. “Our supporters and many come each time, enjoy the high quality of the talented opera singers, the wonderful program, and the lovely vineyard setting.”

This benefit event for LVO offers a chance for the community to enjoy arias from classic operas performed by professional singers in an informal setting. It is a “bring-your-own-picnic dinner” event where guests can purchase the organically-made wines of Retzlaff Vineyards while enjoying performances by professional opera singers.

“It is always wonderful to see our supporters enjoy themselves in an informal, casual event as they listen to beautiful arias being performed by LVO’s talented principal singers,” adds Holt. “From their picnic baskets, our guests take out a spread of delectable culinary delights to share, and to hear the clinking of wine glasses as they happily make a toast to each other is a delight to see. Of course, the scenic Retzlaff Vineyards is the perfect venue!”

Arias a la carte

Once again, LVO will offer the extremely popular “Arias a la carte” portion of the program when guests have the opportunity to purchase songs from a “menu of arias” for the singers to perform at the purchaser’s table or seating area. This year’s singers are soprano Marie Plette (Mimi in LVO’s La bohème), tenor Christopher Bengochea (Don Jose in LVO’s Carmen) and baritone Krassen Karagiozov (Shaunard in LVO’s La bohème). Accompanying the singers is pianist Chun Mei Wilson.

Reservations and Early Bird Savings – Sell out expected

Early bird reservations for $35 through July 8 can be made online at www.livermorevalleyopera.com, or by calling the information line at (925) 960-9210. After July 8, the cost is $45 if space is still available as this event is expected to sell-out. Reservations for tables of eight can be reserved in a company or family name.

Raffle, silent auction and additional information

Adding to the festivities will be a raffle drawing and silent auction, including spectacular desserts for guests to enjoy after their picnic.

While Retzlaff wine will be available for purchase, no outside wine is permitted. Guests are encouraged to carpool.

Visit LVO’s website www.livermorevalleyopera.com for more event information.

About the Performers

Marie Plette

American soprano Marie Plette is acclaimed in the major opera houses of North America and Europe for her compelling portrayals from Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly to Love Simpson in Cold Sassy Tree and the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro. Her recent performances of Madama Butterfly prompted the New York Times to remark, “The opera did partake of the other great unifying factor here: a star turn, by Marie Plette in the title role.” Immediately after winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 1992, Marie Plette was invited to make her Metropolitan Opera debut as the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte. She has performed frequently with the company since then in roles including Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Gutrune in Götterdämmerung, and Kristina in The Makropoulos Case. Most recently, she appeared singing five roles in the Berkeley West Edge Opera production, Legend of the Ring.

Christopher Bengochea is a prize winning international opera tenor who has been heralded as having “power, sure intonation, and fine diction that come in a package tied with a ribbon of ‘natural sound.’ He performed the title role in Idomeneo to enormous success. Jason Victor Serinus of Opera News says: “Tenor Christopher Bengochea’s dark-hued (voice)…conquered virtually every vocal hurdle Mozart set out for Idomeneo … Bengochea’s performance was exceptional.” Other engagements included Vasco da Gama in Meyerbeer’s L’Africaine for Opera Orchestra of New York and Rodolfo in Puccini’s La bohème. Christopher had been a Resident Artist of Opera San José, 2005-2008, where he performed Rodolfo in La bohème, the title role in Roméo et Juliette, Alfredo in La traviata, Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, the title role of Werther, the Duke in Rigoletto, and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte. Companies with which he has performed include: Opera San Jose, Atlanta Opera, Opera Idaho, Opera Canada, Center City Opera, Opera Company Brooklyn, Jarvis Conservatory, Intermountain Opera, Townsend Opera, Rimrock Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Pacific Repertory Opera, Livermore Valley Opera, West Bay Opera, Teatro Felice, Caramoor Opera, Tigulio Festival Opera, and Opera Santa Barbara.

Krassen Karagiozov

Baritone Krassen Karagiozov was born in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, where he began his musical studies as a pianist. He participated in and won international competitions in both piano and voice, including the “Tz. Diakovich” in Sofia. In addition to concert work as a collaborative pianist in Bulgaria, Turkey, and USA he appeared as baritone soloist for a recital and recordings for the Bulgarian National Radio. During the 2008 – 2009 season, he made his debut as a member of Opera San José’s resident principal artists, appearing in the title role of Eugene Onegin, Sgt. Belcore (The Elixir of Love), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) and Escamillo (Carmen). Roles performed recently by Mr. Karagiozov include Henry in The Gift of the Magi for Hidden Valley, Silvio in I Paggliacci, Gianni Schicchi for Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Marcello in La Boheme, Figaro in Barbiere di Siviglia, Angelotti in Tosca, Vronsky in Anna Karenina, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Dandini in La Cenerentola, Lescaut in Manon for OSJ.

Chun Mei Wilson, pianist/accompanist,hascollaborative projects that range from recitals with double-bass to marimba to coloratura soprano. Ms. Wilson apprenticed as a prompter at San Francisco Opera and for many seasons has accompanied for Festival Opera, North Bay Opera, and Martinez Opera. Ms. Wilson had the privilege of coaching Frederica Von Stade from 1997 until the mezzo’s Carnegie Hall farewell recital in 2010.

About LVO

Livermore Valley Opera was founded in 1992, and presents fully-staged operas in the spring and fall at the Bankhead Theater. The theater is located in Livermore in the Tri-Valley area, just 45 miles east of San Francisco. The Bankhead Theatre features excellent lines of sight and acoustics, helping the Opera to attract talented singers and stage directors.

LVO combines the talents of professional musicians, stage directors, principal singers, and designers with the dedication and practical abilities of volunteers filling such critical roles as board members, chorus, stage crew, and set builders to reach its artistic goals.

The mission of Livermore Valley Opera is to enrich the community by producing the world’s best operas, and to foster the careers of talented opera singers. LVO encourages a wider appreciation of opera and the associated arts.

Livermore Valley Opera is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.

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Heidi Massie
Communications Consultant

A Picnic and Opera in a Vineyard