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Community Corner

Summer Music Series 2012 at Sands Point Preserve

“Americana Concert” on the Great Lawn - July 8

 “The Barber of Seville” - July 14 & 15
Performed in English

“La Bohème”  - August 11
Performed in Italian with English Supertitles

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The Summer Music Series 2012, presented by Friends of the Sands Point Preserve, opens with the acclaimed Garden State Philharmonic in “Americana Concert” on the Great Lawn on Sunday, July 8 at 4:00 pm, followed by the North Shore Music Festival in two opera favorites: Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” on July 14 and 15 and Puccini’s “La Bohème” on August 11 - in the air-conditioned piazza in Hempstead House. 

Organized by Daniel Klein, Executive Director of the North Shore Music Festival, and Anthony LaGruth, Artistic Director and Conductor of both companies, the singers and musicians involved in these productions represent the finest talent in opera as well as classical and popular symphonic music today.  Adults are encouraged to bring children to any and all of these performances – with discounted youth tickets for the opera (10 to 17 year olds) – it’s a perfect introduction to these exciting musical forms.

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The “Americana Concert” will be performed by an orchestra of 40 instruments and includes an exuberant mix of patriotic, pop, and Broadway music.  Historic Hempstead House and the Long Island Sound will provide a magical backdrop for the event.  Guests are invited to bring picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs – and take a spot on the Great Lawn for this exciting celebration of the 4th of July holiday.  In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held inside the enormous Castlegould Black Box Theater.

The next performances in the series are the North Shore Music Festival's productions of two magical operas – a comedy and a tragedy: "The Barber of Seville" on Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 3:00 pm and "La Bohème" on Saturday, August 11 at 7:00 pm.  These operas will be performed by an outstanding cast of young opera singers, accompanied by chamber orchestras inside historic Hempstead House.   The opera evenings begin with cocktails and dinner at 7:00 pm; performances at 8:00 pm, followed by dessert and coffee.  The matinee begins with wine & cheese and dessert & coffee at 3:00 pm, and the performance starts promptly at 3:30 pm.

“The Barber of Seville” is an Italian comedic masterpiece by Gioachino Rossini – it premiered in Rome in 1816.  The crafty Figaro will be played by Eric McKeever – this infamous character will be drawn into the misalliance of Dr. Bartolo (Robert Aaron Taylor) and Rosina (Allison Pohl, returning for her second season at the Sands Point Preserve).  As there are no surprises in opera, Figaro will, ultimately, help her escape to her true love, Count Almaviva (James Baumgardner). 

Perhaps the best known of all operas, Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” premiered in Turin in 1896.  The ill-fated lovers Mimi and Rodolfo will be played by Hannah Rosenbaum and Adam Cromer, respectively; their dear friends Musetta and Marcello will be played by Mary Petro and Adelmo Guidarelli.  The Palm Court at Hempstead House will provide a unique setting and excellent acoustics for this glorious music. 

Tickets prices for the Americana Concert:

 - Gate Admission: $25 per car – free for Friends of the Sands Point Preserve members.

- VIP Tickets: $20 per person, including preferred seating and parking in designated areas.

- Sponsorship: $250 includes 4 VIP tickets, gate admission, and quarter-page advertisement in the Summer Playbill.

Ticket Prices for the Operas:

- Single ticket: $80 Evening & $60 Matinee.

- 4 or more tickets to one or both operas: $75 Evening & $55 Matinee.

- Youth Tickets (ages 10 to 17): $30 Evening & $10 Matinee.

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 educational programs for families and schools in the new Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom.  For tickets and sponsorship information – and news about any of our programs, please call 516-571-7901, email info@friendsspp.org, and see www.thesandspointpreserve.com.

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