WOODBURY >> The Wood-bury-based ConnecticutSummer Opera Foundation,in collaboration with theConnecticut Virtuosi Sum-mer Music Festival and theConnecticut Lyric Opera,have planned a special eve-ning in late August to de-light opera lovers. A newproduction of the famedBaroque opera, Orfeo edEuridice, by ChristophWillibald Gluck, will beperformed at Southbury’sJewish Federation Audito-rium in Southbury, on Sat-urday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Orfeo ed Euridice (Or-pheus and Eurydice) is thefirst of Gluck’s reform op-eras, collaborations withthe librettist Ranieri de’Calzabigi, in which com-

poser and poet aimed at a“noble and classical sim-plicity,” avoiding whatGluck described in hispreface to another of hisoperas, Alceste, as the“abuses of excessive orna-mentation and other el-ements that pandered tothe vanity of singers.”

Instrumental versions ofthe opera, which have ap-peared over the years in avariety of other arrange-ments, and have alwaysincluded the famed “Danceof the Blessed Spirits,” pre-ceded in the opera by thecontrasting “Dance of theFuries.”

Most moving is the la-ment of Orpheus whenEurydice has died a sec-ond time, “Che farò senza

Euridice”. (“What am I todo without Eurydice”).

Featured in this perfor-mance are mezzo-sopranoSolmaaz Adeli in the lead-ing role of “Orfeo”, so-prano Heather O’Connoras “Euridice” and so-prano Stephanie Foster as“Amore.”

The production is fur-ther enriched by a fullchorus, and ballet inter-ludes by the young Nica-raguan–American dancerand choreographer JairoAlejandro Ulloa Zepeda, aformer principal dancer ofthe Mystic Ballet.

Adeli’s career highlightsinclude performances atthe Special Olympics WorldGames in Los Angeles 2015,the Asheville Lyric Opera’s

Winter Gala, and commem-oration of the 50th Anni-versary of The Sounds ofMusic held by the US Em-bassy of Vienna. Ms. Adelihas studied at the Konser-vatorium für Musik undDramatische Kunst in Vi-enna, the Opernschule inGraz, with master classesat the Mozarteum in Salz-burg, and Opera Studio inTurin, Italy. .

S o p r a n o H e a t h e rO’Connor has been de-scribed as having “a lu-minous voice” and a bril-liant stage presence. Ms.O’Connor has sung exten-sively in oratorio and op-era, and has performedthroughout New Englandwith various opera compa-nies. She has performed at

Carnegie Hall, SymphonyHall, The Palace Theater,Tanglewood, and JordanHall. Ms. O’Connor com-pleted her Master’s De-gree in Vocal Performanceat the New England Con-servatory of Music, BostonMassachusetts. She alsoholds a Bachelors degreefrom Keene State College.

Opera lovers shouldnote that the fully stagedproduction will be sungin Italian with projectedEnglish supertitles. Theproduction is coordinatedand staged by Prof. Ju-rate Svedaitr, and accom-panied by the ConnecticutVirtuosi Institute Orches-tra, conducted by the In-stitute’s Artistic DirectorMaestro Adrian Sylveen.

The Jewish Federation Au-ditorium is fully air-con-ditioned.

All tickets are $20and can be purchased athttps://thevirtuosi.tick-etleap.com/orfeo/ or atwww.ctsummeropera.org.For more information, goto www.institute.thevir-tuosi.org or call 860-351-3135.

The Southbury presen-tation is made possible inpart by Connecticut Sum-mer Opera Foundation, theConnecticut Office of theArts and the ConnecticutCommunity Foundation.

Story contributed byConnecticut SummerOpera Foundation,Woodbury.

CONNECTICUTSUMMEROPERAFOUNDATION

Orfeo ed Euridice presented Aug. 27

THOMASTON >> The mu-sic of American legend,Johnny Cash, comes aliveon stage in the musical,Ring of Fire, at the Land-mark Community The-atre at Thomaston OperaHouse.

The musical covering32 of country rock legendJohnny Cash’s hits, opensSaturday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m.With a small cast of five,this unique concert-styleproduction uses Cash’smusic to tell the remark-able story of his life.

Though never imper-sonated, each characterrepresents Cash at differ-ent stages of his career,allowing the audience totravel back through timeas they progress throughhis songs, hit after hit.Under the direction of JimLuurtsema of Torrington,with music direction byMatt Albert of Manches-ter, both veterans of the

theater’s stage, Ring ofFire is a crowd-pleasingsalute to Cash, consideredto be one of the most in-fluential musicians of the20th century.

Starring Payton Turpinof Harwinton, Lori Holmof Southington, Rob-ert Saunders of Thomas-ton, Edward Rosenblattof Southington, and Mi-chael Conroy of Harwin-ton, performances will beheld Sept. 3, 9, 10, 16, 17at 8 p.m. and Sept. 4, 10,18 at 2 p.m. on the Thom-aston Opera House mainstage.

For more informationon tickets and group sales,contact or visit the BoxOffice at 860-283-6250,open Monday – Fridayfrom 1-6 p.m. and Satur-day from 1-4 p.m. at 158Main Street Thomaston.Or purchase tickets on-line: www.landmarkcom-muntytheatre.org.

LANDMARKCOMMUNITYTHEATRE

Ring ofFire opensSept. 3

PHOTO BY KATE LUURTSEMA

The cast of Ring of Fire, standing, from left, are EdRosenblatt, Mike Conroy and Payton Turpin; and

seated, Lori Holm and Robert Saunders.

matthewsgroupre.com

860-868-0511Coveted Taunton Hill Location

Walk to Rock Ridge Country Club. Antiquecharm with many renovations. Extensive stoneterraces, garden vignettes and mature plantings.5 brs, guest cottage, sep gym. Stunning!

New Price $895,000

Amazing Lake Frontage!Winterized Bantam Lake cottage. Renovatedkitchen, 3 bedroom, 2 baths, fireplace, screenedporch and large lawn area. 2 lots with 72+/- ft. oflake frontage.

New Price $525,000

South Kent’s Estate AreaPrivate enclave surrounded by flat land andgorgeous lawn. Great room w/ huge windows,vaulted ceiling and 2 story fieldstone fireplace.4-5 bedrooms. Large kitchen, game room.

New Price $795,000

Renovated Washington ColonialLarge flat yard, mature landscaping and originalstonewalls. Open floor plan with entertainingspaces that lead to wrap around deck. 4 bedrooms,2-1/2 baths. Separate 26’x 24’ barn.

New Listing $549,000

Bantam River FrontageNewly renovated Litchfield 3 br w/ open floor plan. Vaultedceilings, walls of windows, skylights and large stonefireplace. Wrap around deck overlooking river. Separateapt for guests or income potential. Agent/Owner.

Back on the Market $389,000

BEST Quarry Ridge CondoBest condo in Washington! 2 bedrooms on themain floor and a loft space with chair lift installed.Huge screened porch for relaxing and dining.New mechanicals, generator + a 2 car garage.

New Listing $475,000

Summer Sensations!

LIVING» countytimes.comFriday, August 19, 2016 >> MORE AT TWITTER.COM/THELTC AND TWITTER.COM/THELITCHFIELDCOUNTYTIMES

A11