Concerto di Primavera on Flag Day

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - May 21, 2014 - PRLog -- Two part concert with feature Italian Opera and Songs and in celebration of Flag Day a second half features New American Youth Ballet with an all American flare. A bit of Puccini, Verdi, Stars and Stripes and Disney’s film Frozen amongst the featured pieces.

Saturday, June 14 -8 p.m.

St. John’s University, 300 Howard Avenue, Staten Island

The Riverside Opera Company, under the direction of Maestro Alan Aurelia announces a performance of “Concerto di Primavera on Flag Day” a mix of Italian Opera, Ballet and all American tunes on Flag Day Saturday, June 14 at St. John’s University Gymnasium, 300 Howard Ave, Staten Island.   Tickets are $15 advance $20 at door, $10 for seniors and Veterans, Students and Children admitted FREE!   For information call Riverside Opera Company at 212-729-4792.

Purchase tickets here….http://concertoprimavera.brownpapertickets.com

For this performance Riverside Opera Company is collaborating with the New American Youth Ballet under the direction of co-founder/choreographer Elizabeth Flores, a Staten Island resident.  In recognition of June 14 being Flag Day  the Staten Island  Army color guard will do a  presentation of the colors, National anthem and the Caisson song followed by the New American Youth Ballet will be dancing to "Let it Go" from the Movie Frozen, “Stars and Stripes Forever” by America’s March King John Philip Sousa.

Maestro Alan Aurelia commented on the program by saying, “The overall idea of "Concerto di Primavera" Song (opera) and dance (ballet) is to have an Italian - American celebration that features all Italian Opera and Songs followed by a second half of all American songs and dance in celebration of rich cultures of both Italy and the United States.”

Performers include: William Barone, tenor; Donald Boos,baritone; Zhana Alkhazova, soprano and Anita Lyons, soprano.

Expect a performance of the Triumphal March from Aida by G. Verdi orchestra and a mix of favorite Italian opera selections including Vesti la giubba from Pagliacci; Vissi d'arte from Tosca; Pari siamo from Rigoletto; In questa reggia from Turandot  and  Brindisi from La Traviata.

The New American Youth Ballet chorographer and Staten Island resident Elizabeth Flores selections from Les Sylphides  music by F.Chopin  and Paquita music by L. Minkus.  Also expect to hear"Let it Go" from the Disney’s film Frozen and Stars and Stripes Forever.

 About Riverside Opera Company (ROC)

Since 1996 the ROC (the only 501-c3 Staten Island based professional opera company) and has been consistently serving the greater community by performing high quality staged, costumed productions with full orchestra and English narration at low or no admission cost.

Because of this ROC attracts a large and diverse audience particularly people of lesser financial means, or who may be on fixed incomes and who simply cannot afford the - ticket price of other comparable sized productions on Staten Island.

ROC always performs in venues that are handicap accessible and to date has performed for more than 20,000 people.

ROC brings opera to students and directly involves students in the productions by having them sing and work alongside seasoned professional singers, directors and dancers during ROC rehearsals and performances. Many of these professionals have sung at the Metropolitan Opera, City Opera and European companies. Our students learn much from these experiences

ROC thanks St John’s University Office of Community Relations and the Italian Cultural Center at St John's for hosting this program.  The program is made possible in part through the Staten Island Arts with public funding from The NY State Council on the Arts and the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Con Edison, Northfield Bank Foundation and William and Sylvia Barone.

About the artists:

Zhanna Alkhazova, Soprano

The young Russian-American soprano Zhanna Alkhazova engagements during the 2013/14 season include her debut role as Nedda in I Pagliacci with New Rochelle Opera. She returned to sing Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with the Martha Cordona Theater. In addition to the Riverside Opera Company, she will be making her debut as Desdemona in Otello with Onyx Opera.

William Barone, Tenor

William Barone, recently featured in the Richmond County Orchestra Happy Birthday Bill, a tribute to Shakespeare’s 450^th birthday, is a Brooklyn tenor with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Temple University College of Music in Philadelphia. A stalwart performer with and supporter of our own Riverside Opera Company as well as a Liederkranz Wagner Competition finalist, he has also starred in such venues as the Wagner Opera Theater, the Pennsylvania Opera Festival,  the Shreveport Symphony, and the Grace Choral Society.

Donald Boos, Baritone

Donald Boos has appeared as a featured artist with many New York and New Jersey music and opera groups including: New Jersey State Opera, Empire Opera, Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Columbia University Glee Club, Sacred Heart Cathedral Orchestra of Newark, Coro Lirico, Masterwork Chorus, and the Choral Art Society of New Jersey

Anita Lyons, Soprano

American soprano Anita Lyons most recently performed the title role of Aïda and Sieglinde (Die Walküre) with New York Opera Forum, as well as Elsa (Lohengrin) with Amici Opera in Philadelphia.  Upcoming engagements include the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos with New York Opera Forum, and the Vier Letzer Lieder (Strauss) with the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Founded in 1997, the New American Youth Ballet is dedicated to make classical ballet accessible to children of all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds by offering lessons and performing opportunities by donation. With no audition required, our students experience the joy of dance and music by their involvement in full-length classical ballets. Our goal is to enhance the student’s self-image through instruction that nurtures the whole child in a healthy, uplifting and non-competitive environment.

Elizabeth Flores

NAYB Creative Director and Co-founder. Elizabeth studied on full scholarship and performed as soloist for the Bolshoi Ballet. Accepted to the London Royal Ballet School, and trained with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.