LA Opera: La Traviata, Sunday September 21, 2:00 p.m

SAN MARINO, Calif. - Aug. 20, 2014 - PRLog -- The LA Operaseasonstarts with Giuseppe Verdi's classic romance, La Traviata, one of the most popular operas today. And the LA Opera Talk series at Crowell Library starts off in a very special way, with performances by soprano MARIANA RAMIREZ, singing selections from the opera in the role of Violeta, along with baritone ERIC CASTRO singing the role of Alfredo, with pianist ABRAHAM FABELLA accompanying.  The dazzlingly Art Deco-inspired LA Opera production at the Music Center features Placido Domingo in a Roaring Twenties setting.

Acclaimed by Review Plays as a "genuine opera star in progress, with a voice that has a rich quality and clarity," Mariana Ramirez is becoming widely recognized for her performances.  In the role of Antonia in Tales of Hoffman, she was claimed by Harbor Independent News as “the evening’s standout with her warm, luxurious voice that encompasses romantic and poignant moments with a sympathetic presence.” This season, she performed Lia in Debussy’s L’Enfant Prodigue and in Mozart’s Requiem as a soloist under the direction of James Vail.  She received her Master of Music degree with Distinction at California State University Northridge 2011 and Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance cum laude.

As a baritone soloist, Eric Castro has appeared multiple times at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Shrine Auditorium, Long Beach Carpenter Centre, Las Vegas Smith Center, and Redlands Bowl.  He was recently featured with the String Orchestra Project in Bach’s Cantata Ich Habe Genug, and with San Diego Festival Orchestra in Dvorak’s Te Deum.  Eric earned his B.A. from Yale University, where he studied art, music and drama; and his Juris Doctor from USC’s Gould School of Law.  Eric is a Corporate Partner in the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith Llp.

Accompanist Abraham Fabella is a composer, pianist, and conductor who received graduate degrees in composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and at the University of California, Riverside  and additional graduate training at UCLA.  Mr. Fabella is a much sought-after vocal coach and collaborative pianist.

Ray Busmann has worked as an artist and educator both in his native Germany and in Southern California for over 30 years. He enjoys sharing his passion for opera with audiences of all ages. This is Ray's third season as a volunteer Community Educator for LA Opera and he will undoubtedly reveal some fascinating facts in his presentation in the Library’s Barth Community Room.  Arrive a bit early as this program will undoubtedly fill up.  The program is free and open to all opera aficionados and first timers.  Light refreshments will be served.

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