SCCA show mixes opera, Broadway

Published 8:34 pm Wednesday, February 9, 2011

An evening of opera and Broadway is coming to Suffolk.

The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts has rounded up three professional vocalists to visit on Saturday at 8 p.m. The artists will perform in the center’s Taylor Ballroom, with guests seated at tables throughout the room.

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“This is a unique opportunity for people to enjoy extraordinary opera arias and their favorite Broadway melodies sung in a marvelously intimate setting,” said Bonnie Jo Brashares, marketing and development associate at the center. “Anyone who enjoys top vocal performances will enjoy this because it’s going to be intimate, up-close and personal.”

The singers will be Anya Berg, Michael O’Halloran and Sarah Williams.

Berg is a resident artist this season at the Virginia Opera, where she is performing in “Cosi fan Tutte” and “Madama Butterfly.” Berg has performed in Germany and Spain and has been a regular participant in the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv. Her solo performances include “Gloria,” “Vesperae Solennes” and “Stabat Mater.”

O’Halloran, a baritone, also currently performs with the Virginia Opera. He previously has performed the roles of Demetrius in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Vernon in “Summer and Smoke,” Pisandre in “Penelope,” Tom in “The Telephone” and the sorceress in “Dido and Aeneas.”

O’Halloran has appeared as a featured soloist at the Aspen Music Festival and received first place in the student division of the Chicago Bel Canto competition. He currently is pursuing a master’s degree in classical voice at the Manhattan School of Music.

Sarah Williams, a mezzo-soprano, has sung with the Israel Opera, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Contemporary Chamber Opera and the American Lyric Theater of New York City.

She has portrayed the role of Veruca Salt in Peter Ash’s “The Golden Ticket” and Anna in “A Month in the Country.” She holds a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music.

Ticket-holders for the event will be able to listen to the music while enjoying complimentary coffee and sweets.

“Rather than sitting in a theater and viewing them on stage, they’re going to be sitting down sipping cocktails or coffee and enjoying fabulous singing,” Brashares said. “It’s amazing. It’s definitely an opportunity to spend time with your friends or with a loved one in an intimate setting.”

Tickets for the event are $25. Buy seats or reserve a table by calling 923-2900.