Spearheaded by the chairperson, Ana Rosa Linde, the Saint Maur Parent Support Group (PSG) organized a magnificent free concert for students and parents on March 5, featuring international opera singer Spanish soprano Beatriz Fernandez-Campomanes and her colleague, renowned Brazilian tenor Roberto di Candido. Both professional performers are based in Japan and volunteered to perform at the school. Pianist Kazuyo Hoshi accompanied them.
Pieces were selected from various operas and performed by the artists in a variety of languages including Italian, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese. The program was entitled: “This is the World of Opera” and featured Habanera from Carmen by George Bizet, Quel guardo il cavaliere from Don Pascuale by Donizetti, O sole mio by Eduardo di Capua, Hamabe no Uta by Narita Tamezo, Duo Caballero del Alto Plumero from Zarzuela Luisa Fernanda by Federico Moreno Torroba, De España Vengo from Zarzuela el Niño Judio by Pablo Luna, Nessum Dorma from Turandot by Puccini, Meine Lippen, sie kussen so heis from Giuditta by Franz Lehar, and Brindisi della Traviata from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi.
Narrator Renee Alsandor introduced each piece with a short description to give the audience an understanding of each song’s context and genre.
PSG special guests included Mrs. Beatrice Correia do Lago, wife of the Brazilian Ambassador to Japan, and Mr. Aarom Baldiris, professional baseball player for Yokohama Baystars. An outstanding and rare educational opportunity was experienced by all who attended, and the artists received a standing ovation at the end of the program. — PHYLLIS ENGSTROM
